Welcome to another episode of The Words Matter Podcast.I want to give a huge thanks to the people that support the show via Patreon, I couldn’t do this without you – so thanks again.So, in we’re into the fourth episode of the Qualitative Research Series, and today I’m with Dr Victoria Clarke about thematic analysis.Victoria is an Associate Professor of Qualitative and Critical Psychology at the University of the West of England. She teaches and conducts research in the intersecting areas of qualitative and critical psychology, sexuality and gender, family and relationships, and appearance and embodiment.Together with her long-time co-author and collaborator Prof. Virginia Braun, Victoria has been central in developing, explicating and disseminating qualitative research methods, in particular thematic analysis.The immense impact that Victoria and Virginia have had on qualitative methodological scholarship and practice is evidenced by the fact that their original 2006 paper on TA has received over 100,000 google scholar citations. Truly incredible.Victoria’s books include the award-winning textbook Successful Qualitative Research, and their new book titled Thematic Analysis A Practical Guide, both of which she co-authored with Virginia. Their new book will be released in October 2021, and you can pre-order your copy here.So in this episode we speak about:The history of Thematic analysis (TA).TA as being a ‘method-ish’ meaning it sits between both method and methodology. For example, it has a defined set of methods, but also has depth in how these methods are conceptualised and operationalised, including the research values and reflexivity to use them; meaning that that TA also has characteristics of a methodology.We talk about TA’s emergence as an immensely popular qualitative research approach.We talk about that as TA isn’t welded to a particular theory or onto-epistemological perspective, that this is in fact a feature which offers researchers theoretical flexibility and utility rather than a bug which would otherwise limit or bog down those wanting to embark on qualitative inquiry.We talk about reflexivity and how this value is nurtured within reflexive TA.We talk about some of the main criticisms and misconceptions of TA.We talk about the annoying notion of data saturation, and it’s links to positivism, and how to respond to peer-reviewers’ equally annoying requests to demonstrate the definite, final and ultimate position of saturation (see Victoria and Virginia's paper on data saturation here).We talk about presenting participants’ demographic information as a way to help readers of qualitative research to locate the findings within their own realities and assess the study’s transferability (see papers by Janice Morse here and here).Finally, Victoria shares her thoughts on post-qualitative research, which amongst other things, rejects systematic and somewhat repeatable qualitative methods, such as those that sit with TA. And to give you a heads up, that in the penultimate episode in this series, I’ll be speaking with Dr Jenny Setchell about post qualitative research.So this was just another incredibly enjoyable conversation. Victoria really puts voice, passion, and argument behind reflexive TA, which I think has at times been unfairly portrayed as ‘atheoretical’ by methodological purists.As Victoria and Virgina make clear in their paper 'Can I use TA? Should I use TA? Should I not use TA? the pursuit of the perfect qualitative approaches may be seen as a ‘hallowed methods quest’. The broad church of qualitative research calls for methods and methodological pluralism to suit the different questions, contexts, and resources that qualitative researchers have.Find Victoria on Twitter @drvicclarkeYou can support the show and contribute via Patreon hereIf you liked the podcast, you'll love The Words Matter online course and mentoring to develop your clinical expertise  - ideal for all MSK therapists.Follow Words Matter on:Instagram @Wordsmatter_education @TheWordsMatterPodcastTwitter @WordsClinicalFacebook Words Matter - Improving Clinical Communication ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Welcome to another episode of The Words Matter Podcast.I hope you enjoyed the previous two episodes of the Qualitative Research Series; the first one introducing qualitative research with Perri Tutleman and the last episode on grounded theory with Professors. Jane Mills and Melanie Birks. I found the conversations so enjoyable and look forward to continuing through the series.So we continue our journey into and across qualitative research, and in today’s episode I’m speaking about Ethnography with sociologist Dr Fiona Webster. Fiona is an Associate Professor at Western University London, Ontario, Canada. Her research interest lies in the sociology of chronic pain and other chronic health conditions, with a particular focus on using critical and institutional ethnographic approaches.Fiona has published extensively using and ethnography including a powerful ethnographic study of chronic pain management in primary care, titled 'The social