The framework approach is a systematic method for qualitative data analysis, widely used in healthcare research. It was developed in the 1980s by social policy researchers to analyze qualitative data in policy research. The approach involves structured topic guides to identify patterns in data, contrasting with inductive methods like grounded theory. It emphasizes transparency and an audit trail, enhancing the rigor of the analytical process. This article outlines the framework approach, its application in healthcare research, and provides a working example from a study on parents' experiences of managing their child's hydrocephalus. The framework approach is particularly suited to analyzing cross-sectional descriptive data and enables researchers to move back and forth across the data to develop a coherent account. It involves interconnected stages that allow for the refinement of themes and the development of a conceptual framework. The process includes data management, coding, and the development of a coding index. The coding matrix is used to identify codes and categories, which are then refined into themes and core concepts. The framework approach is applied in healthcare research to explore patient experiences and understand the complexities of health and well-being. It allows for the development of core concepts, such as uncertainty, becoming an expert, and living a normal life, which reflect parents' experiences of managing their child's hydrocephalus. The approach emphasizes the importance of staying true to participants' descriptions and ensuring the credibility of findings through transparent analysis. The framework approach is valuable for qualitative healthcare research, providing a structured method for data analysis that enhances the rigor and validity of findings. It is particularly useful for novice researchers, as it offers a clear route map for the analysis process. The approach involves iterative processes that allow for the refinement of themes and the development of a conceptual framework, ensuring that the research is grounded in participants' experiences. The use of qualitative software packages like NVivo can aid in data management and analysis, facilitating the identification of patterns and themes. Overall, the framework approach is a valuable tool for qualitative data analysis in healthcare research, enabling a systematic and transparent analysis of complex phenomena.The framework approach is a systematic method for qualitative data analysis, widely used in healthcare research. It was developed in the 1980s by social policy researchers to analyze qualitative data in policy research. The approach involves structured topic guides to identify patterns in data, contrasting with inductive methods like grounded theory. It emphasizes transparency and an audit trail, enhancing the rigor of the analytical process. This article outlines the framework approach, its application in healthcare research, and provides a working example from a study on parents' experiences of managing their child's hydrocephalus. The framework approach is particularly suited to analyzing cross-sectional descriptive data and enables researchers to move back and forth across the data to develop a coherent account. It involves interconnected stages that allow for the refinement of themes and the development of a conceptual framework. The process includes data management, coding, and the development of a coding index. The coding matrix is used to identify codes and categories, which are then refined into themes and core concepts. The framework approach is applied in healthcare research to explore patient experiences and understand the complexities of health and well-being. It allows for the development of core concepts, such as uncertainty, becoming an expert, and living a normal life, which reflect parents' experiences of managing their child's hydrocephalus. The approach emphasizes the importance of staying true to participants' descriptions and ensuring the credibility of findings through transparent analysis. The framework approach is valuable for qualitative healthcare research, providing a structured method for data analysis that enhances the rigor and validity of findings. It is particularly useful for novice researchers, as it offers a clear route map for the analysis process. The approach involves iterative processes that allow for the refinement of themes and the development of a conceptual framework, ensuring that the research is grounded in participants' experiences. The use of qualitative software packages like NVivo can aid in data management and analysis, facilitating the identification of patterns and themes. Overall, the framework approach is a valuable tool for qualitative data analysis in healthcare research, enabling a systematic and transparent analysis of complex phenomena.