Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome and Time - Research Proposal Example

? Increasing Proteins Levels amongst Patients PICOT formatted To determine if within a period of three months, patients witha low protein can increase their protein level by either giving them protein supplement they don’t like or by giving them protein shakes of their choice. Table of Contents PICOT formatted 2 Table of Contents 3 Introduction 4 Research Objectives 4 Literature Review 4 Description of design 6 Research Approach 6 Research Method 6 Description of sample 7 Sampling and Subject Plan 7 Protection of human subjects 7 Description of intervention 8 Method for data collection and analysis 9 Data Collection Procedures 9 Identification of strengths and limitations 9 References: 10 Introduction Research Objectives Due to the widespread incidence of inadequate assistance, training, and support for medical practitioners who work in healthcare settings on advice on protein levels among local communities, the study will aim to address the following objectives: 1. To explore the attitudes and perceptions of patients in healthcare settings toward the options and support that they receive want to increase their protein levels; and To establish recommendations for future research along with implications for practice with regards to the training and support that is provided for medical practitioners in healthcare settings (Marshall, 2007). Literature Review Socrates once said. “There is only one good, knowledge and one evil, ignorance.”This thought should assist us in all what we do, particularly where our health is concerned. Several individuals don’t have any idea of how to maintain good health. When sickness is experienced, Individuals rely on medical practitioners for cure. What they fail to realize is that the cure comes from within. Nature has offered with wonderful immune system, and all we require to do is to take proper care of this internal healing force (Marshall, 2007). Several health stores are stained with the irony that few of their products are in reality healthy, from herbs of unknown utility and purity of dietary supplements capitalizing on current patterns in hair gain or weight loss. Several supplements are top sellers in the market. But a growing research body indicates that one doesn’t need protein supplementation unless you are an athlete having intense training or gravely ill as a result of starvation or any wasting disease which in this case will call for the need ( Marshall, 2007). The new studies emphasize the fact that the most compassionate thing about protein supplements is a waste of money. You reap little advantage and instead put yourself at risk for bone, kidney and heart disease. Medical researchers have warned against protein supplements for several years for the average individuals. But several sports trainers keep on pushing them on amateur athletes since they don't know any better (Creswell, 2003). Individuals need proteins when exercising, especially when they try to build muscles by weightlifting or through other forms of resistance training. The muscle building process involves muscle filament damages and rebuilding them, this calls for more protein (Marshall, 2007). A study published recently, in the journal Nutrition, reviewed more than one thousand adults at fifty ordinary commercial gyms and established that nearly ? of the men were using dietary supplements, largely protein powders, with no direction. None required protein, the researchers concluded (Roberts, Perryman & Rivers, 2009). Correspondingly, a smaller research study by a master's thesis by Martin Frechette from University of Montreal investigated the diets of elite athletes, in part of the Canadian Sport Centre Dietary Research Study. Above 90% of these athletes were using dietary supplements, on recommendation of friend or trainers; only 25% could clarify why they were using it; and of those utilizing protein supplements, above 80% already had enough dietary protein intakes (Roberts, Perryman & Rivers, 2009). Description of design Research Approach My study will make use of a qualitative approach in collecting and analyzing primary data. Qualitative research has been associated with an empirical study that is interpretative, thereby implying that I will be examining variables in their natural environment without any form of manipulation (Creswell, 2003). Because the study focuses on determining if within a period of three months, patients with a low protein can increase their protein level by either giving them protein supplement they don’t like or by giving them protein shakes of their choice, a qualitative approach will allow the researcher to understand and associate meaning as to how the participants make sense of their protein supplements options and the availability of preparations for them. I will also be able to establish physical interaction with the subjects, in this case, through the use of in-depth interviews (Creswell, 2003). Research Method For primary research methodology I will use semi-structured interview that can enable the participants to clarify their answers and to ask to elaborate on these responses, thus more detailed information. This has been deemed suitable for the study as the topic is multi-faceted and will require extensive analysis based on the actual experiences and explanations of the interviewees, especially with the absence of predetermined responses found in highly structured survey questionnaires used in quantitative studies. I will also aim to exert efforts in establishing rapport with the interviewees in order to encourage them to