Critical Appraisal of a Qualitative Study on Vaginal Atrophy

This report presents a critical appraisal of a qualitative study that investigated attitudes and approaches to vaginal atrophy in women experiencing menopause. The study employed focus groups at an international level to gather data on women's experiences and perceptions of vaginal atrophy, considering personality types and psychological factors influencing their responses and treatment approaches. The research process involved focus group discussions, followed by analysis based on personality types. The study's strengths include the congruency between research questions and methodology, raising awareness about vaginal atrophy, and the international scope of the study. Weaknesses include the small sample size and the absence of healthcare providers in the focus groups. The study's credibility and reliability are discussed, highlighting the importance of international perspectives and the need for further research to create awareness and provide counseling to women facing this issue. The report also includes questions for peer follow-up, prompting further discussion on the findings and methodology of the study.

Running head: CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF A QUALITATIVE STUDY 1
Critical Appraisal of a Qualitative Study
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF A QUALITATIVE STUDY 2
Critical Appraisal of a Qualitative Study
This qualitative research is about the attitudes and approaches towards the vaginal
atrophy when there is menopause in females and they have to face vaginal atrophy. The results
were collected from the focus groups at the international levels. These focus groups were
composed of females who were experiencing vaginal atrophy after menopause and the results
were collected based on personality types and the psychological factors. The treatment and
responses were observed and it was found out that the approaches and treatments were dependent
on the personality types of the females (Utian & Maamari, 2014).
Steps of the Research Process
The purpose of the research for which this study was carried out was to investigate the
responses of females to the vaginal atrophy after menopause. This research was conducted based
on focus groups and these focus groups comprised of three-four hours and the 3-5 women were a
part of these focus groups. So, the research method for this study was the preference of focus
groups to discuss the maximum information. After the discussions, the results were collected and
divided based on personality types of females. It was found out that those females who had
individualism and strong approach, they sought treatment for vaginal atrophy and those who
were submissive and had instincts of belongingness were not provided with any treatments
because their health care physicians satisfied them that vaginal atrophy was a part of their aging
and they have to bear this. So, it was concluded at the end of the research that the response to
vaginal atrophy was based on the personality types of the females and the analysis of females
based on personality approaches will help them get the treatment from their doctors and other
health care specialists.

CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF A QUALITATIVE STUDY 3
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Qualitative Research
Congruency between the research questions and the research methodologies is the
strength of good research (Lockwood, Munn & Porritt, 2015). This research has a good
congruency because the research question is well explained with the help of the results collected
during the focus group studies. The other strengths of this study are to make the females aware
that vaginal atrophy is a medical condition and they need to take it seriously. They must see a
doctor and if they are facing any severe or mild difficulty, they need to tell the doctor or their
health care provider. Another strength of this research is the selection of focus groups at
international level which shows that this problem prevails all around the world and females face
and combat this issue according to the personality types that they have gotten. But this research
can make them stimulated to have awareness about this topic and to address this issue with the
wise approach. This is so because they have all the rights to talk about their physical issues and
must not hide or ignore such issues. The study is also important because all the females in the
world have to pass through a phase of menopause and then they develop certain changes in their
bodies and vaginal atrophy is one of them. Another positive goal of the study is the use of
personality-based approaches to treat the females and to create awareness among them. This
research highlights the issues and concerns about the health of females. The weakness of this
research is realized when only a small fraction of respondents are included in the focus groups.
Another weakness is felt that there were not doctors or care providers included in this research.
So, the opinions of only one section of the issue were recorded.
Credibility and Reliability of the Results

CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF A QUALITATIVE STUDY 4
Good research also has unbiased goals and presentation of the results irrespective of the
cultural perspectives. This shows that quality research is based on theories and facts and is not
biased with the cultural backgrounds of the researcher (Lockwood, Munn & Porritt, 2015).
Hence, this research is shown at an international level without considering the cultural
perspectives. Only one thing was taken into account during the research and it was the medical
reason of the females. The research is credible and reliable both because it was based on a
careful focus group discussion and the problems were observed and recorded all around the
world that females are facing vaginal atrophy after the menopause. So, the international issue of
females has come under observation and this is worth further research because a lot of females in
the world are facing this issue and there is a need to create awareness to deal with this issue and
counseling of the females is needed to be done to promote awareness among them which will
help them get better health and medical services for their genuine medical issues.
Questions for Peer Follow-up
1- The results of this research show that vaginal atrophy treatment is dependent on the
personality types of the females and according to me there might be some other reasons
behind this. What is your input in this regard?
2- In the research methodology, only women were selected from four counties and the
research is given the name of the international study. Is not it a partial study in which
other countries needed to be added at a broad level? What is your stance on this insight?

CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF A QUALITATIVE STUDY 5
References
Lockwood C, Munn Z, Porritt K. Qualitative research synthesis: methodological guidance for
systematic reviewers utilizing meta-aggregation. Int J Evid Based Health.
2015;13(3):179–187.
Utian, W. H., & Maamari, R. (2014). Attitudes and approaches to vaginal atrophy.
CLIMACTERIC, 29–36.