Nursing Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Nursing Research - Essay Example Critiquing a research work, therefore, involves a careful examination of all aspects of the study, to assess its strength, limitations, meanings and relevance, in a bid to gain adequate up to date knowledge, improve practice and provide essential data necessary for further studies (Hek, 1996; Burns and Grove, 1999). 1. Problem Statement: The study was conducted to evaluate patients' satisfaction with two different routes of follow-up monitoring care for patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis - Primary care settings involving a General Practitioner and/or practice nurse, and Secondary care settings involving a specialist team within hospitals and including case management by a Rheumatology Nurse Specialist (RNS). This research problem is of great importance to the nursing profession, as it evaluates patients' satisfaction to specialized nursing service delivery. 2. Study Purpose: The purpose of the research was to compare Rheumatoid Arthritis patients' satisfaction with a General Practitioner led primary care and a Rheumatology Nurse Specialist (RNS) led secondary care settings. ... it can be inferred from the study aim that the research question would be something like: Are patients more satisfied with primary care or secondary care settings for follow-up care and monitoring 4. Hypothesis/Hypotheses: Hypothesis is a statement, which predicts the performance of a verifiable occurrence in certain conditions, based upon theoretical considerations (Stevens et al, 1993).The hypothesis of this research was not stated, also; however, the main hypothesis the research appear to be testing was: Rheumatoid Arthritis patients undertaking disease modifying antirheumatic therapy (DMARDS) are more satisfied with follow up monitoring and care provided by specialized nurse-led secondary care settings. 5. Study Variables: The two main variables of the research, as identified by the researchers are: primary and secondary monitoring of patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis undertaking DMARDS. 6. Conceptual/ Theoretical Framework: This study was guided theoretically by the former exploratory study carried out by the same authors, which indicated factors such as attitude and empathy, information provision, continuity of care etc influenced patients' satisfaction with care received. The present study sought to explore these qualities within the context of primary and secondary care. 7. Review of Related Literature: According to Massey (1995), the essence of a literature review is to analyze what has been said so far and thus demonstrate what is known about a research problem, and, in the process establish the need for the current study. The authors of this study contend that there was a lack of adequate literatures that relates to the satisfaction of rheumatology patients with monitoring follow-up. They identified and reviewed only three articles. However, one can argue