Archive for category: Uncategorized

Discussion Over Hypertension due to Obesity…..

We will be reviewing a “keeper study” this week—evaluate an article by working through the following 7 questions

Again, keeper studies can be identified using handy Rapid Critical Appraisal checklists consisting of a set of simple but important questions. Below are sample questions developed for use with quantitative studies that are applicable to most appraisal situations (it’s important to note that qualitative evidence, if it’s relevant to the clinical question, should not be dismissed):

Why was the study done? Make sure the study is directly relevant to the clinical question.

What is the sample size? Size can and should vary according to the nature of the study. Since determining a valid minimum sample size in a single study can be difficult, taking into account multiple studies is beneficial.

The answer to this question alone should not remove a study from the appraisal process.

Are instruments of the variables in the study clearly defined and reliable? Make sure the variables were consistently applied throughout the study and that they measured what the researchers said they were going to measure.

How was the data analyzed?

Make sure that any statistics are relevant to the clinical question.

Were there any unusual events during the study? If the sample size changed, for example, determine whether that has ramifications if you wish to replicate the study.

How do the results fit in with previous research in this area? Make sure the study builds on other studies of a similar nature.

What are the implications of the research for clinical practice? Ask whether the study addresses a relevant and important clinical issue.

As you work on your capstone project proposal, you will want to share your progress with your peers and instructor and seek or provide guidance or share insights. By the due date assigned, go to the Discussion Area and post responses to the discussion question. All responses should be posted to the appropriate topic in this Discussion Area. It is important to support what you say with relevant citations in the APA format from both the course materials and outside resources. Include the South University online library in your research activities utilizing not only the nursing resource database, but also those pertaining to education, business, and human resources.

I have to add my PICOT question to the end of it. So here it is too.

PICOT Question

The PICOT question is, ‘does healthy lifestyle among individuals with high blood pressure lead to better management of the condition as compared to hypertension patients who seek medical treatment in a recovery period of eight months?’In this context, a healthy lifestyle means regular exercise and healthy food.

WEEK 5 NOTES I tried to upload them and it told me it was an invalid upload, Hmmm weird

Critical Appraisal

Questions to ask when evaluating a study:

1. Is this relevant to my patient or the problem?

• Once you begin reading an article, you may find that the study population isn’t representative of the patient or problem you are treating or addressing. Research abstracts alone do not always make this apparent.
• You may also find that while a study population or problem matches that of your patient, the study did not focus on an aspect of the problem you are interested in. E.g. You may find that a study looks at oral administration of an antibiotic before a surgical procedure, but doesn’t address the timing of the administration of the antibiotic.
• The question of relevance is primary when assessing an article–if the article or report is not relevant, then the validity of the article won’t matter (Slawson & Shaughnessy, 1997).
• Validity is the extent to which the methods and conclusions of a study accurately reflect or represent the truth. Validity in a research article or report has two parts: 1) Internal validity–i.e. do the results of the study mean what they are presented as meaning? e.g. were bias and/or confounding factors present?; and 2) External validity–i.e. are the study results generalizable? e.g. can the results be applied outside of the study setting and population(s)?
• Study reliability refers to the “repeatability” of the study—that is, if the study were repeated under the same circumstances, would the results be the same?

2. Is the evidence in this study valid?

3. Is the study reliable?

Instrument reliability refers to the consistency of the instruments—will they yield the same results under the same conditions?

Rapid Critical Appraisal (RCA)

This first step is actually composed of two parts. The first enables clinicians to identify, from the enormous quantities of published research, those studies that are most relevant to the specific clinical question at hand and are valid. These studies are called “keeper studies.”

The second part involves the appraisal of the keeper studies.

Keeper studies can be identified using handy Rapid

Critical Appraisal checklists consisting of a set of simple but important questions. Below are sample questions developed for use with quantitative studies that are applicable to most appraisal situations (it’s important to note that qualitative evidence, if it’s relevant to the clinical question, should not be dismissed):

1. Why was the study done? Make sure the study is directly relevant to the clinical question.

2. What is the sample size? Size can and should vary according to the nature of the study. Since determining a valid minimum sample size in a single study can be difficult, taking into account multiple studies is beneficial.

The answer to this question alone should not remove a study from the appraisal process.

3. Are instruments of the variables in the study clearly defined and reliable? Make sure the variables were consistently applied throughout the study and that they measured what the researchers said they were going to measure.

4. How was the data analyzed?

Make sure that any statistics are relevant to the clinical question.

5. Were there any unusual events during the study? If the sample size changed, for example, determine whether that has ramifications if you wish to replicate the study.

6. How do the results fit in with previous research in this area? Make sure the study builds on other studies of a similar nature.

7. What are the implications of the research for clinical practice? Ask whether the study addresses a relevant and important clinical issue.

Valid and Reliable

Once keeper studies have been identified, it’s time to analyze them using a similar set of RCA questions, but ones that enable clinicians to further hone a study’s applicability to a clinical situation. Below are sample questions—along with sample related sub-questions—taken from the appraisal of study presenting the results of a randomized clinical trial for a drug*:

1. Are the study’s findings valid? Specific sub-questions asking about the participants of the study, the demographic make-up of the control group, and other variables provide further guidance.

2. What are the results of the study and are they important? Readers should also pay attention to the size and significance of the healthcare intervention or treatment proposed, the specific statistics relevant to the clinical situation, and more.

