Qualitative Metasynthesis: A Research Method for Medicine and Health Sciences
Abstract
Qualitative Metasynthesis presents a research method developed for upcycling and synthesis of qualitative primary studies, aimed at researchers within medicine and health sciences.This book demonstrates how and why qualitative metasynthesis can be a method for reuse and expansion of medical knowledge. It presents the principles of metasynthesis as a qualitative research method, so that the reader can assess whether this is a research strategy that fits the aim of their study. The author offers practical advice for conducting research using this methodology. The presentation is illustrated by a study carried out by the author and collaborators, reflecting on real-life challenges and solutions as an example of meta-ethnography, one of the most frequently used strategies for qualitative metasynthesis. The author also looks at systematic reviews, a methodology developed within in the tradition of evidence-based medicine, discussing strengths, weaknesses and pitfalls of this methodology. Rooted in the interpretative paradigm, qualitative metasynthesis challenges several of the principles from the evidence-based medicine tradition, offering reflections on challenges when epistemologically very different methodologies intersect.This book should be considered essential reading for anyone carrying out qualitative research within the fields of medicine, health and social care.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Line-by-line coding of the results sections was carried out independently by two team members, who first coded two papers independently and compared to assess inter-coder agreement.
“Following best practice, [53] line-by-line coding of the results sections of eligible papers, which present the empirical data from the studies, was carried out independently by two team members, who first coded two papers independently and compared to assess inter-coder agreement.”
From Water, sanitation, and women’s empowerment: A systematic review and qualitative metasynthesis (2022) · cites this paper as [53]
Cites
Still being checked.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Water, sanitation, and women’s empowerment: A systematic review and qualitative metasynthesis
Caruso, B. A., Conrad, A., Patrick, M., Owens, A., Kviten, K., Zarella, O., Rogers, H., & Sinharoy, S. S. (2022) · PLOS Water · doi:10.1371/journal.pwat.0000026 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
Women's experience of infertility & treatment – A silent grief and failed care and support
Assaysh-Öberg, S., Borneskog, C., & Ternström, E. (2023) · Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare · doi:10.1016/j.srhc.2023.100879 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Rogan, J., Bucci, S., & Firth, J. (2024) · JMIR Mental Health · doi:10.2196/49577 · Cited by 62 · see citing works
Jarden, R., Jarden, A., Weiland, T. J., Taylor, G., Brockenshire, N., & Gerdtz, M. F. (2020) · Journal of Advanced Nursing · doi:10.1111/jan.14667 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Meshkovska, B., Scheller, D. A., Wendt, J., Jilani, H. S., Scheidmeir, M., Stratil, J. M., & Lien, N. (2022) · International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity · doi:10.1186/s12966-022-01246-8 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Sandham, M. H., Carey, M., Hedgecock, E., & Jarden, R. (2022) · Journal of Advanced Nursing · doi:10.1111/jan.15324 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Egan, S. J., Wade, T. D., Fitzallen, G., O’Brien, A., & Shafran, R. (2022) · Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy · doi:10.1017/s1352465821000357 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Metasynthesis: issues of empirical and theoretical context
Sim, J., & Mengshoel, A. M. (2022) · Quality & Quantity · doi:10.1007/s11135-022-01502-w · Cited by 39 · see citing works
A Guide for Accounting Researchers to Conduct and Report Systematic Literature Reviews
Hardies, K., Ohlrogge, F., Mentens, J., & Vandennieuwenhuysen, J. (2023) · Behavioral Research in Accounting · doi:10.2308/bria-2022-042 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Social recovery in substance use disorder: A metasynthesis of qualitative studies
Vigdal, M. I., Moltu, C., Bjørnestad, J. R., & Selseng, L. B. (2022) · Drug and Alcohol Review · doi:10.1111/dar.13434 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Patients' experiences of day surgery and recovery: A meta‐ethnography
Thoen, C. W., Sæle, M., Strandberg, R. B., Eide, P. H., & Kinn, L. G. (2023) · Nursing Open · doi:10.1002/nop2.2055 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Thorne, S. E. (2022) · Nurse author & editor · doi:10.1111/nae2.12036 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Meshkovska, B., Gebremariam, M. K., Atukunda, P., Iversen, P. O., Wandel, M., & Lien, N. (2023) · Implementation Science Communications · doi:10.1186/s43058-023-00454-y · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Øberg, G. K., Sørvoll, M., Labori, C., Girolami, G. L., & Håkstad, R. B. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1172578 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Selseng, L. B., Follevåg, B.-M., & Aaslund, H. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph181910219 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Joseph, G. (2024) · American Journal of Community Psychology · doi:10.1002/ajcp.12670 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Reime, M. A., Løseth, H.-M., Lindeman, S. K., Titlestad, K. B., Dyregrov, K., & Selseng, L. B. (2022) · Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs · doi:10.1177/14550725221085345 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Caruso, B. A., Snyder, J. S., Cumming, O., Mills, J. E., Gordon, B. A., Rogers, H., Freeman, M. C., & Wolfe, M. K. (2023) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077677 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Caruso, B. A., Snyder, J. S., O’Brien, L. A., LaFon, E., Files, K., Shoaib, D. M., Prasad, S. K., Rogers, H., Cumming, O., Mills, J. E., et al. (2025) · BMJ Global Health · doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2025-018927 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Work-life integration among nurse educators: a meta-synthesis
Erasmus, S., Downing, C., & Ntshingila, N. (2024) · Frontiers in Global Women s Health · doi:10.3389/fgwh.2024.1287484 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Malterud, K. (2022) · Scandinavian Journal of Public Health · doi:10.1177/14034948221093558 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Self-citationInpatients' experiences of falls: A qualitative meta‐synthesis
Jarden, R., Cherry, K., Sparham, E., Brockenshire, N., Nichols‐Boyd, M., Burgess, S., Grieve, K., Twomey, B., Walters, J., & Rickard, N. (2024) · Journal of Advanced Nursing · doi:10.1111/jan.16244 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
The Battle Within: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis of the Experience of the Eating Disorder Voice
Tragantzopoulou, P., Mouratidis, C., Paitaridou, K., & Giannouli, V. (2024) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare12222306 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Theorizing bodily dialogs – reflection on knowledge production in phenomenological research
Engelsrud, G. H., & Rosberg, S. (2021) · Physiotherapy Theory and Practice · doi:10.1080/09593985.2021.1923098 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Bell, L. V., Fitzgerald, S. F., Flusk, D., Poulin, P. A., & Rash, J. A. (2022) · Canadian Journal of Pain · doi:10.1080/24740527.2022.2156331 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Bavngaard, M. V., Lund, A. D., Thordardottir, B., & Rasmussen, E. B. (2024) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/59285 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Keleş, S., & Munthe, E. (2025) · Review of Education · doi:10.1002/rev3.70030 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Caruso, B. A., Snyder, J. S., O’Brien, L. A., LaFon, E., Files, K., Shoaib, D. M., Prasad, S. K., Rogers, H., Cumming, O., Mills, J. E., et al. (2025) · medRxiv · doi:10.1101/2025.03.11.25323561 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Motherhood Experiences of Women With Multiple Sclerosis: A Thematic Meta-Synthesis
Özkan, İ., & Dünya, C. P. (2023) · Clinical Nursing Research · doi:10.1177/10547738231177480 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
How loss of nature through clear-cutting forestry affects well-being
Nesbakken, S., Rønningen, G. E., & Torp, S. (2024) · Health Promotion International · doi:10.1093/heapro/daae110 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Nortvedt, L., Olsen, C. F., & Sjølie, H. (2022) · Health Expectations · doi:10.1111/hex.13485 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Calvin, A., Cina, S., Byrskog, U., Erlandsson, K., & Borneskog, C. (2025) · European Journal of Midwifery · doi:10.18332/ejm/209571 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Øien, A. M., & Dragesund, T. (2022) · Physiotherapy Theory and Practice · doi:10.1080/09593985.2022.2100298 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Stenmarck, M. S., Whitehurst, D. G. T., Lurås, H., & Rugkåsa, J. (2024) · BMC Health Services Research · doi:10.1186/s12913-024-10892-6 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Takawira, B., & Pooe, D. (2024) · International Journal of Business Ecosystem and Strategy (2687-2293) · doi:10.36096/ijbes.v6i3.506 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Martinsen, R., Svendsboe, E. J., Røthing, M., & Eriksen, K. Å. (2024) · Nordisk välfärdsforskning | Nordic Welfare Research · doi:10.18261/nwr.9.4.3 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Manschel, J., Porthun, J., Beuckels, J. M. A. T., & Martin, D. D. (2024) · European journal of medical research · doi:10.1186/s40001-024-02199-3 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Kattouw, C. E., Aase, K., & Viksveen, P. (2025) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2025.1706153 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
FLIPPED LEARNING STUDIES IN SCIENCE-RELATED DISCIPLINES: A META-SYNTHESIS
Kızkapan, O., Nacaroğlu, O., Tüysüz, M., & Bektaş, O. (2024) · Kapadokya eğitim dergisi. · doi:10.69643/kaped.1433303 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Guo, X., Yuanxing, W., Jiaming, W., & Hu, X. (2025) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0331753 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Shrivastava, G., & Ghosh, A. (2026) · International Journal of Transgender Health · doi:10.1080/26895269.2026.2633169 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Was ist eine Literaturübersicht?
