Evidence-Based Practice of Nursing Research - Essay Example

? Nursing Research The essay aims to address a two-fold objective to wit to begin a research on the topic of interest; and (2) to help make research relevant to the author. Nursing Research Introduction Nurses are increasingly engaged in various research and developments that would improve delivery of care and patient’s safety. One of the emerging trends in nursing nowadays is the adoption of an evidence-based practice as a guide in professional nursing practice. Evidence-based practice is the product of nursing research, a systematic inquiry developed to establish evidence about issues of importance to the nursing profession, practice, education, administration, and informatics. A number of researches have been made for the past years focusing on assessment tool, healthcare delivery, and different treatment modalities. Others focused on special groups or populations such as the children, men or women, adults, and elderly. An example of topic made in nursing research is the urinary continence experienced among elderly. Despite advances made in the field of nursing regarding urinary incontinence, the risk of incidence among elderly is still increasing (Pringle-Specht, 2005, 58); thus, the author had thought of what might still possibly cause increase in incidence of urinary incontinence among elderly and how could the current quality of care provided be improved. In line with this, the paper will provide an overview of what the research will look like, as well as the goals for the activity undertaken. In addition, the paper will identify the problem, the significance of addressing the problem, and the search terms used in the review of literatures. Furthermore, the author will present the summary of the two selected research articles, the evidence of gaps between the literature and the research problem, the research question, approach and design, the research hypothesis, concepts or variables under investigation, the target and accessible population, the sampling procedure, the researchability and feasibility of the study, the challenges of conducting the research, and a conclusion. Goal The overall goal of the research activity is to identify whether the use of catheters and diapers as interventions increase the risk of urinary incontinence among elderly patients. The specific goals or purposes of the study are: (1) to identify other treatment modalities to prevent or control urinary incontinence among elderly patients; (2) to test the hypothesis concerning the relative risks of using diapers and catheters among urinary incontinent elderly patients; and (3) to use the findings to develop recommendations for possible changes in interventions for urinary incontinence. Problem Statement Use of urinary catheters and diapers while in the hospital increases the risk of urinary incontinence among elderly patients, and interventions to date found that diapers and catheters are often used as a first-line treatment for urinary incontinence (Schnelle & Smith, 2001, 754). Other treatment modalities are to be identified to reduce increasing risks of urinary incontinence among elderly. Significance of Addressing the Problem The study is significant to the geriatric patients as the risk of developing urinary incontinence due to catheters and diaper would be prevented. In addition, diminishing the use of diapers and catheters in elderly will boost their self-esteem and facilitate routine urination. The result of the study would benefit the nurses and the nursing profession because of addressing the changes that should be made in common nursing practice which is frequent use of catheters and diapers in geriatric patients as this may further contribute to urinary incontinence. Researchers from the related field would also benefit from the study for providing information about one of the causes of urinary incontinence among geriatric patients. Search Terms in Literature Databases from CINAHL, PubMed, Medline, NCBI, and Google Scholar were used in search of related literatures and studies. Terms like “catheters and diaper use in elderly”, “urinary incontinence in elderly”, and “use of catheters and diapers in urinary incontinence” were entered in the databases to search for research items. Summary of 2 Literatures’ Findings Findings from Pringle-Specht (2005) revealed the 9 myths of incontinence among older adults, among of which stated that older adults don’t mind being incontinent and wearing pads and indwelling catheters are the best intervention for intractable urinary incontinence (p. 65-66). Incontinence pads or diapers are often used in the hospital and residential settings because older adults were not presented with other treatment options. Incontinent pads only forces patients to be incontinent and making older adults reliant on pads is harmful. In addition, pads that aren’t changed frequently may lead to skin breakdown, urinary tract infections, and odor. Meanwhile, the use of urinary catheters among urinary incontinent patients is also not advisable as it may increase risk and discomfort. The study suggests that catheters should be used only after all attempts to help the patient regain continence have been made. The study of Palmer and Faan (2008) relate behavioral change theories to use of absorbent products or diapers and catheters; the study found out that using diapers and catheters only contribute to incontinence because elderly are not trained to control their urination (p. 441). The study also suggests that the use of absorbent pads and catheters should be based on the resident’s needs and preferences and on the consideration and evaluation of alternative treatments rather than on the convenience of the staff. Gaps between Literatures and Research Problem The research problem presented has minimal gaps with the literatures that have been found. The research problem only seek to determine whether the use of diapers and catheters increase the risk of urinary incontinence. On the other