organization of physicians' work in the midst of the opioid crisis', published in the journal PLoS One (see here).She has also written a book titled 'The Social Organization of Best Practice An Institutional Ethnography of Physicians’ Work’ which explores how best practice for acute stroke care was developed, translated and taken up in medical practice across various sites in the province of Ontario (see here).So in this episode we talk about:What ethnography is, its problematic history and its place as ground zero for qualitative research.Ethnography’s ability to captures complex, naturally occurring social interactions in contexts that are not subject to experimental control (see a really useful paper by Fiona introducing ethnography here).The different epistemological approaches within ethnography and touch on Hammersley’s critique ‘What’s wrong with ethnography’ which articulate the methodological and epistemological confusion which he perceived within ethnography, namely 'naive realism' and 'relativism'. I would suggest you also real Grant Banfields rebuttal “What’s really wrong with ethnography where he proposes 'subtle realism' as a solution to the confusion).The way in which ethnographic research is carried out, from data collection (such as participant observation, field notes and interviews) and some of the ethical issues of prolonged immersion in the field and who can be researched in the research field.The Hawthorne effect, that is peoples' change in behaviour when they know they’re being observed and how this does (or doesn't) relate to ethnographic observation.Data analysis and reflexivity within an ethnographic study.Finally, Fiona suggests some classic and influential ethnographies for those wanting to find out more about ethnography, including the books Forgive and Remember: Managing Medical Failure, The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down, Boys in White and finally the autoethnography Leaving the Boys: A Story of Motherhood and Career, Feminism and Romance.So this was just a wonderful conversation with Fiona. She describes the theory and practice of ethnography perfectly, and her powerful insights into institutional ethnography and the rich data and findings that ethnography generates just made me want to do some ethnography!Find Fiona on Twitter @FionaWebster1You can support the show and contribute via Patreon hereIf you liked the podcast, you'll love The Words Matter online course and mentoring to develop your clinical expertise  - ideal for all MSK therapists.Follow Words Matter on:Instagram @Wordsmatter_education @TheWordsMatterPodcastTwitter @WordsClinicalFacebook Words Matter - Improving Clinical Communication ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Welcome to another episode of The Words Matter Podcast.So this is the second episode of the Qualitative Research Series, and today I’m speaking with Prof. Melanie Birks and Prof. Jane Mills, who for me are amongst the most influential communicators, educators and developers of grounded theory in the past decade – so its a real treat to have these superstars of GT contribute to this qualitative series.Melanie is a Professor of Nursing (Quality and Strategy) at James Cook University in Australia. She has an extensive publication track record, including numerous textbooks and articles on grounded theory. Her research interests are in the areas of educational accessibility and relevance, and preparation of a well-prepared health workforce. She is committed to promoting quality, evidence-based education and practice through these endeavours.Jane is the Dean and Head of the La Trobe Rural Health School, and she is considered one of Australia and New Zealand’s foremost nurse academics with extensive experience leading and managing teams in both government and tertiary sectors. Her research portfolio focuses on rural and public health, health workforce, and health system strengthening. Jane’s career vision is to contribute to a just society by fostering research and graduates that make a positive difference and she believes education and research are powerful vehicles for change.So in this episode we speak about:What grounded theory (GT) is and what is it not.A brief history of GT, the context in which it arose, underpinning philosophies, and the different generations.Melanie and Jane's own epistemological positions on GT and how they arrived at them (see here for example).GT in context of other qualitative methodologies; what aspects and methods are common and which are somewhat distinctive of GT.What constitutes a GT study but also the product of a GT study, namely a grounded theory – and we touch on what makes it grounded and what is meant by theory.The importance of the position of the researcher, including managing ‘bias’ and preconceptions, reflectivity and the role of the researcherSome of the key methods of GT.The notion of theoretical sensitivity, which guides theoretical sampling, theoretical coding and theory development.What constitutes quality in GT, and how do we know when we have developed a ‘good’ GT.Their tips and advice for embarking