Qualitative Methods for Clinical and Health Services Research in Internal Medicine: Guidance and Key Considerations

Qualitative research is invaluable in internal medicine research as it allows for the amplification of patient, care partner, and provider voices in diverse and understudied regions and clinical contexts. The increasing interest and application of qualitative research methods in clinical and health services research points to a need for guidance to ensure methodological rigor and quality. This article offers practical direction for internal medicine investigators on how to design, implement, and report qualitative research. We summarize key considerations across study design, sampling, data collection, coding, analysis, and reporting, and highlight applied examples drawn from the Group Medical Visits (GMV) model. We selected the GMV model as an illustrative case given its growing use in primary and specialty care and its relevance to complex, team-based, patient-centered care in internal medicine. By integrating methodological principles with real-world applications, this paper demonstrates how qualitative research can enhance the evidence base in internal medicine and inform improvements in care delivery and health system implementation.