JAN

REVIEW PAPER

Directly observed therapy and tuberculosis: how can a systematic review of qualitative research contribute to improving services? A qualitative meta-synthesis
Jane Noyes1 & Jennie Popay2
Accepted for publication 29 September 2006

Jane Noyes DPhil MSc RN RSCN Professor of Nursing Research, Co-Convenor Cochrane Qualitative Research Methods Group University of Wales, Bangor, UK Jennie Popay MA Professor of Sociology and Public Health, Co-Convenor Cochrane Qualitative Research Methods Group Institute for Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK Correspondence to Jane Noyes: e-mail: jane.noyes@bangor.ac.uk
2

1

N O Y E S J . & P O P A Y J . ( 2 0 0 7 ) Directly observed therapy and tuberculosis: how can a systematic review of qualitative research contribute to improving services? A qualitative meta-synthesis. Journal of Advanced Nursing 57(3), 227–243 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2006.04092.x

Abstract
Title. Directly observed therapy and tuberculosis: how can a systematic review of qualitative research contribute to improving services? A qualitative meta-synthesis Aim. This paper reports the findings from a qualitative meta-synthesis concerning people with, or at risk of, tuberculosis, service providers and policymakers and their experiences and perceptions of tuberculosis and treatment. Background. Directly observed therapy is part of a package of interventions to improve tuberculosis treatment and adherence. A Cochrane systematic review of trials showed an absence of evidence for or against directly observed therapy compared with people treating themselves. Method. Qualitative systematic review methods were used to search, screen, appraise and extract data thematic analysis was used to synthesize data from 1990 to 2002, and an update of literature to December 2005. Two questions were addressed: ‘What does qualitative research