on or engaging with grounded theory research (see their FAQ paper here). And for a paper on how I've operationalised constructivist GT see here.As you will hear, I was really excited to speak with Melanie and Jane. As I say in the out chat, the first edition of their book Grounded Theory: A Practical Guide was a great help to me during my doctoral research and subsequent teaching and supervision around grounded theory. And I was honoured to make a small contribution to their second book, and wrote a short piece on how I used non-participant observation and video-prompted reflective interviews to facilitate theoretical sufficiency and grounded theory development (see here).And keep a look out for the 3rd edition of their book, which is due out next year.Find Melanie and Jane on Twitter @melbirks @profjanemills You can support the show and contribute via Patreon hereIf you liked the podcast, you'll love The Words Matter online course and mentoring to develop your clinical expertise  - ideal for all MSK therapists.Follow Words Matter on:Instagram @Wordsmatter_education @TheWordsMatterPodcastTwitter @WordsClinicalFacebook Words Matter - Improving Clinical Communication ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Welcome to another episode of the Words Matter Podcast.So this is the first episode of the Qualitative Research Series, where my guests and I fly above to get a broad overview of qualitative research but then also land on areas to get a more detailed sense of the different theories, methodologies and methods of qualitative research.In addition to todays episode, the conversations coming up include Grounded Theory with Professors Melanie Birks and Jane Mills, Phenomenology with Dr Pirjo Vuoskoski, Thematic Analysis with Dr Victoria Clarke, Critical approaches with Dr Anna Rajala , Post-qualitative approaches with Dr Jenny Setchell, conversational analysis with Dr Charlotte Albury and there will be a final special qualitative research Ask Us Anything episode with Prof Dave Nicholls. Dave and I will be discussing and answering your questions on qualitative research and related topics.  So in this first episode of The Qualitative Research Series I’m speaking with Perri Tutelman. Perri is a PhD Candidate in Clinical Psychology at Dalhousie University (Halifax, Canada). Her research is focused on understanding the pain experiences of children with cancer across the disease trajectory (see here and here). She has published several qualitative studies that explore the lived experiences of patients, families, and healthcare providers in the areas of pain and serious illness. She actively mentors graduate students interested in qualitative methods and recently co-guest edited a Special Issue on Qualitative Research and Pain for the Canadian Journal of Pain, and there were some a great webinar on the Special edition with Perri and the other contributors here. So in this episode we speak about:Perri’s journey into qualitative research from a her background as a psychologist trained in quantitative research methodsWhat qualitative research is and what it isn’t, and that it is more than just type of data collectedQualitative research as a heterogeneous family of methodologies, each with different philosophical, historical and theoretical backgrounds and underpinnings- the challenge this diversity this can bring but also the richness and flexibility.The different foundational assumptions of qualitative research (such as views on knowledge, reality and truth) and how these support, justify and inform the research methods (such as data collection, analysis sampling).Locating qualitative research in context of quantitative research and evidence based practice – and what it offers and where it fits.The role, value and contribution of qualitative research for generating knowledge about all aspects of pain and pain management.So this was such an enjoyable discussion with Perri and the perfect opener of the series. Hearing Perri’s journey into qualitative research, her early challenges and frustrations and how she is now using qualitative approaches resonates with my own experiences and I’m sure many of you that have also had to grapple with initial discomfort of stepping into a different research paradigm.It was great to share this and introduce some of the key aspects of qualitative research and also talk through valuable contribution that qualitative research can make to building a rounded and relevant evidence-base to support clinical practice.Find Perri on Twitter @PerriTutelmanYou can support the show and contribute via Patreon hereIf you liked the podcast, you'll love The Words Matter online course and mentoring to develop your clinical expertise  - ideal for all MSK therapists.Follow Words Matter on:Instagram @Wordsmatter_education @TheWordsMatterPodcastTwitter @WordsClinicalFacebook Words Matter - Improving Clinical Communication ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Welcome to another episode of The Words Matter Podcast.On this episode I’m speaking I’m speaking Dr Filip Maric.Filip is a physiotherapist with a background