Methodological Approaches to Capturing Youth Perspectives on the Future of Medicine in Ghana,

Understanding youth perspectives is vital for shaping the future of medicine in Africa, but robust methodologies for capturing these views within Ghana are lacking. Existing approaches frequently do not meaningfully engage young people in healthcare foresight. This article details the development of a methodological framework to systematically capture and analyse Ghanaian youth perspectives on the future of medicine. Its primary objective is to provide a replicable, context-sensitive approach for qualitative inquiry in this domain. The framework integrates participatory action research principles with multi-method qualitative data collection. It involves purposive sampling of youth from diverse educational and regional backgrounds. Data collection employs focus group discussions, scenario-building workshops, and digital storytelling. A structured thematic analysis protocol, using both inductive and deductive coding, ensures analytical rigour. As a methodology article, it presents no empirical results from applying the framework. The findings detail the developed protocol, including a core analytical theme identified during pilot testing: the tension between technological advancement and the preservation of empathetic, patient-centred care. The proposed framework offers a structured, participatory, and culturally attuned methodology for investigating youth perspectives on medical futures in Ghana. It addresses a gap in methodological literature relevant to African health foresight. Researchers are encouraged to adapt this framework, ensuring prolonged engagement with youth participants and integrating findings with policy analysis. Further methodological refinement should consider longitudinal designs to track evolving perspectives. Methodology, youth perspectives, future of medicine, Ghana, qualitative research, participatory action research, health foresight This article provides a methodological framework for researchers and policymakers seeking to incorporate youth voices into strategic planning for healthcare systems in Ghana and similar contexts.