Interpretive description in psychiatry: a research note

Abstract

Clinician-researchers seeking answers to complex clinical dilemmas strive to translate research findings to their field of practice. This research note outlines application of a methodological approach of interpretive description to research in the discipline of psychiatry. It gives examples of conflicts that arise from the author’s dual role as a clinician-researcher and reflects on the utility of interpretive description in returning the analysis to the context of clinical practice. The research note concludes that interpretive description is a coherent methodological tool to formulate complex phenomena and apply findings in the field of mental health.