in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, as well as in philosophy, ethnology and psychoanalysis. His doctoral research employed the qualitative methodology of autoethnography to explore the ethical foundations of physiotherapy.More recently, this work has led him to the in-depth exploration and development of environmental physiotherapy and with that, the relationship between health, physiotherapy, and the question of the environment. And we talk about his work in this area towards the end of the episode.He is the founder and executive chair of the Environmental Physiotherapy Association and teaches and researches at UiT The Arctic University of Norway located in Tromsø.So in this episode we speak about:His recent paper he wrote with David Nicholls (who I spoke with on episode 21), titled 'The fundamental violence of physiotherapy: Emmanuel Levinas’ critique of ontology and its implications for physiotherapy theory and practice', published in Open Physio Journal (here).How ontology, epistemology and ethics relate to each other, and how fundamental this relationship is to physiotherapy.His radical critique of physiotherapy as it applies to the philosophical foundations of physiotherapy and the notion of enforcing of professional identitiesThe work of the philosopher Emmanuel Levinas, who’s perspective on ethics and ontology Filip utilised in his PhD to radically interrogate the theory, practice and identity of physiotherapy.Levinas's notion of ‘otherness’, meaning the openness for cultural differences and social diversity which has implications for how we relate to and interact with patients in clinical practice.The post professional era of musculoskeletal practice.The broader implications of his reconceptualisation of physiotherapy, and it not bing just about human health but ecosystem and planetary health. And how this incorporation of environmental concerns into the project of physiotherapy is greater than the concerns and differences between individual professions and practitioners, but it is  trans professional – and further contributes to a post professional era.This was a really interesting conversation with Filip; he’s gone places with his thinking and argument where very few have dared to go.It might at first appear that Filip’s strong critique against the current conceptualisation of physiotherapy is some sort of 'professional vandalism' or trouble making. But if you listen closely you’ll hear Filip’s aim is de-construction, not destruction to better understand where and how physiotherapy is and to begin to offer places where it could possibly go, albeit in a different form.Find Filip on Twitter @filipmaricptPlease support the show if you can by contributing via Patreon hereIf you liked the podcast, you'll love The Words Matter online course and mentoring to develop your clinical expertise  - ideal for all MSK therapists.Follow Words Matter on:Instagram @Wordsmatter_education @TheWordsMatterPodcastTwitter @WordsClinicalFacebook Words Matter - Improving Clinical Communication ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Welcome to another episode of The Words Matter Podcast.Following my commitment to explore the theoretical aspects and philosophical underpinnings of clinical practice, I’m diving in with both feet in this episode. As today I’m speaking with Dr Sabrina Coninx and Dr Peter Stilwell.Sabrina is a philosopher currently located at the Institute for Philosophy at the Ruhr University Bochum in Germany. She is a postdoctoral researcher and scientific coordinator of the Research Training Group Situated Cognition. She has a Bachelor in Psychology and Philosophy, and a Master and PhD in Philosophy with a focus on Philosophy of Mind and Science. Her philosophical work is empirically informed and aims to contribute to debates across disciplines, including clinical practice. Her research focus is on pain, emotions, suffering, and affective disorders. For more information on her work see here. For more information on the RTG 'Situated Cognition' see here.Peter is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at McGill University and his research interests include utilising qualitative methodologies and involve theoretical/conceptual approaches to explore pain, suffering, and patient-clinician communication. Peter spoke with me on the podcast last year, and many of you will be familiar with his excellent paper from 2019 with Katherine Hartman introducing enactivism as a theoretical framework to move us beyond the biopsychosocial model. He’s been very busy since then, and he published a number of related papers including his most recent one with Sabrina which we speak about in this episode. Find our more about Peter and his work here.So in this episode we speak about:Phenomenology as a philosophical framework.Enactivism and the value of this theoretical perspective for understanding pain and practice.We also speak about enactivism in relation to dispostionalism (see CauseHealth Series here) and try to tease out some the differences and similarities between these two theories.How enactive approaches can help us