"On the outside looking in" : reflections on working with vulnerable populations and with challenging topics

Undertaking qualitative research within vulnerable populations presents challenges and opportunities for exploring how to sensitively gather information ethically, effectively, and responsibly. It affords remarkable opportunities to explore/examine sensitive, difficult and emotive human experiences in situ, akin to opening a window to let the sun shine into a darken room. This “illuminating” process can significantly aid health care professionals working with vulnerable persons. Dealing with sensitive topics has its own challenges. Combining a vulnerable population and a sensitive topic requires the researcher demonstrate patience, compassion, a capacity to connect with another inside their story and an underlying willingness to sit with their and sometimes one’s own discomfort.