Article Analysis: 'Utilizing Conjoint Analysis to Explicate Healthcare Decision Making'

I was asked to identify if this research study was quantitative or qualitative and found that it was quantitative in nature. According to Hagan (2010) the definition of quantitative is, “Investigations that involve heavy use of statistical procedures; statistical manipulations of data considered primary in an effort to discover patterns of behavior” (p. 14). Based on this and the fact that the researchers conducted their own research and provided statistics, I believe my finding is factual and sound.

This paper will discuss three theories of decision-making that can be adopted in nursing practice, additionally how decision-making theories are able to be implemented and used. Decision-making in nursing is adopted through the critical thinking process that provides each nurse a model to make the best choices, solve problems and to meet goals in clinical practice (Berman & Kozier 2018, pp. 199-200; Levett-Jones & Hoffman 2013, pp. 4-5). Effective decision-making in nursing is a vital component and part of the role of a registered nurse; each year a substantial number of patients die due to medical errors and poor decision-making (Levett-Jones & Hoffman 2013, pp. 4-5; Nibbelink & Brewer 2017, p. 3). Through the use of

Quantitative research is done to find the accurate facts by evaluating the problems like opinion, behaviour by using numerical data. This research is based on theories, hypothesis, collecting, analysing the data to make the research accurate.

Standing (2011), defines clinical decision-making as a complex process that involves observation, gathering information, critical thinking, evaluating evidence, applying necessary knowledge, reflection and problem-solving skills. Every day nurses make important clinical decisions and these decisions have important implications for patient outcomes and deserve serious consideration. Therefore, it is important for nurses to have a better insight of the decision-making process, be able to deliver holistic care and meet essential and complex physical and mental health needs of the patient.

The differences in critical thinking skills can be applied to a clinical setting to compare the differences between an ADN, diploma and BSN education. One of the clinical setting scenarios that illustrate the differences in decision-making based on educational preparation is in the case of discharge planning. The clinical picture is that of an eighty-year old female being discharged after a fall that created a significant wound requiring complex wound care and a wound vacuum. Her spouse requires a walker and help with his activity of daily living (ADLs). They live together and up until this point the female drove for both of them. It is up to the RN to

Decision-making is a vital component of clinical nursing practice, as it is present in all aspects of the care process and in individual or collaborative settings. Within the simulation 2, Mr. Patience, an 86 y/p widow is becoming increasingly frail and has recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Admitted 2 weeks prior to the urology unit, the patient’s delirium has been resolved, recently had a transurethral resection of the prostate and is determined to not be a candidate for prostatectomy. The current plan is for further conservative therapy. Through the application of the Lasater Clinical Judgement model and effective collaborative inductive reasoning, critical thinking, decision-making and reflection, adequate assessment, diagnosis and intervention was taken to achieve positive health outcomes for the patient.

So it is extremely important that the RN and other team member have a two-way open dialog to ensure that the necessary information is obtained. When team members come together in such a collaborative way, it promotes an atmosphere that allows discussions that can solve complex client health care problems, prevent errors, and allows the RN to act as an advocate for the client. In the plan of care when the RN is continuously reviewing the chart and client status, this collaboration is critical. It allows the RN to ensure that all disciplines involved in the clients care are up to date and doing their part to contribute to the expected goals. In most situations it is the responsibility of the RN to organize these collaborations when they believe a client could benefit from

Thinking in such a scenario shifts from mere speculations to thinking rationally by widening the scope of thinking. Nevertheless, this is a decision that the nurse makes rather than the policies and guidelines established to govern nursing practice. The nurse moves from basic reasoning to “critical reasoning through active reflection and subsequent judgment” (Benner, Hughes, & Sutphen, 2008, p. 3). This cannot take place automatically. The nurse has to be conscious or aware that s/he is thinking critically about a situation or an intervention strategy.

Quantitative research methods are objective as it uses measurements and analysis of statistical data to answer the study question. The researchers’ opinions do not affect the outcome of the study, ensuring that the study is unbiased. Another advantage is quantitative research uses numbers and statistics which is understood universally (Houser,2008).

Within the practice of nursing, situations often arise where nurses are forced to make decisions regardless of their level of experience in the profession. Providing care and following the physician’s orders historically were the nurse’s sole responsibilities. However, social change, changes in health care finances, increasing international perspectives, and demographic population changes, have resulted in a significant evolution of the roles and responsibilities emplaced on today’s nurses (The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS), 2007). Kelly and Crawford (2013) believe budget cuts, higher client acuity and clients with complex needs, mergers of hospital corporations as well as a general shortage of qualified nurses has made it necessary for nurses to play a role in decision making. Decision making is defined as “cognitive process leading to the selection of a course of action among alternatives” (Kelly & Crawford, 2013, p. 352).

In defining quantitative research the term can be dichotomized. Firstly, research refers to creative, systematic work with the intention to increase the knowledge of man and thereby devise new applications (OECD, 2002). In addition Gray (1997) stated that research should improve performance and that the results should be

Nurses have to make daily decisions on prioritization and types of patient care required. (making better) notes that wrong choices in patient care can result in harm to the patient or just poor quality care in general, and the exhausting of resources that in some situations may be vital for patient care. While many factors can come into play with the nurse’s decision, such as diagnostic studies, assessment results, and physician recommendations, nurses need to remember to use critical thinking, even in extremely stressful situations such as triage. (making better) notes that this does becomes easier with

General speaking, quantitative research is thought to be objective, however qualitative research often involves a subjective element. There are differences designs in qualitative research in comparison to quantitative research. Qualitative research involves words, pictures, or objects; Quantitative involves data in the form of numbers and statistics.

Quantitative Research- a research based on experimental data, a survey that proves the actuality of the theory.

Quantitative research methods are utilized to study the natural phenomena. So, it includes survey methods, formal methods, and numerical methods.