Appraising qualitative research articles in medicine and medical education

Although qualitative research is gaining recognition in medicine and in medical education, most clinical teachers do not know how to perform a critical appraisal of articles in these fields. This article describes a grid for the critical appraisal of qualitative research articles so that clinical teachers are in a better position to evaluate this type of research and to teach the critical appraisal of it. The grid is comprised of 12 items with an explanation and suggestions for additional reading for each item.