title: Experiences from a pilot study on how to conduct a qualitative multi-country research project regarding use of antibiotics in Southeast Europe.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 2014, a qualitative multi-country research project was launched to study the reasons behind the high use of antibiotics in regions of Southeast Europe by using previously untrained national interviewers (who were engaged in other antibiotic microbial resistance-related investigations) to conduct qualitative interviews with local patients, physicians and pharmacists. Little knowledge exists about how to implement qualitative multi-country research collaborations involving previously untrained local data collectors. The aim of this paper was therefore to contribute to the knowledge regarding how to conduct these types of research projects by evaluating a pilot study of the project.
  
  
  METHODS
  Local data collectors conducted the study according to a developed protocol and evaluated the study with the responsible researcher-team from University of Copenhagen. The pilot study focused on 'local ownership', 'research quality' and 'feasibility' with regard to successful implementation and evaluation. The evaluation was achieved by interpreting 'Skype' and 'face to face' meetings and email correspondence by applying 'critical common sense'.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Local data collectors achieved a sense of joint ownership. Overall, the protocol worked well. Several minor challenges pertaining to research quality and feasibility were identified, in particular obtaining narratives when conducting interviews and recruiting patients for the study. Furthermore, local data collectors found it difficult to allocate sufficient time to the project. Solutions were discussed and added to the protocol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the challenges, it was possible to achieve an acceptable scientific level of research when conducting qualitative multi-country research collaboration under the given circumstances. Specific recommendations to achieve this are provided by the authors.
authors.affiliation: Section for Social and Clinical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 København Ø, Denmark.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaae
authors.affiliation: Section for Social and Clinical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 København Ø, Denmark.
authors.forename: Sofia Kälvemark
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sporrong
authors.affiliation: Section for Social and Clinical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 København Ø, Denmark.
authors.forename: Janine Morgall
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Traulsen
authors.affiliation: Section for Social and Clinical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 København Ø, Denmark.
authors.forename: Helle
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wallach Kildemoes
authors.affiliation: Section for Social and Clinical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 København Ø, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lotte Stig
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Nørgaard
authors.affiliation: A2 Pharmaceutical Consulting, Mother Teresa boulevard, B1, No:19, Prishtinë, Republika e Kosovës.
authors.forename: Arianit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jakupi
authors.affiliation: Medical Faculty, Pharmacy Department, University of Prishtina, Bulevardi Dëshmorët e Kombit, p.n., 10000 Prishtinë, Republika e Kosovës.
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raka
authors.affiliation: Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency, Söğütözü Mahallesi 2176. Sokak, No:5 PK:06520, Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Emre Umut
authors.initials: EU
authors.lastname: Gürpinar
authors.affiliation: Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency, Söğütözü Mahallesi 2176. Sokak, No:5 PK:06520, Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alkan
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine Tirana, Albania, Fakulteti Farmacise, Rr. Dibres 371, 1000 Tirana, Albania.
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hoxha
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine Tirana, Albania, Fakulteti Farmacise, Rr. Dibres 371, 1000 Tirana, Albania.
authors.forename: Admir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malaj
authors.affiliation: Section for Social and Clinical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 København Ø, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lourdes Arevalo
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Cantarero
keywords: Antibiotic use culture; Multi-country project; Qualitative methodology