Various approaches are applied in healthcare research to analyze difficulties and improve patient care. Though each has its own advantages and disadvantages, qualitative and quantitative research designs present distinctive viewpoints. Actual practice in nursing and patient care is enhanced by incorporating these methods, which promote a complete understanding of healthcare phenomena.
One study by Scanzera and colleagues (2023) named “Barriers and facilitators to ophthalmology visit adherence in an urban hospital setting” is a perfect instance of a recent qualitative research design in nursing healthcare. With the objective to understand patients’ opinions on challenges to receiving eye care services, this investigation used semi-structured interviews. The researchers were in a position to examine the experiences and views of patients in great detail because of the qualitative technique. This also revealed subtle variables including financial restraints, lack of knowledge about eye diseases and difficulties with transportation (Scanzera et al., 2023). Through the use of thematic analysis, the academics were able to pinpoint important themes that provided insights into the hurdles to timely eye treatment and helped medical personnel better meet the wants and needs of their patients.
Conversely, a trial by Kolcu & Ergun (2020) named “Effects of a Nurse-Led Health Education Intervention on Medication Adherence and Blood Pressure Control in Hypertensive Patients” illustrates a current quantitative research design in nursing. It evaluated the effects of a nurse-led health education intervention on hypertension patients’ medication adherence and blood pressure control using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) methodology. With a fair technique and electronic monitoring equipment, the scholars were able to reliably monitor blood pressure readings and gather objective data on drug compliance. The study showed, through statistical analysis, that the intervention group topped the control group in terms of medication adherence and blood pressure control (Kolcu & Ergun, 2020). In controlling hypertension and fostering improved health outcomes, this proved the efficiency of nurse-led therapies.
It’s imperative to acknowledge the pros and cons of each of these two research designs when critically appraising them. Broad insights into people’s lived experiences are provided by qualitative research which helps us comprehend complicated phenomena better and inspires patient-centered treatment strategies that are integrative in form. Nevertheless, owing to its subjective nature and small sample figures, it might not be very generalizable (Olaghere et al., 2023). On the other hand, quantitative research gives objective data and makes it possible to determine cause-and-effect connections through statistical analysis which improves the validity and precision of conclusions. However, it could miss contextual elements and not fully convey the variety of patient views. In general, combining these designs in healthcare research can encourage patient care and nursing practice that is grounded in evidence.
References
Kolcu, M. & Ergun, A. (2020). Effect of a nurse-led hypertension management program on quality of life, medication adherence and hypertension management in older adults: A randomized controlled trial. Geriatrics and Gerontology International, 20(12): 1182-1189. Retrieved from: DOI: 10.1111/ggi.14068
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