Here, I compare the content, characteristics of participants, and the methods used in qualitative health research with qualitative inquiry in general. Special problems that occur when conducting research in an institution, with the emotional content when participants are ill, in pain, or dying, will be discussed. What concerns for the investigator, for the researcher as a person, and methodological quandaries occur? The bottom line is: Do we have a subdiscipline? Is there a need for a special forum for those practicing qualitative health/illness research?
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