Why, when and how to update a meta-ethnography qualitative synthesis

Area of Science:

• Qualitative research methodology
• Health services research
• Evidence synthesis

Background:

• Meta-ethnography is a systematic qualitative synthesis method.
• It provides evidence on patient/clinician experiences and social phenomena.
• It contributes to health care policy and practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the lack of guidance on updating meta-ethnographies.
• To explore the rationale, timing, and methods for updating meta-ethnographies.
• To offer recommendations and a practical example for updating meta-ethnographies.

Main Methods:

• Exploration of reasons for updating meta-ethnographies.
• Examination of three distinct methods for updating analysis and synthesis.
• Evaluation of advantages and disadvantages of each update method.

Main Results:

• Meta-ethnography findings may become outdated due to changing contexts.
• Guidance on updating meta-ethnographies is currently limited.
• Three update methods are discussed with their respective pros and cons.

Conclusions:

• This article offers a novel contribution to meta-ethnography methodology.
• It provides practical guidance for researchers conducting updated meta-ethnographies.
• It emphasizes the importance of maintaining the relevance of qualitative evidence synthesis.