Challenges and opportunities in clinical field research: A Bourdieusian analysis of Fiocruz’s experience in Brazil
- 1Social Responsibility, Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- 2Clinical Research Platform, Vice-Presidency of Research and Biological Collections, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- 3Independent Scholar, Varginha, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Abstract
To identify and analyze the main challenges and opportunities of clinical field research from the perspective of Pierre Bourdieu’s reflexive sociology, using the experiences of the Fiocruz Clinical Research Platform in Brazil as a case study. A convergent mixed-methods study with a cross-sectional design was conducted involving 51 research team members linked to Fiocruz calls for proposals. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data underwent thematic analysis supported by MAXQDA, grounded in the analytical categories of field, habitus, and capital. The sample comprised predominantly women (76.5%) and highly qualified professionals with graduate degrees (80.4%). Logistical challenges were almost ubiquitous (96.1%), with access to remote locations being the most frequently cited barrier (82.4%), highlighting geographic isolation as a major constraint on knowledge production. Ethical challenges were reported by 52.9% of the agents, with obtaining the Informed Consent Form or Assent Form being the most frequent barrier (35.3%). This challenge was largely driven by participants’ comprehension difficulties (61.1%), misinformation (55.6%), and mistrust (50.0%). Notably, the study revealed an engagement paradox: although 90.2% of researchers perceived direct impact on the community as a significant opportunity, inclusive practices remained scarce. Specifically, 80.4% did not consult local leaders, and 88.2% did not integrate community residents into the field teams. The logistical and ethical barriers reflect structural vulnerabilities and capital asymmetries in the scientific field, where the researcher’s symbolic authority often legitimizes social distance from the territory. Consolidating clinical field research as a driver of equity within the Unified Health System (SUS) depends on the institutional capacity to convert scientific capital into social capital. It is imperative to transcend technocratic perspectives by institutionalizing operational risk management and strengthening symmetrical dialogues that recognize communities as subjects with legitimate cultural capital.
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BibTeX
@article{diniz2026challenges,
title = {{Challenges and opportunities in clinical field research: A Bourdieusian analysis of Fiocruz’s experience in Brazil}},
author = {Renata Caldeira Diniz and Jocieli Malacarne and Cássia Ronise Senra Silva and Marcia Cristina Senra Marinho de Lima and Natalia Pacheco de Moraes and Thais Regina Araújo dos Santos and André Bastos Daher and Júlio Castro Alves de Lima e Silva and Karla Regina da Silva Gram},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0359217},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0359217},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Challenges and opportunities in clinical field research: A Bourdieusian analysis of Fiocruz’s experience in Brazil
AU - Renata Caldeira Diniz
AU - Jocieli Malacarne
AU - Cássia Ronise Senra Silva
AU - Marcia Cristina Senra Marinho de Lima
AU - Natalia Pacheco de Moraes
AU - Thais Regina Araújo dos Santos
AU - André Bastos Daher
AU - Júlio Castro Alves de Lima e Silva
AU - Karla Regina da Silva Gram
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/25
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0359217
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0359217
AB - To identify and analyze the main challenges and opportunities of clinical field research from the perspective of Pierre Bourdieu’s reflexive sociology, using the experiences of the Fiocruz Clinical Research Platform in Brazil as a case study. A convergent mixed-methods study with a cross-sectional design was conducted involving 51 research team members linked to Fiocruz calls for proposals. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data underwent thematic analysis supported by MAXQDA, grounded in the analytical categories of field, habitus, and capital. The sample comprised predominantly women (76.5%) and highly qualified professionals with graduate degrees (80.4%). Logistical challenges were almost ubiquitous (96.1%), with access to remote locations being the most frequently cited barrier (82.4%), highlighting geographic isolation as a major constraint on knowledge production. Ethical challenges were reported by 52.9% of the agents, with obtaining the Informed Consent Form or Assent Form being the most frequent barrier (35.3%). This challenge was largely driven by participants’ comprehension difficulties (61.1%), misinformation (55.6%), and mistrust (50.0%). Notably, the study revealed an engagement paradox: although 90.2% of researchers perceived direct impact on the community as a significant opportunity, inclusive practices remained scarce. Specifically, 80.4% did not consult local leaders, and 88.2% did not integrate community residents into the field teams. The logistical and ethical barriers reflect structural vulnerabilities and capital asymmetries in the scientific field, where the researcher’s symbolic authority often legitimizes social distance from the territory. Consolidating clinical field research as a driver of equity within the Unified Health System (SUS) depends on the institutional capacity to convert scientific capital into social capital. It is imperative to transcend technocratic perspectives by institutionalizing operational risk management and strengthening symmetrical dialogues that recognize communities as subjects with legitimate cultural capital.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -