Critiquing Qualitative Research

The convenience sampling that was used in recruiting all male patients who were on blood pressure medications is a glaring bias in this study. There was no information provided addressing why the patients were presenting to the clinic. There are many interventions that can raise blood pressure. For example, the study conducted by Marshall, Anantharachagan, Choudhary, Chue and Kaurhis, (2002) investigated the effect of situational anxiety on blood pressure experienced in anticipation of a blood test. Marshall, et. al., (2002) found that anticipation of a blood test can raise blood pressure. Foster-Fitzpatrick, et. al., 1999 did not address the purpose of the patient’s visit to the clinic.

Type 2 diabetes is a major challenge facing the world today. It is estimated there are currently 245 million people with diabetes and that number will climb to 380 million in 20 years. Patients are currently told to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, monitor blood glucose, and take medications but that obviously isn’t enough. Long lasting behavior change is needed to achieve better self-care. In order to improve the overall quality of care for diabetic patients, psychological factors and supporting mechanisms are of great importance.

During the last four weeks we have covered many topics on chronic illnesses and I chose to research Diabetes Mellitus Type 2. In the first week, I learned more about the different types of Diabetes Mellitus, such as Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes; morbidity and co-morbidities of diabetes, and the cost to people that suffer from Diabetes. I also developed a questionnaire to administer to a person with Diabetes Mellitus. In the second week,

Ryan, Coughlan, and Cronin (2007); Beck (2009) suggest that a research title should be unambiguous. A clear, accurate and concise header forms a major component or guideline for analyzing a qualitative study. Armed with this information, the title of the study is clear, concise and arrests the attention of the reader. From reading the title of the research article, it is easy to understand that the study focuses on looking at factors that contributes to aggressive behavior (AB) in the dementia patient population living in a nursing home. The title would precipitate further reading into the research study.

Diabetes care basically includes a patient’s lifestyle, treatment adherence, and other health related behaviors (Pyrot et al 2006). The daily management of diabetes can be a very challenging and daunting task. Individuals with diabetes are charged with making healthy decisions about regulating their food regimen, exercise, closely monitoring their blood glucose, and self administering their medications (Sabourin & Pursley 2013). A patient’s perspective on how they view diabetes will impact how well they may psychologically adjust to the chronic illness which impacts their emotional distress level (Gois, Ferro, Santos, Sousa, Oukinin, Carmo, & Barbosa 2012). A negative perspective could increase their distress level and make them more susceptible to developing and/ or worsening depressive symptoms. Moreover, how accurately patients are able to self-disclose to their health care providers impacts their treatment. Diabetes treatment relies heavily on self-care activities, which are monitored indirectly by healthcare providers based on patient self-report. Inaccurate self-reports may limit a healthcare provider’s ability to accurately assess the status of a patient and make appropriate treatment recommendations (Gonzalz & Scheider

2b) The authors provided the reader a lot of information on the topic. Each topic was very well explored. A lot of different information on different but similar studies. The authors seemed very knowledgeable on the topic. This article lacked a few things. A clear research question and a hypothesis. The paragraphs were not clear and consist, I felt that I had to dig to get certain information. The paper was very wordy, which made me have a hard time understanding the substance.

This article was poorly structured and it wasn’t organized well. It didn’t look like any research went into. Similarly, there was no introduction

It also shows that not having someone to help these patients manage their diabetes as an obstacle to good diabetes management. This study created a plan and this plan was able to be tested to show its effectiveness in diabetes

Dominique presented on Population Health Management and Standardized Care in Type 2 Diabetes. The meeting was held November 1st at 3:00-4:00pm in the Corporate Auditorium at Centura Health Corporate Building. The concentration of her presentation was based on Figure 2 and Figure 2 maps. Figure 1 represents the increase shade of blue proportional to the increase of percentage being told they had diabetes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

Diabetic patients will be invited to participate in the voluntary study based on the results of the PHQ-9 depression section of the patient stress questionnaire, a standard measurement tool utilized at the clinic. Patients that agree to participate in the study will be administered the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS), also a standard measurement tool utilized at the clinic. The co-investigator and external researcher will be responsible for consenting participants. The co-investigator and external researcher coordinate consent at the Matthews Free Medical Clinic or a designated off-site location. Individuals whose primary language is Spanish will be provided a translated written consent for participants who are Non-English speaking.

Did you summarize the article in your own words including the finding of the study? Yes

I do not believe the article can be improved upon. It has statistics and studies proving the point it was trying to make. It also does not make fake or biased claims and has a very precise assessment.

Personally I feel as if the style and organization of the article is lacking extremely. Gerson

Crombie & Davies (1997) stated that the article title gives an understanding of what the study is going to be about and the author intentions of how the study will be done. The

Described below is a critical appraisal of a qualitative article by Lisa Booth using the frame-work suggested by Ryan, Coughlan and Cronin 2007 to establish its believability, robustness, credibility and integrity (Ryan, Coughlan & Cronin, 2007).