address the ‘integration problem’ (which is focus of their new paper), and how enactive approaches can causally integrate different phenomena such as neuropeptides with knees with cognitions with spines and with social relationships.We speak about affordances as potential opportunities to better care for, treat and manage people living with pain.How the concept of affordances can help us understand differences (beside mere temporality) between acute and chronic pain.This was just a thrilling conversation. The combination of Sabrina’s perspective as a philosopher and Peter’s ability to bridge and translate these ideas with his clinical background was a complete joy. Their passion, curiosity and willingness to explore all sorts of different topics related to their paper was such fun. Find Peter and Sabrina on Twitter @Peter_Stilwell and @sconinxphilSupport the show and contribute via Patreon hereIf you liked the podcast, you'll love The Words Matter online course and mentoring to develop your clinical expertise  - ideal for all MSK therapists.Follow Words Matter on:Instagram @Wordsmatter_education @TheWordsMatterPodcastTwitter @WordsClinicalFacebook Words Matter - Improving Clinical Communication ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Welcome to another episode of The Words Matter Podcast.Only 6 months late, here is the Ask Me Anything number 3, where I respond to your questions you've sent me. Given how much time has passed since the last one (back in September last year) there was quite a library of questions to choose from, so I’ve selected a bunch to cover a range of topics.So in this episode I share my thoughts on:The upcoming Qualitative Research Podcast Series.The need for still having three evidence facing MSK professions (physiotherapy, chiropractic and osteopath? Should we drop the labels and focus on clinical competency? Or does each profession have something unique that it brings to the table?My most influential non-therapy related books.What I have changed my mind about since starting your podcast.My best resources for explaining chronic/ persistent pain (in the absence of pathology) from a BPS perspective to patients.How I would use language differently with children.How the CauseHealth Series  (see here) has influenced the way that I practice and any adaptations I have made because of dispositionalism.My favourite philosopher and whether I use a particular philosophical framework in my clinical practice.On whether it is better to specialise in a field (eg headaches, shoulder or LBP) than be a general MSK clinician as a new graduate.Don't forget to hit the SUBSCRIBE button on your podcast player.Support the show and contribute via Patreon hereIf you liked the podcast, you'll love The Words Matter online course and mentoring to develop your clinical expertise  - ideal for all MSK therapists.Follow Words Matter on:Instagram @Wordsmatter_education @TheWordsMatterPodcastTwitter @WordsClinicalFacebook Words Matter - Improving Clinical Communication ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Welcome to another episode of The Words Matter Podcast.So this is the first episode after the CauseHealth series, which was a phenomenal experience and I’m delighted that it seems to have landed far and wide across the healthcare landscape.The series was epic, and I’m recording this a couple of days after the release of the final episode with Rani, Matt and Christine, so it feels a bit like the morning after the night before.The CauseHealth experience has had an impact on the focus I want for the podcast, and I think the series may have shaped the trajectory and the sorts of conversations I want to have and bring to you.So exploring the underlying assumptions, theory and philosophy of clinical practice will now certainly be on the agenda of the show. But also, in many ways it’s business as usual and I’ll continue to have a focus on the stories, language and relationships which are fundamental to clinical practice and the health care of people.So please stay tuned, listen, re-listen to the episodes and subscribe to the Podcast.On this episode I’m speaking with Karime Mescoto. Karime is a physiotherapist originally from Brazil. She is currently a final year PhD student at the University of Queensland, where her research is looking critically at the biopsychosocial model in relation to low back pain.Her research is underpinned by critical theory utilising the qualitative research methodologies of Foucauldian discourse analysis and ethnography to understand how the BPS model is conceptualised, enacted and embodied and the power dynamics within it, around it and underneath it in the management of low back pain (listen to Episode 21 with Prof. David Nicholls where we touch on similar themes related to critical theory).In this episode we talk about:Karime’s excellent critical review of the BPS model and how it has been conceptualised by researchers and the associated discourses about it.The fragmentation off the BPS model and how there is often an emphasis (albeit unintended) on the biological aspects.How the social aspects are