The study entitled “Transitional Care of Older Adults Hospitalized with Heart Failure: A Randomized, Controlled Trial” identified one of the main problems in transitional medicine which is the development of post discharge illnesses that are easily prevented if diagnosed early (Naylor, et al., 2004). The study is significant because despite the presence of studies that tackled efficiency of transitional care programs, this is the first to determine the effectiveness of these programs to the old age group diagnosed with heart failure. By doing this, evidence can be obtained that can help establish and revise rules and regulations about the provision of transitional care programs especially to elders with heart failure which will not only prevent unnecessary hospital costs but also decrease the prevalence of negative post discharge effects.
The study aimed to determine the efficiency of advanced practice nurses (APNs) in providing transitional care programs to the elders staying at the hospital who were diagnosed of having heart failure. The purpose statement provided by the authors directly address the main problem indicated earlier. By determining the efficiency of providing transitional care programs, evidence can be produced which can help shed light to the problem of post discharge effect development especially for elders with heart failure.
The independent variable in the study is the transitional care program provided by the advanced practice nurses to the elders while the dependent variables include frequency, duration, and explanations for rehospitalization, spontaneous hospital visits, and transitional care provided by APNs. These dependent variables were used to determine the efficiency of providing transitional care programs for the elders.
According to Jemmott, et al. (1998) in their study entitled “Abstinence and Safer Sex HIV Risk-Reduction Interventions for African American Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial”, one of the main concerns among teenagers of the African American race include high possibility of acquiring Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which can eventually develop into Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) due to unsafe sexual practices. The study is significant because it determines the most effective and suitable behavioral intervention that can help in the prevention of HIV transmission. By determining the most effective intervention for HIV transmission, the prevalence of AIDS and HIV-infected adolescents will be greatly reduced which can also contribute to the reduction of risk of HIV transmission to other individuals specifically adolescents.
The study aimed to assess the effectivity of HIV prevention and risk-reduction strategies like abstinence and HIV risk-reduction interventions by adult facilitators among teenagers of the African American race. The purpose statement or objective of the study is in line with the problems presented by the authors. Since studies have shown that abstinence and safer-sex approach are the most effective HIV-risk reduction and prevention strategy, the determination of the effectivity of these interventions and the effectivity of adult facilitators in executing the strategies among the African American adolescents can help shed light as to what interventions should be adapted by different organizations around the world. The findings of this study can also encourage adolescents to adapt safe sexual practices to avoid getting the disease.
The independent variable of the study was the implementation of the different modules on abstinence, condom use, and other issues aside from sexual behavior. On the other hand, the dependent variables include frequency of sexual intercourse, frequency condom, and frequency non-condom usage.
References
Naylor, M.D., Brooten, D.A., Campbell, R.L., Maislin, G., McCauley, K.M., and Schwarts, J.S. (2004). Transitional Care of Older Adults Hospitalized with Heart Failure: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. JAGS 52(5): 675-684.
Jemmott, J.B., Jemmott, L.S., and Fong, G.T. (1998). Abstinence and Safer Sex HIV Risk-Reduction Interventions for African American Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial. JAMA 279(19):1529-1536.
