The 'doctor' or the 'girl from the University'? Considering the influence of professional roles on qualitative interviewing

Background. Qualitative research methods are now recognized as valuable too ls for primary care. With the increasing emphasis on evidence-based medicin e and critical appraisal of published work, it is important that qualitativ e researchers are transparent about their methods and discuss the impact of the research process on their data, Objectives. To consider the impact of the professional background of resear chers on in-depth interviewing in primary care, Methods. We compare interactions between the interviewer and respondents in two qualitative interview studies of heart disease. Both samples consisted of 60 middle-aged men and women from a range of social backgrounds living in the West of Scotland. One study was conducted by a GP and the other by a sociologist. Results. Some interview interactions were common to both researchers; for e xample, interviews were often regarded by respondents as therapeutic. Howev er, some interactions seemed to be related to the researcher's professional background. The GP's perceived higher status led to obscuring of her perso nal characteristics. The sociologist was often perceived as a 'young woman' rather than defined by her professional role. Thus respondents' perception s of the interviewer influenced the interview interactions. Conclusions. Appraising qualitative research depends on the transparency wi th which the research process is described. Awareness of professional backg round is particularly important for university departments of primary care (which often include doctors, nurses and social scientists) and should be c onsidered carefully in designing, carrying out and disseminating the result s of qualitative studies.