Qualitative nursing research in Canada

I am honored by Professor Cheryl Beck’s invitation to write the chapter on the state of the science of qualitative nursing research in Canada. The contents of this book reflect the diverse qualitative research methodologies that have found a niche in the Canadian landscape of nursing research. A theoretical perspective informs each approach, and provides direction for action to scholars, practitioners and policy-makers in the discipline and profession of nursing. Our profession does not allow us the luxury of theorizing without action; as a practice discipline we grapple with complex issues in health, health care, human suffering and healing that intersect with the wider social, economic, political and cultural processes within our society. Indeed, a colleague of mine—a sociologist—drew my attention to a recent article by Roy Romanow (2012), the former Premier of Saskatchewan and Commissioner on the Future of Health Care in Canada. Romanow reminds us of the narrative of this nation—one of a “shared destiny” and organizing collectively around shared values—but he is concerned that

In recent years … the soil has been tilled for the sprouting of views at odds with this narrative. We now feel a palpable momentum toward individualism, decentralization, and privatization … all sorts of dubious and unfair policies are being inflicted on Canadians … that … often … ignore the difference between equality and equity; policies that pretend there is a level playing field in Canada in terms of access to opportunity, and that those who are disadvantaged … are solely responsible for their own fate. As though living on the margins, or suffering from poor health, mental illness or addiction is somehow a conscious lifestyle choice.

(Romanow, 2012, pp. 1, 6)