title: [Qualitative methods in psychiatry: use of the life story method for the study of suicide in the elderly].
abstract: This article discusses the importance of using qualitative methods for research in psychiatry, with particular emphasis on the use of the life story method for the study of suicide in old age. We will make a historic journey through the origins and definitions of this tool and will show its use through a study made in an inpatient psychiatric unit. We will draw some conclusions regarding the importance of using qualitative methods in psychiatric research. We point out the limitations of positivism and evidence-based medicine.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires HIBA. gilda.mantaras@hospitalitaliano.org.ar
authors.forename: Gilda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mantaras
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Matusevich
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D063545:Personal Narratives as Topic; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000379:methods*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*