often forgotten, de-emphasised and marginalised and why the social is everywhere and cannot or shouldn’t be avoided.Finally, we discuss the underlying and overlying power structures within clinical practice and an audio recording on the this important topic with two of her PhD supervisors Dr Jenny Setchell and Dr Rebecca Olson (listen here).I really enjoyed talking to Karime. Her fresh outlook on an oldish model, using even older theory gives a new perspective and uncovers the hidden assumptions, meanings and power of the BPS model and how these may play out during research and when clinicians interact with patients.Karime is a future star, and I cannot wait to read her further work in this crucial area of clinical practice.Find Karime on Twitter @KarimeMescoutoIf you liked the podcast, you'll love The Words Matter online course and mentoring to develop your clinical expertise  - ideal for all MSK therapists.Follow Words Matter on:Instagram @Wordsmatter_education @TheWordsMatterPodcastTwitter @WordsClinicalFacebook Words Matter - Improving Clinical Communication ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Welcome to another episode of The Words Matter Podcast.So we’ve reached the end of the CauseHealth Series, and in this final episode I’m speaking with Rani Lil Anjum, Matthew Low and Christine Price who share their reflections on the podcast series from the perspectives of philosopher, clinician and patient.We also discuss some of the practical recommendations which appear in the final section of the book (here), and that are needed in order to re-situate person-centred healthcare within a new paradigm.It has been a real privilege for me to be speak to each and every author of this ground-breaking resource (free to download here). Like so many of you, I’ve learnt so much personally from each of the conversations.What has become clear to me during this series is that not only does CauseHealth offer novel a framework for understanding causation, but it also moves us to take a critical look at all of our assumptions around so many areas of healthcare practice, whether it be the nature of evidence, the role of clinical judgement, how patients and clinicians might relate to each other as well as broader issues of public health policy.So in many ways, for me CauseHealth offers a bold formal theory of genuine person-centred care, which has explanatory power that reaches far, wide and deep into our healthcare practice, policy and our patients' lives.So I bring you Rani, Matthew and Christine.If you liked the podcast, you'll love The Words Matter online course and mentoring to develop your clinical expertise  - ideal for all MSK therapists.Follow Words Matter on:Instagram @Wordsmatter_education @TheWordsMatterPodcastTwitter @WordsClinicalFacebook Words Matter - Improving Clinical Communication ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Welcome to another episode of The Words Matter Podcast.In this episode of the CauseHealth Series I’m speaking with Professor Anna Luise Kirkengen about her Chapter 15 show wrote titled Broken Child – A Diseased Woman.Anna Luise is Professor of General Practice in the Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and has worked as General Practitioner for 30 years.She specialises on the health impacts of childhood violation and is author many papers on the topic and also two books titled The Lived Experience of Violation - How Abused Children Become Unhealthy Adults and Inscribed Bodies - Health Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse, ‘Creating Chronicity.In this episode we speak about:Her experience as a GP and researcher, and the importance of patient stories and why she thinks phenomenology and whole person approaches are a crucial and ethical requirement for all healthcare professional.We speak about the problem with the biomedical model from a clinical and research.We speak about how she sees the body as being inscribed and saturated with meaning and how healthcare must stop thinking of the silent body and the speaking mind.We talk about how frameworks that endorse mind-body dualism are deeply problematic, and how she sees all experience as embodied.Finally, Anna Luise shares how she facilitates the patients’ narratives and her openness to encourage patients to confide, in detail, their stories of harm, shame and abuse.So this was a rich and detailed conversation with someone who has spent decades seeking to understand whole people; their suffering, their hardship and their lives. Anna Luise shares some specific details of the people she has encountered through her work that have been abused as children. If you think this might be too difficult to hear, you may choose to skip a couple of minutes from around 24 minutes in.If you liked the podcast, you'll love The Words Matter online course and mentoring to develop your clinical expertise  - ideal for all MSK therapists.Follow Words Matter on:Instagram @Wordsmatter_education @TheWordsMatterPodcastTwitter @WordsClinicalFacebook Words Matter - Improving Clinical Communication ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★