Qualitative Study
The article selected for this paper is a qualitative study, which can be proved when paying attention to its goal and method. This work aims to “examine dental patients’ attitudes, beliefs, and perceived barriers to HIV screening to address these factors in an implementation plan” (VanDevanter et al., 2012). The authors referred to in-depth interviews in dental practice sites and obtained the participants’ feedback regarding HIV screening. They analyzed obtained data with the help of qualitative thematic content analysis and systematized with the coding scheme.
It should also be mentioned that the authors discussed real-world situations and were ready to receive any related information, having no predetermined frameworks and limitations on gained data and results. They discussed the phenomenon as a whole and put it in a context. The work started with the description of the problem based on the literature sources and ended with synthesis.
Information about the Article
The article chosen for this research is called “A qualitative study of patients’ attitudes toward HIV testing in the dental setting” (VanDevanter et al., 2012). It was written in 2012 by VanDevanter and her colleagues. They represent the colleges of nursing and dentistry located in New York. They posted the discussed article in a journal known as Nursing Research and Practice for the individuals who deal with the sphere of nursing, including students, educators, scientists, nurses, and other health care professionals who are currently practicing to have access to the vital and useful information. Being a peer-reviewed publication, it is considered to be an authoritative work of excellent quality.
Research Problem
When preparing this article, professionals were highly concerned about the fact that a lot of people in the USA have HIV, and the rates are increasing dramatically. As innovative practices that allow maintaining routinely, HIV screening appeared, the authors wanted to get to know how people treat them.
They were interested in the attitudes and beliefs people have toward screening in dental sites. Professionals realized that such practice is new and mainly unknown to the representatives of the general public that is why, the study involved dental providers, students, and patients. As the issue was rather extended, the authors divided the findings according to three themes.
Research Purpose
With the help of this research, VanDevanter et al. (2012) wanted to find out how what do dental patients think about the oral HIV screening and what barriers they face when trying to reach them. In this way, professionals considered those issues that can prevent the successful implementation of this innovative practice.
Research Design
The design of this study is phenomenology. The aim of the research conducted by VanDevanter et al. (2012) is to examine people’s experience. They conduct in-depth interviews to get information, which is often done when having such a research design. Professionals reveal the phenomenon of innovative HIV screening when listening to the audiotapes with the interviews. They gather results according to the themes and develop a preliminary coding scheme. As a result, they receive a detailed description of the issue.
Method
The data needed for this research was obtained with the help of in-depth interviews at the NYU College of Dentistry. IRB approval was received. There were 19 participants. They all were over the age of 18. They received the most vital information regarding the purpose of the study beforehand. They also received $20 as an incentive. The interviews were hand in a quiet private area and lasted for 15-25 minutes.
They were recorded, and qualitative thematic content analysis was later conducted. Professionals develop a preliminary coding scheme to systematize the data. The interviews were taken in English and Spanish. The results are organized according to the themes (access to innovative HIV screening and its advantages; congruence; and implementation issues) but then are also discussed in general.
Conclusions
VanDevanter et al. (2012) conclude that innovative HIV screening is likely to be beneficial for those populations who have poor access to healthcare now. The consumers are willing to have their privacy ensured. They would like to have access to counseling and psychosocial support. All in all, the sample of this study considered this new practice to be advantageous. They had very positive attitudes toward it.
It was also found that the success of the screening depends on the linkage to care. Moreover, patients would like to receive educational materials. They believed oral HIV testing to be beneficial because it provides an opportunity to get to know one’s HIV status with no delays and even without the necessity to search for a special facility. It turned out to be a universal opportunity because it is free and can be approached by any person.
The simplicity of the procedure helps to deal with the fear of receiving positive results. This study is vital to nursing, as it provides an opportunity to find out the peculiarities of oral HIV testing, including the way it is treated by the patients and possible implementation issues.
Reference
VanDevanter, N., Combellick, J., Hutchinson, K., Phelan, J., Malamud, D., & Shelley, D. (2012). A Qualitative study of patients’ attitudes toward HIV testing in the dental setting. Nursing Research and Practice, 2012, [803169].