Making use of qualitative research

Many have discussed the importance of using research in practice. To understand this issue, we examined what authors of qualitative research in oncology said about the uses of their research findings. Analysis of the authors' implications sections was conducted with 42 articles published between 1995 and 2001 and indexed in either Medline or CINAHL. The two categories from this analysis were implications for future research and communication. The categories and related subcategories are illustrated with selected quotes from some of the articles. Findings confirm the importance of language in health and illness.