Table 2 Summary of the methodology used in the three qualitative studies
Study focus | Study approach | Data collection method relevant for this synthesis | Detail of data collection |
|---|---|---|---|
Study 1: STRETCH trial – trial of intervention to integrate HIV care into PHC and task shifting of initiation and prescription of ART to nurses | Randomised controlled trial, with participant observation by trial manager (KU) | Participant observation | 170 visits of approximately two hours each to 31 clinics, conducted over four years while managing the trial; notes of visits kept in a diary |
Study 2: STRETCH process evaluation – the evaluation explored all aspects of the intervention (training, managerial issues etc.) including issues of HIV care integration | Mixed-method qualitative evaluation (led by DG with SL and CC) | Focus group discussions | 10 focus groups with nurses 6 focus groups with patients |
In-depth and key Informant Interviews | 26 interviews with facility managers, doctors, trial manager, local/district/provincial health managers and key stakeholders | ||
Observation | 7 observations of support workshops for nurse-trainers and trial manager support visits to clinics | ||
Study 3: Qualitative study to understand the organisation of PHC, following the integration of HIV care and task shifting in PHC shifting. | Mixed-methods study, based on ethnographic principles (AG, supervised by SL) | Observation | Observation in 4 clinics, including 2 STRETCH trial clinics, over a 15Â month period. Emerging themes were explored in an additional 6 clinics, including 3 STRETCH trial clinics. |
Interviews | Interviews with 34 professional nurses, 6 other members of clinic staff and 21 patients |