Qualitative outcome analysis: Evaluating nursing interventions for complexclinical phenomena

Purpose: To describe a method that allows evaluating nursing interventions derived from a qualitative research project, and that shows appropriate int erventions. Organizing Framework: Qualitative research has expanded over the last decad e and has contributed significantly to understanding patients' experiences of health, illness, and injury. Yet the value of qualitative research in de termining clinical interventions and subsequently evaluating the effects of these interventions on patients' outcomes has been limited. This method is used to confirm the efficacy of nursing interventions when experience chan ges over time, to extend the repertoire of intervention strategies, and to further clinicians understanding of possible outcomes. Design: From a completed study, Qualitative Outcome Analysis (QOA) enhances the identification of meaningful intervention strategies and plans for uti lization. The researcher identifies the type of qualitative data that will enable the interpretation and evaluation of interventions, devises a means of data recording and analysis, and finally, disseminates the findings. Conclusions: QOA is a systematic means to confirm the applicability of clin ical strategies developed from a single qualitative project, to extend the repertoire of clinical interventions, and to evaluate clinical outcomes.