Qualitative health research in Ibero-America: the current state of the science.

Qualitative health research (QHR) comprises a field that has spread and consolidated in Ibero-America (Iberian and Latin American countries) during the 1990s. Until now, however, no systematic evaluation has been made of the qualitative health research published in the region. The aim of this article is to discuss four aspects of QHR: the capability and limitations of using international databases to identify Ibero-American qualitative health studies; the principle health topics studied in Latin America using QHR methodologies; the development of QHR in Spain; and the theoretical perspectives that guide studies in Latin America. A bibliographic search was conducted to identify QHR studies listed in 17 international and/or regional databases. A parallel search was conducted by contacting research centers, academic institutes, and key researchers in several countries.