truthfully express their feelings, thoughts and ideas as opposed to what is deemed acceptable (Roberts, Perryman & Rivers, 2009). Description of sample Sampling and Subject Plan My study will carry out a purposive type of sampling which seeks to establish certain criteria that should be followed for the selection of participants, thereby contributing to the relevance of primary data (Creswell, 2003). For the current study, the criteria for inclusion will require that the sample should consist of participants who have been working for local hospitals that offer protein increment assistance to patients who have had such experience for 1 year or more. They should also have understood the roles and responsibilities of such duty and have received preparations and training before and during their medical experience (Roberts, Perryman & Rivers, 2009). Due to the qualitative approach, I will aim to gathering 30 participants with whom the interview process will be conducted to closely examine their perceptions towards the options to be taken to increase protein levels within three months in the healthcare industry. With a smaller sample size, a more in-depth and comprehensive analysis can be obtained (Creswell, 2003). Protection of human subjects Few Individuals suffer from inadequate proteins. The average adult not exercising only requires 60 grams of proteins every day. Individuals who add other protein sources to their diet normally are just adding calories with little or no effect on muscle growth (Roberts, Perryman & Rivers, 2009). There are no specific studies that have identified definitely the short term health complications from excess proteins, but these have been linked with kidney failure, heart disease or osteoporosis. This is due to the fact that unutilized proteins cycles throughout the blood and definitely breaking down into acidic and urea byproducts. This byproduct makes the kidneys strain as they filter through and most likely trigger bone to produce calcium. Current studies show how protein results to inflammation and increases clogged arteries risk (Marshall, 2007). Some individual bodybuilders think that they need a gram per pound of protein for body weight, in relation to the intensity of the training. For this reasons to protect humans who uses supplements, they need to know that irrespective of the kind of proteins they need it is best to use them only during or prior to work out so that the damage muscles can utilize that proteins for repair ( Marshall, 2007). Description of intervention In the first two years, every department will be assigned 10 medical practitioners to participate in the pilot. Training will be delivered to the participating during the period before the first year of the project. The aim will be to build the medical capacities to apply and adapt the model to their own practice and establish how to evaluate their patient’s outcomes (Denzin & Lincoln, 2003). Preliminary evidence gathered informally by the participants has suggested that the extensive latitude afforded to the medical practitioners has led to large variance on how the intervention is being implemented. For Instance, some medical practitioners follow the guidelines they learned in the training sessions meticulously, while others pick and choose among them (Denzin & Lincoln, 2003). Method for data collection and analysis Data Collection Procedures I will collect secondary data for my study by gathering information which is relevant to the chosen subject, specifically through scholarly books and peer-reviewed journal articles as well as other online resources. As such, I will draw on recent findings in examining the chosen subject using a well-structured manner (Denzin & Lincoln, 2003). Collection of primary data will then involve an in-depth interview process among the selected participants with which I will distribute them with consent forms to verify the willingness of the chosen interviewees in their involvement in the study. Accordingly, once I gather interview responses, I will make use of thematic analysis in identifying patterns or themes that are brought up in the interviews and can be used as basis for addressing the research objective and establishing conclusions (Creswell, 2003). Identification of strengths and limitations The key strength on this research study is that first hand information is obtained from the study as a result of qualitative approach to the study. Another strength is that the sample size of 30 participants is quite satisfactorily to gather results that can give a general picture to the whole population. On the other hand the research is expected to be limited by cultural background of the participant as perceptions vary from one individual to another depending on their socio cultural background (Roberts, Perryman & Rivers, 2009). References: Creswell, J.W. (2003). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. Denzin, N., & Lincoln, Y. (2003). The landscape of qualitative research: theories and issues. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. Johnson, R., & Christensen, L. (2004). Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative and mixed approaches. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Marshall, K. (2007). Basic Health Publications User's Guide to Protein and Amino Acids. New York; NY: PAGE Neuman, W.L. (2002). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches (5th ed.). New Jersey: Allyn & Bacon. Roberts, V., Perryman, M., & Rivers, P. (2009). A discussion paper on the assessment of student learning outcomes for healthcare management. Health Education Journal, 68 (2), 140-148. Read More