Title: Nursing Scholarly Article Summary: The Research Process, Study Type, Purpose, and Research Questions
Introduction
Nursing research plays a critical role in advancing the profession by generating evidence-based knowledge and improving patient outcomes. In this assignment, I will summarize a nursing scholarly article related to my clinical practice and analyze its research process, study type, purpose, and research questions. This analysis will provide insights into the study’s design and relevance to the nursing field.
Summary of the Article
The selected article is titled “Effectiveness of a Nurse-Led Intervention on Self-Care Management in Elderly Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus” and was published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing in 2018. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led intervention in improving self-care management among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Research Process Overview
The study followed a systematic research process that involved several steps, including problem identification, literature review, study design, data collection, data analysis, and conclusion drawing. By adhering to these steps, the researchers ensured the validity and reliability of their findings.
Problem Identification
The research problem addressed in this study was the suboptimal self-care management among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The authors highlighted that older adults often face challenges in managing their diabetes due to comorbidities, cognitive impairments, and limited access to healthcare resources. Therefore, the need for a nurse-led intervention to improve self-care management in this population was identified.
Literature Review
The literature review played a crucial role in establishing the background knowledge and identifying the research gap. The authors reviewed relevant studies on interventions targeting self-care management in diabetes patients, focusing specifically on those involving nurses as primary caregivers. This review enabled them to build upon existing evidence and ensure the novelty of their study.
Study Design
This study utilized a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design, which is considered the gold standard for evaluating the effectiveness of interventions. The researchers randomly assigned eligible elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus into two groups: an intervention group receiving nurse-led education and a control group receiving standard care. By using randomization, the study aimed to minimize selection bias and increase the internal validity of the findings.
Data Collection
Data collection in this study involved both quantitative and qualitative methods. The researchers gathered demographic information and clinical data from the participants through structured interviews and medical records. They also conducted semi-structured interviews to explore the patients’ perspectives on the intervention and its impact on their self-care management. This mixed-method approach allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the intervention’s effectiveness.
Data Analysis
Quantitative data obtained from the structured interviews and medical records were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The researchers calculated means, standard deviations, and conducted t-tests to compare the intervention and control groups. Qualitative data from the semi-structured interviews were analyzed thematically to identify patterns and themes related to the patients’ experiences with the intervention.
Conclusion Drawing
Based on their analysis, the researchers concluded that the nurse-led intervention was effective in improving self-care management among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The findings suggested that nurse-led educational interventions could positively influence patients’ knowledge, self-efficacy, and glycemic control. These conclusions align with the study’s purpose and have implications for nursing practice and policy development.
Overall, this study followed a robust research process, utilizing a randomized controlled trial design and combining qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods. By addressing the gap in literature and demonstrating the effectiveness of a nurse-led intervention, the study contributes valuable insights to nursing practice in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus in elderly patients.
References:
(Author 1), (Author 2). (Year). Effectiveness of a Nurse-Led Intervention on Self-Care Management in Elderly Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Journal of Advanced Nursing, X(X), XXX-XXX.