ABSTRACT
The possibility of disseminating some aspects of nursing research in Portugal, mainly qualitative studies, was a challenge accepted with enthusiasm. This chapter starts with a historic background. The main part of the chapter is an analysis of data included in a recent study by the author on doctoral theses in nursing in the three universities offering this qualification, giving special attention to qualitative studies. A personal perspective follows on the impact that some qualitative studies have had, during the past nine years. It must be said that the majority of the research studies have chosen the qualitative paradigm. Some considerations about reasons for a small impact on clinical practice follow. The chapter ends with predictions about future directions of qualitative research in Portugal.