note, the literatures gathered did not only presented the same idea that the use of diapers and catheters increase the risk of urinary incontinence but also presented additional information that the use of diapers and catheters increase the risk for skin breakdown, urinary tract infections, and odor. Use of diapers and catheters are part of the nursing care for urinary incontinent patients but literatures state that these measures should not be used as first-line of treatment and that it should be based on the types or urinary incontinence, patient’s and doctor’s preferences. Research Question In elderly patients aged 70 and older, is there a significant relationship between the use of catheters and diapers while in the hospital and the increased risk of urinary incontinence? Research Approach and Design A quantitative approach will be used in the study as this type of approach structures knowledge and determines how a given behavior or practice influence the current practice. The quantitative approach is also apt for the proposed study as it uses deductive reasoning, objectivity, quazi-experiments, statistical techniques, and control. Because the sampling procedure is non-random in nature, the quasi-experimental design will be used in the study. Research Hypothesis There is no significant relationship between the use of catheters and diapers while in the hospital and the increased risk of urinary incontinence among geriatric/elderly patients aged 70 and older. Variables Variables under investigation consist of the independent and dependent variables. The independent variable is the use of catheters and diapers while in the hospital while the dependent variable is the increased risk for urinary incontinence. Target Population The target population is 50 elderly patients aged 70 and older in the selected hospital of the researcher. Accessible Population The accessible population includes elderly patients from a nearby community hospital and residential care settings. Sampling Procedure Upon seeking consent from the hospital and target participants of the study, a sampling procedure will be selected. The researcher plans to collect data from any elderly patients aged 70 and older who happens to use diapers or urinary catheters to control incontinence, thus, a non-probability (non-random) sampling would be appropriate. Because the researcher has preconceived knowledge of the supposed characteristics of the population, the researcher will use the purposive non-probability sampling method and will handpick elderly participants meeting the purpose of the research. Researchability The problem is researchable as it will focus on the beliefs and perceptions of the subjects about urinary incontinence and on the impact of the proposed action (use of diapers and catheters) to the relative risks of urinary incontinence. The research question is also not answerable by a simple yes or no but encourages collection of data from participants to determine that relationship exists between variables. In addition, the researcher believed that the study will explain, describe, identify, substantiate and predict the relationship between use of diapers and urinary catheters to the increased risk of urinary incontinence. Feasibility The study is feasible due to the following reasons: the total length of time needed to complete the study is 6 months and proper allocation of time availability will be made to meet the proposed time; money, equipment and facilities, and other resources are available; there is enough people with the desired characteristics; researcher has knowledge of the basic concepts of conducting a research and has strong motivation and enthusiasm to pursue the study; and the study will consider and explore the ethical considerations among human subjects. Learnings and Challenges In this activity, I have learned the different steps in conducting a research. I also learned how to give direction to my research, find and establish a problem, and search in various databases using key terms. It is in this activity that I made examples of literatures through summary of the findings and identify whether these literatures have gaps with the research problem I made. I also learned how to create a blueprint of my research by identifying the research approach, design, hypothesis, variables, target population, and sampling procedure that will be used in the study. Lastly, I learned how to evaluate the researchability and feasibility of my own research. If there’s one challenge that I’ve encountered while doing this activity, it is thinking of the key terms to use in doing my literature search. Conclusion In this paper, I discussed one of the newest trends in nursing – nursing research. In this paper also, I made a blueprint of a research in nursing and delineate my general and specific goals in conducting the study. The problem and its significance were also addressed in the paper. In addition, the search terms in the literature were identified. The author discussed the findings of the literatures through the provision of a brief summary. At the same time, a critique has been established through examining the gaps between the research problem and the literatures. In this paper, I discussed the research problem, approach and design, hypothesis, variables, target and accessible population, sampling procedure, researchability and feasibility of my study. Furthermore, I discussed also the learnings and challenges that I’ve experienced while doing the activity. References Palmer, M.H. & Faan, C. (2008). Urinary Incontinence Quality Improvement in Nursing Homes: Where Have We Been? Where Are We Going? Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates, 28(6):439-444. Pringle-Specht, J.K. (2005). 9 Myths of Incontinence in Older Adults. American Journal of Nursing, 105(6): 58-68. Schnelle, J.F. & Smith, R.L. (2001). Quality Indicators for the Management of Urinary Incontinence in Vulnerable Community-Dwelling Elders. Annals of Internal Medicine, 135(8): 752-758. Read More