Seidlein, A., & Kahl-Scholz, M. (2024) · Palliative Care und Forschung · doi:10.1007/978-3-658-43829-6_2
Experiences of Complicated Grief – A Synthesis of Qualitative Studies
Bergsmark, L. P. S., & Illum, L. S. (2024) · OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying · doi:10.1177/00302228241308596
The Emergence of Evidence-Based Practice in Vocational Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Counseling
Schuster, R., & Castillo, Y. A. (2025) · Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling · doi:10.1891/jarc-2024-0022
Schuster, R., & Castillo, Y. A. (2025) · Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling · doi:10.1891/jarc-2024-0039
Meshkovska, B., Gebremariam, M. K., Atukunda, P., Iversen, P. O., Wandel, M., & Lien, N. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26600191
Meshkovska, B., Scheller, D. A., Wendt, J., Jilani, H. S., Scheidmeir, M., Stratil, J. M., & Lien, N. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.19101725
Meshkovska, B., Gebremariam, M. K., Atukunda, P., Iversen, P. O., Wandel, M., & Lien, N. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26600197
Meshkovska, B., Gebremariam, M. K., Atukunda, P., Iversen, P. O., Wandel, M., & Lien, N. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26600200
Meshkovska, B., Scheller, D. A., Wendt, J., Jilani, H. S., Scheidmeir, M., Stratil, J. M., & Lien, N. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.19101716
Meshkovska, B., Gebremariam, M. K., Atukunda, P., Iversen, P. O., Wandel, M., & Lien, N. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26600188
Meshkovska, B., Gebremariam, M. K., Atukunda, P., Iversen, P. O., Wandel, M., & Lien, N. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26600185
Meshkovska, B., Scheller, D. A., Wendt, J., Jilani, H. S., Scheidmeir, M., Stratil, J. M., & Lien, N. (2022) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.19101719
Meshkovska, B., Gebremariam, M. K., Atukunda, P., Iversen, P. O., Wandel, M., & Lien, N. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26600194
Meshkovska, B., Gebremariam, M. K., Atukunda, P., Iversen, P. O., Wandel, M., & Lien, N. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26600203
Hyder, S., Peters, S., Edge, D., & Speer, S. A. (2025) · SSM - Qualitative Research in Health · doi:10.1016/j.ssmqr.2025.100660
Hyder, S., Peters, S., Edge, D., & Speer, S. A. (2025) · Research Explorer (The University of Manchester)
Normalizing pre-exposure prophylaxis: a thematic synthesis of self-talk and communication work
Yeo, T. E. D. (2026) · Annals of the International Communication Association · doi:10.1093/anncom/wlag022
Sentido y construcción de la matriz epistémica
Rillo, A. G., Martínez‐Carrillo, B. E., & Contreras-Mayén, R. G. (2024) · Revista Científica del Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo · doi:10.69639/recide.v4i1.23
Bakken, J., Schaufel, M. A., Moen, K., & Rørtveit, K. (2026) · Palliative Medicine · doi:10.1177/02692163261481988
- Authors
- Malterud, K.
- Corresponding author
- Malterud, Kirsti
- ORCID
- Malterud, Kirsti
- Venue
- Routledge eBooks
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Published
- 2019-06-05
- OpenAlex
- W4232882225
- Cited by
- 60
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1
- FWCI
- 7.78
- Type
- book
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Routledge eBooks (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty › Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Health Information Management › Methodologies in Health Research and Practice
- Keywords
- qualitative meta-synthesis, meta-ethnography, systematic reviews, evidence-based medicine, interpretative paradigm
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
