Facilitator:
The society mainly have individualized care and hospital based care as the two major options available for taking care older individuals who have terminal conditions. The health sector bears the burden of ensuring that the old people access the right care, and attention to lengthen their lifespan (Wall, 2010). Deborah explores the Individual care and a nursing home experience in her research on comfort (Deborah et al, 2009). The paper evaluates Deborah’s article by describing whether the studies follows elements of a qualitative research.
Initially, the research problem is clearly stated. The author states that the old people demands a good care to guarantee them a peaceful experience during their terminal illness is essential. However, the researcher observes that this is never the case and the problem remains as old people do not get the comfort treatment they deserve (Deborah et al, 2009). The research states the purpose of the study by describing the main and secondary objectives of the study. It is identifiable that the research targeted determining the protocols absent in the treatment and care for the old people during the terminal stages of life. The research also explored how the nurses in the nursing homes can recognize that a patient is in his or her terminal stages to offer the necessary care. The author highlights that the attendants at the nursing homes appear to lack the skills and prowess to offer the old people a good care hence the need to research into the area.
The research fails to state clearly and broadly the research questions. The research explores a wide subject, but the research questions are not identifiable in the research. Some of the probable research questions in the research would be; what are some of the protocols missing in the terminal life care in nursing homes? Do the nurses and attendants give a proper response to emergencies at the nursing homes? What are the skills that nurses need to work well during the terminal illness for the old people? The research design used in the study matched the requirements of a qualitative research (Wall, 2010). An exploratory design reigned during the research, analyzing data from a specific number of participants obtained, who represented 122 skilled nursing beds. The total interviewees were 42. The procedures used in the research were in coherence with the qualitative research design guidelines.
The subjects’ choice and selection occurred consistent with the requirements of the qualitative research. In qualitative research, the respondents should have diverse experience and the mix of respondents should not have any ambiguity. The composition in terms of gender was biased because of the 42 respondents; only three were men (Deborah et al, 2009). This presents a high possibility that the information may have biased feminist views. It would be better if a particular percentage of the respondents from each of the areas and departments were male to balance the gender. Technically, some of the areas had only female respondents, which means the information obtained may not be representative. The research applied both inductive and deductive methods in the selection of the sample for the research hence the choice of the subjects matched the requirements of a qualitative research.
The setting of the research is appropriate for a qualitative research as affirmed by the subsequent situations. Firstly, a qualitative research requires that the respondents have the will to give information independently to minimize bias. The fact that the nursing home was a non-profit making agency implies that the financial gains from the research could not drive their participation hence they gave the best information. Qualitative research also requires that the sample to come from a considerately large number of elements. The number of nursing beds at the nursing home was 122, meaning the number of people attending to the old people was relatively high (Deborah et al, 2009). This population provided a diverse setting that could inform the study accordingly. The location and services offered by the centre also made the setting correct for qualitative research. In qualitative research, a good setting must have diverse elements that can be studied. The centre offers many services like care from independent living, residential care for the old people, rehabilitation services to people in need, intermediate nursing care, dementia care, and management, and skilled care.
The data collection methods coincided well with the qualitative research approach. The research used structured questionnaires, which specifically looked at the factors within and around the study’s evaluation. For example, in finding out the protocol that missed in the nursing homes, the questionnaires had questions that attempted to obtain respondents’ comments on the matter. The data collection methods also included interdisciplinary study, analysis, and data collection. This method of data collection ensured that the parameters in each of the departments and disciplines are examined during the research.
In conclusion, the research utilised most of the aspects of a qualitative research. The study design, data collection and description, data analysis, presentation, and disclosure highlight that the research adhered to qualitative research requirements. However, the researcher fails to note whether the study obtained consent from the respondents and the inclusion criteria.
References
Deborah P. Waldrop, M.S.W., Ph.D. and Abbie M. Kirkendall, M.S.W., Ph.D (2009). Comfort Measures: A Qualitative Study of Nursing Home-Based End-of-Life Care. Journal of Palliative Medicine. 10.1089=jpm.2009.0053
Wall, S. (2010). Critical perspectives in the study of nursing work. Journal of Health Organization and Management, 24(2), 145-66. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/14777261011047327
