The study being evaluated in this case is implicit in the effect of lifestyle interventions by nurses. Like other studies in the medical field, the research leverages a standard format to explicate the effect of the intervention mentioned. It contains the conventional sections of a quantitative study that include the abstract, background, methods, study design, procedures, results, a discussion, and conclusion. This paper features a critical assessment of each of these sections.
Background and Problem Statement
The problem statement of the research study is well stated with a specific purpose of elucidating the problem that the study will attempt to solve. The authors have put much work and consideration into elucidating the issues addressed in the study. As noted, the problem statement is implicit in developing an understanding of the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions for clients at risk for chronic illnesses (Harris et al., 2013). In this regard, the problem statement is merely a question of how lifestyle interventions are effective in influencing treatment outcomes in patients with chronic illness.
In the background of the study, the authors provide very useful information that is helpful in giving users a glimpse of the matters that are addressed in the study. Admittedly, a research background is one of the most perceptible aspects of a research study. It assists readers to know about the exact issue addressed being studied. Admittedly, the research background provided in this study is profoundly helpful in opening the eyes of readers regarding the matter of interventions on chronic illness as it meets the threshold of a well-researched study background. Markedly, the background information postulated in this study identifies and describes the history and nature of the risk factors for chronic disease (Harris et al., 2013). Some of the risk factors mentioned comprise poor nutrition, binge drinking, and lack of physical activity.
The background elicits critical knowledge regarding the location where the study was conducted and the parameters that were involved. The research was conducted in Australia and one of the most perceptible features of a good study background is that it shows the origin of the problem in question (Astroth & Chung, 2018). Moreover, it analyses the problem’s scope and the contribution of previous studies in investigating the problem. Notably, the background of this study meets the criteria discussed above. Besides examining relevant literature, the authors put the research problem in an ideal context.
Notably, past researchers have not succeeded in assessing the effect of lifestyle interventions on nursing practice. The authors note that this study comes in handy to address the identified gap. Apparently, all these aspects are aimed at granting the reader a good background of the research matter. This is enough evidence that the study’s background and research problem are indeed rational.
Study Design
Conventionally, a study design is implicit in the plan, structure, and strategy of investigation used to obtain answers to the research problem. Admittedly, the research design used in this study is quite relevant. It contains a specification of the methods and procedures applied to acquire the information that is needed to advance the study. The overall pattern of the research design applied in this study stipulates what information is to be collected and from which source. Primarily, the plan is inextricably embedded with the setting; the study was carried out in four different community nursing centers in Australia (LoBiondo-Wood et al., 2018). The authors note that participants were recruited through an expression of interest mailed to all nurses.
As posited in the study design section, the study was quasi-experimental. Services were randomly designated to an early intervention (EI) group or late intervention (LI) group, allowing enough room for comparison. Nurses were provided with EI services that were implicit in training and support to identify patients at higher risk for chronic illness. Admittedly, the research design featured in this study is generally good. For instance, it fulfills the four conditions that characterize a good study design. These conditions comprise objectivity, reliability, validity, and generalizability of findings (Astroth & Chung, 2018). The design is objective because the method of data collection is congruous with the measurement of instruments. The protocol of the study combines effective methods of data collection and a fairly objective way of measuring instruments.
Moreover, the validity and reliability of the research design are depicted by the fact that the design leverages two intervention levels; the service and the client level. Nurses who took part in the study provided the client level intervention. The validity of the study is also portrayed by the consistency and absence of contradictions in the methods and procedures used. On the underscore, the research design is implicit in generalizability. A study design is deemed generalizable if the final findings are replicable despite the different measures used in the methods and procedures (Astroth & Chung, 2018). Admittedly, the research design of this study leverages three repeated measures that compare multilevel models using patient-level covariates. Despite the fact the variance between the services is insignificant; it is notable that the final findings are replicable.
Study Results
The results and findings of this study are seemingly valid. As is the case with quantitative data, the results contain data that corresponds to the various parameters features in the methods and procedure sections. The results also contain data associated with conventional measuring parameters. This is an indication that the outcomes are valid and justifiable. For instance, the findings feature a baseline characteristics section that elucidates the total number of clients who were recruited from potentially eligible clients (Harris et al., 2013). The results elicit significant differences in ratings of the clients’ health. Differences in the clients’ risk factors are also included in the results. In essence, the results cover a plethora of issues that complement the research design used in the study.
The discussion part features an explanation of how health nurses can implement risk factor assessment as part of conventional clinical practice. The authors note that personal level support within the public healthcare system can support better health approaches (Harris et al., 2013). Notably, the most perceptible interventions proposed in the study are implicit in diet changes and increased physical activity. The outcomes of qualitative interviews are also featured in the discussion part. Admittedly, these aspects make the discussion quite vivid and rational.
Application to Evidence-Based Practice
On the underscore, the study results drawn from this study are both informative and useful. For instance, the outcomes can be used in advancing evidence-based practice (EBP). In most of the measures, there were notable differences between the EI and LI groups. As noted in the study findings, the majority of the patients who were identified with lifestyle risk factors were in contemplation and actions. These outcomes are useful in actual clinical practice because nurses can use the findings and outcomes from this study to find ways to assist patients with chronic illnesses through lifestyle interventions. Conventionally, evidence-based practice in nursing is implicit in delivering care to patients using validated interventions (Astroth & Chung, 2018). This research study forms a basis of a validated intervention that nurses can leverage and integrate into actual clinical practice.
Ethical Considerations
Markedly, the study is also implicit in ethical concerns since the rationality and validity of the study are reinforced by its adherence to ethical requirements. As noted, the study project was approved by the relevant medical regulatory authorities. For instance, the research is ratified by the Human Research Committee in each Area Health Services (AHS). In addition, the study was carried out in full compliance with the Helsinki declaration (Harris et al., 2013). Participants who took part in the study were willing to consent to the publication of the findings.
This research study pinpoints critical care strategies to help patients cope with chronic illnesses and other related conditions. Remarkably, the research outcomes are credible because they result from comprehensive research that is implicit in valid methodologies and procedures. There is, therefore, no doubt that this study is profoundly applicable to evidence-based practice. In essence, this research meets the threshold for good quantitative research.
References
Astroth, K. S., & Chung, S. Y. (2018). Focusing on the fundamentals: Reading quantitative research with a critical eye. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 45(3), 283-287. Web.
Harris, M. F., Chan, B. C., Laws, R. A., Williams, A. M., Davies, G. P., Jayasinghe, U. W., Fanaian, M., Orr, N., & Milat A. (2013). The impact of a brief lifestyle intervention delivered by generalist community nurses (CN SNAP trial). BMC Public Health, 13(1), 1-11.
LoBiondo-Wood, G., Haber, J., & Titler, M. G. (2018). Evidence-Based Practice for Nursing and Healthcare Quality Improvement-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.