3. Will the results actually help clinicians care for patients? Clinicians should determine whether the results are applicable to his or her set of patients, identify the risks and benefits of the specific treatment recommended, and analyze whether the treatment conforms to patient preferences is feasible within the institution.

*It is also important to recognize that the funding organization behind the study is a factor in determining the reliability of a study.

Clinicians may question studies funded by private entities such as pharmaceutical companies, which may have profit-driven reasons for ensuring positive outcomes.

 

Do you need a similar assignment done for you from scratch? We have qualified writers to help you. We assure you an A+ quality paper that is free from plagiarism. Order now for an Amazing Discount!
Use Discount Code "Newclient" for a 15% Discount!

NB: We do not resell papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.

Ashford 6: – Week 5 – Final Paper

Final Paper

During each week of the course, you have covered various issues and trends associated with the U.S. health care system. For your Final Paper, you will apply the knowledge that you have gained throughout the course and the program of study by analyzing key health policy issues from the perspective of major stakeholders in the U.S. health care system.

The U.S. health care system has been shaped by numerous policies that have been established over a long period. Utilize at least five scholarly sources, including a minimum of three from the Ashford University Library. In an eight- to ten-page paper address the following:

1. Describe general policy making viewpoints that exist today on each of the following health care issues:

   1. Access to Care
   2. Cost of Care
   3. Quality of Care
2. Analyze the roles of the five major stakeholder groups or subgroups listed below in influencing health care policy formulation relative to the following issues: access to care, cost of care, and quality of care. Support and justify your ideas with appropriate research. Based on your research, explain the general position or stance of each group or subgroup as it relates to each of the listed issues (access to care, cost of care, and quality of care).
   
   1. Governmental agency (e.g., County Medical Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
   2. Health care professional association (e.g., American Medical Association, American Nurses Association)
   3. Direct or indirect health care providing organization (e.g., hospital, long-term health care facility, pharmaceutical manufacturer, managed care organization)
   4. Politicians (e.g., political party, President, U.S. Senate)
   5. Patients (e.g., general population, special populations)
3. Evaluate the pros and cons associated with the involvement of the stakeholders in each group or subgroup in health care policymaking, including their position and their influence on the issues.
4. Predict the future direction of health care policy on each of the issues (access to care, cost of care, and quality of care). From the perspective of a health care administrator, include a critical reflection on the social, cultural, economic, ethical, and regulatory implications as well as the changes required to promote the outcome that you envision. Devote at least one paragraph to each of the issues listed above.

Writing the Final Paper

The Final Paper:

1. Must be eight to ten double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
2. Must include a title page with the following:
   
   1. Title of paper
   2. Student’s name
   3. Course name and number
   4. Instructor’s name
   5. Date submitted
3. Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
4. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
5. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
6. Must use at least five scholarly sources, including a minimum of three from the Ashford Online Library.
7. Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
8. Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

 

Do you need a similar assignment done for you from scratch? We have qualified writers to help you. We assure you an A+ quality paper that is free from plagiarism. Order now for an Amazing Discount!
Use Discount Code "Newclient" for a 15% Discount!

NB: We do not resell papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.

HCA459: Senior Project

TOPIC/TREND: As an administrator, address the challenges of employee recruitment and retention of health care professionals. Additional subtopics may include trends in the nursing workforce, shortage of primary care physicians, staff turnover, retention, and staffing patterns.

 For this assignment, focus on a specific contemporary trend in health care and be sure to include all of the following influences:

• Changes in client characteristics
• Regulation of the health care industry
• Reimbursement patterns and mandates
• Restructuring of health care organizations
• Impact of technology
• Ongoing social and ethical factors

Address the information above as it pertains to your selected topic, in an eight to ten slide (excluding title and reference slides) PowerPoint presentation.

Your presentation should conclude with a summary describing the following concerns:

• Overall, why should health care managers be aware of this change and trend?
• What impact does this trend have on the stakeholder groups involved (e.g., patients, providers, administrators, third-party payers, legislators, etc.) for a specific organization specified (e.g., for profit, nonprofit, hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, etc.).

The information in this presentation will later be used as part of your Senior Project to set the context for the audience you select for a training program on the contemporary trend identified here.

Your presentation must include detailed speaker’s notes (i.e., at least 150 words) for each slide as well as a minimum of one to two scholarly sources from the Ashford University Library and one to two current, scholarly web sources.


Your presentation, and any citations used, must be in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Examples of scholarly web sources are available in this week’s recommended websites. These sources will also count toward the required sources for your Senior Project. Your presentation must be engaging and relevant to your audience. Lines of text on a slide will not be sufficient for this assignment. It should contain images, graphics, and/or multimedia that communicate your training program clearly to your audience. For tips on creating an excellent presentation, read this
overview.

 

Do you need a similar assignment done for you from scratch? We have qualified writers to help you. We assure you an A+ quality paper that is free from plagiarism. Order now for an Amazing Discount!
Use Discount Code "Newclient" for a 15% Discount!

NB: We do not resell papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.

 

Do you need a similar assignment done for you from scratch? We have qualified writers to help you. We assure you an A+ quality paper that is free from plagiarism. Order now for an Amazing Discount!
Use Discount Code "Newclient" for a 15% Discount!

NB: We do not resell papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.