Mixed methods approach to integrative research

Anal cancer is a growing public health concern for immunocompromised people. The mainstay of treatment is based on ablative therapy particularly cold knife surgical removal and/or fulguration of the affected area. This study is a 60-week, randomized placebo-controlled trial of a Chinese topical herbal medicine cream in 56 participants (28 in each arm) at the University of California at San Francisco Cancer Research Center. A mixed methods approach was used in the project. In this study we are working to develop the model of interpreting HSIL, especially with HIV co-infection, according to Chinese traditional diagnoses in order to gain experience integrating the Western and Eastern approaches. The inclusion of qualitative research methods bring the lived experience of the research participants into the analysis of the outcomes of this research project. This presentation explores the outcomes of the qualitative data.