Table 1.

Rigor and the four-dimensions criteria to evaluate the trustworthiness of the current findings.

Rigor Criteria (Equivalent quantitative criteria)	(Issue) Aim	(Question) Explanation	Technique applied in the current study
Credibility (Internal validity)	(Truth value) To establish confidence and the ability of the study to capture what the research aimed to study, and that the results are true, credible, and believable.	(Have we really measured what we set out to measure?) The data was obtained in a dependable way that can be audited.	Credibility was enhanced by using thick description, while the data was gathered through individual interviews [48] and by providing a sample of the transcribed surveys to two qualitative data analysis experts, each of whom individually coded and categorized the data [17]. The interview guideline was piloted with the first three patients [22].
Dependability (Reliability)	(Consistency) To ensure the findings are repeatable if the method were applied within the same cohort of participants, coders, and context.	(Would the current findings be repeated if the research were replicated in the same context with the same subject?) The consistency of the findings or the stability of the inquiry processes used over time.	Dependability was supported by engaging more than one researcher in the data analysis processes [49].
Confirmability (Objectivity)	(Neutrality) To ensure that the data based on the participants’ narratives and words, and the findings, are shaped by participants rather than by a qualitative researcher.	(To what extent are our findings affected by personal interest and biases?) Neutralize the researcher’s influences.	The technique used to establish confirmability here is the audit trail, which details the current process of data collection, data analysis, and interpretation of the data [50].
Transferability (Generalizability or external validity)	(Applicability) To extend the degree to which the results can be applied to other situations or generalized to other contexts or settings.	(How applicable are the current findings to other subjects and other contexts?) Having the potential for the findings to be generalized to other settings.	A key factor in the transferability of the current study was the representativeness of the participants for that particular group and the input diversity and details [51]. Transferability of the data was improved through the development of rich descriptions in the interviews and the maintaining of detailed notes, to allow for a comparison and judgments about transferability to be made by the reader of this study with other studies conducted in similar contexts [17].