Overview of Quantitative and Qualitative Article
Overview of a Quantitative Article
Sarna et al. (2014) article titled “Impact of a Smoking Cessation Educational Program on Nurses’ Interventions” aims to evaluate the effects of a short education program on smoking cessation on nursing interventions used with a smoker. The study also explored the effect of the behavior of smoking nurses on the outcomes of the education program. Sarna et al. (2014) research question explored the effects of nurses who smoke on the outcomes of educational programs that teach on issues of treatment of tobacco dependency. The research question was identified by noting a gap in the previous studies. Previous studies have reported different outcomes concerning the treatment of tobacco dependency educational programs (Sarna et al., 2014). There is, however, limited information concerning the effect of nurses’ smoking behaviour on the educational programs meant to teach strategies for treating tobacco dependence.
Study Design
Sarna et al. (2014) employed a prospective quantitative study to understand the outcome of educational programs for nurses who smoke. The study involved a prestudy, the education program, and a three-month post study. The study participants were required to complete surveys explaining the frequency of their smoking cessation interventions.
Sample Size and Representative
Sarna et al. (2014) employed a convenience sampling strategy to get participants for the study. Each of the study participants had either attended one of the ten educations programs meant to teach smoking cessation intervention strategies. Since the study was conducted in three stages, each stage had a different number of participants. 157 participants filled in the first survey while 106 participants filled in the post-test survey.Out of this group 98 of the participants participated in the study. The sample used in the study was representative of the number of nurses who attended the educational program.
Results of Data Analysis
Data analysis first involved entry of data, which was done at the University of California. The study employed descriptive statistics to arrange the study variables. The main anticipated outcome was to note changes in the rates of cessation interventions used by nurses who attended the education program. The different responses before and after te education program were noted and examined. Data analysis revealed that three months after attending the educational program, nurses had improved on the frequency of assisting patients to quit smoking. The nurses also revealed an increased confidence in implementing interventions to help patients quit the smoking habit.
Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses
The study main weakness was the lack of a comparison group. The lack of a comparison group resulted in the uncertainty as to whether the improvement in frequency of interventions was due to another factor, other than the education program. Another weakness of the study was that the sample size did not allow chances for comparison of the different categories of smokers. A strength noted in the study was the use of nurses from different hospitals; therefore, information could be generalized.
Overview of a Qualitative Article
Lavoie-Tremblay et al. (2014) in the article, “Transforming Care at the Bedside: Managers’ and Health Care Providers’ Perceptions of Their Change Capacities” investigates the different views that health care providers have in regards to their capacities in instituting change. The main question asked by the study is what opinions do health care providers, and managers have concerning the development of their capacities to introduce and drive change within a healthcare organization. The research question was identified by the use of previous research. Lavoie-Tremblay et al. (2014) employ past studies on the TCAB program; therefore identify that little is known in regards to the perceptions that managers and health providers have about their capacities to institute change within the organization.
Study Design
Lavoie-Tremblay et al. (2014) employed a qualitative descriptive research to investigate the views of health providers and managers. The study employed individual interviews and focus groups as data collecting methods. A qualitative descriptive study is employed to investigate specific events that affect an individual or different individuals in the group. The study seeks to understand the various views that health care providers have in regards to change and their ability to promote change; therefore, use of a descriptive design. The use of interviews and focus groups will ensure that the study understands both the individual perceptions and group perceptions in regards to having the capacity to institute change.
Sample Size and Representativeness
19 participants with 16 of them female and 3 male, formed the sample size of the research (Lavoie-Tremblay et al., 2014). The participants came from different job groups and had different levels of education. The study employed a purposeful sampling procedure, which resulted in a small but representative sample. The sample included different individuals who perform different roles regarding care provision. The sample size used in the study allowed the researchers to explore a broader range of experiences as the sample represented all members of the care provision team. Data was collected by employing three individual interview and three focus group interviews (Lavoie-Tremblay et al., 2014).
Results of Data Analysis Procedures
Lavoie-Tremblay, et al. (2014) used interviews to collect data. The use of interviews allowed the researchers to understand the personal perception that the different participants had in regards to their capacities to institute and promote change. Lavoie-Tremblay, et al. (2014) employed the use of audio recorders to record the interviews, which were later transcribed. Data analysis involved three activities, which were coding to identify themes, displaying of themes and verifying and elaborating data. Analysis of the interviews on the participant perceptions revealed seven major themes which were the impact of changes, getting the bigger picture, learning skills, sharing leadership for change, insights of a team approach, and structured process to lead change.
Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses
Using a small number of participants allowed the researchers to explore a wider range of the participant’s experiences (Lavoie-Tremblay, et al., 2014). The study also employed different individuals in different units within the hospital. Employing different individuals will allow a generalization of results as the views would have come from people working in different areas. The study however employed employees from the same hospital. As such, the study results may be limited to the specific hospital; therefore, generalizations limited. Due to the study being limited to one organization, there is a need to replicate the study in another organization; therefore, achieve more generalized results.
Summary of the Main Points of the Paper
The study by Lavoie-Tremblay et al. (2014) had four main points. The first point was that nurses and health care providers were interviewed on their change capabilities after being involved in the TCAB program. Another key point of the article is that the study participants learned how to work as a team. Another point fro the study is that the activities in TCAB program allow the development of change capabilities as they offer resources and tools to identify, evaluate, and implement change.
References
Lavoie-Tremblay, M., O’Connor, P., Lavigne, G. L., Biron, A., Ringer, J., Baillargeon, S., . . Briand, A. (2014). Transforming Care at the Bedside: Managers’ and Health Care Providers’ Perceptions of Their Change Capacities. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 45(11), 514-520. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alain_Biron/publication/267732282_Transforming_Care_at_the_Bedside_Managers'_and_Health_Care_Providers'_Perceptions_of_Their_Change_Capacities/links/54c647760cf256ed5a9dd043.pdf
Sarna, L. P., Bialous, S. A., Kraliková, E., Kmetova, A., Felbrová, V., Kulovaná, S., & Brook, J. K. (2014). The Impact of a Smoking Cessation Educational Program on Nurses’ Interventions. Journal o Nursing Scholarship, 46(5), 1-8. Retrieved from http://www.cnna.cz/docs/aktuality/odvykani_koureni_sestry_2014.pdf
