News
Innovations in Qualitative Research and Digital Health Literacy
01 Sep 2025
Event: Faculty Development Program-2025
Event activity: Plenary sessions
Theme: “Fueling Research Innovation to Elevate Academic and Industrial Health Outcomes”
Date: 29.08.2025
Time: 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Mode: Hybrid
Organized by: Faculty of Nursing, Rama University, Kanpur, UP.
The fourth day of the ongoing Faculty Development Program (FDP) at Rama University focused on the integration of advanced qualitative research design methodologies with digital health literacy in contemporary health care. The sessions were designed to equip faculty and researchers with innovative tools and frameworks essential for addressing complex healthcare challenges in a digital era.
The day commenced with a warm and insightful welcome address by Prof. Vipin A, Head of Department, Child Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing. He emphasized the transformative power of research innovation in improving academic excellence and healthcare practices, especially with the rising significance of digital tools in health care delivery.
This was followed by the formal introduction of the keynote speaker by Associate Professor Deepak Suwalka, Head of Department, Mental Health Nursing. His remarks set the tone for a day of rigorous academic engagement and interdisciplinary dialogue.
The session was delivered by Prof. (Dr.) Manish Dhingra, Professor, Faculty of commerce and Management, Rama University, Kanpur, UP on “advanced qualitative research design methodologies.”Prof. Dhingra delivered an in-depth session on the role and relevance of qualitative research in tackling real-world health and social issues. His presentation included:
The session provided a comprehensive overview of key qualitative research designs, including phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, and case studies—each offering unique approaches to understanding complex human experiences in health and social contexts. It also covered essential data collection tools such as in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and narrative techniques, which help capture rich, context-specific insights. Further, the speaker elaborated on coding strategies, thematic analysis, and methods to ensure the reliability and validity of qualitative research findings. Emphasis was placed on the interdisciplinary application of these methodologies, demonstrating their relevance and adaptability across fields such as nursing, management, and the social sciences. The session emphasized the growing demand for qualitative research skills in academia and health systems, particularly in capturing lived experiences and systemic gaps.
The second session began with the introduction of the resource person by Associate Professor Nilandrita Deb, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Rama University.
The second session delved into the critical domain of digital health literacy, a key component in modern health care transformation. Prof. Dr. Jasmi Johnson, Dean faculty of Nursing, Rama University highlighted:
The session highlighted the rapidly expanding role of digital health technologies in transforming care delivery, emphasizing their potential to enhance accessibility, efficiency, and patient outcomes. Key focus areas included the effective utilization of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and telemedicine platforms, which are increasingly integral to modern clinical practice. The speaker also discussed strategies to improve patient engagement and communication through user-friendly digital tools, fostering more informed and active participation in health management. Additionally, the session underscored the critical need for continuous training and upskilling of healthcare professionals to ensure the safe, ethical, and proficient use of digital systems in an ever-evolving technological landscape.
The sessions concluded with an open discussion, where participants actively shared experiences and challenges related to qualitative data collection, interpretation, and the integration of digital platforms in health care. The dialogue fostered collaborative learning and encouraged participants to apply new knowledge to their respective research and teaching practices.
Day 4 of the FDP was highly impactful, offering participants a comprehensive understanding of qualitative research design and the growing importance of digital health literacy. The sessions served as a valuable resource for researchers and educators aiming to enhance their methodological rigor and adapt to the digital transformation in health care.
The knowledge shared throughout the day is expected to contribute significantly to ongoing and future research projects, academic curricula, and clinical practices.
