Introduction
Effective application of results plays an important role in ensuring that information obtained from a study is easily understood. It is also an avenue through which research findings can aid in developing a deeper understanding of a problem. On the other hand, analysis and discussion play important roles in ensuring that the research study under scope addresses the study questions and objectives (Denzin & Lincoln, 2000). It is against this backdrop that this paper examines data collection methods, analysis of data, and results from a study on healthcare problems. The analysis is aimed at determining how effectively the objectives and questions that the study sought were addressed.
Results
An understanding of a research approach or data collection method is quite important in determining the levels of accuracy that can be attained in any given study. It is of critical importance that the research methodology employed in research related to healthcare be reflective and updated according to its objectives. This is the main factor that was considered in the study seeking to determine problems in health care. The study employed an empirical approach where primary data was obtained from the respondents. It is important to note that in applying the qualitative approach, research questions were framed in a manner that is specific to the research problem being dealt with and which played an important role in ensuring high levels of specificity to the issue under discussion. Secondary data were also obtained from credible peer-review publications. The latter step was indeed necessary to come up with a credible piece of writing that contains valid information.
To begin with, a total of four hundred questionnaires were presented to the collection points out of which 310 questionnaires were taken by the respondents. From the 310 questionnaires that were used in the empirical survey to collect data, only 279 were returned to the collection points (Brady, Malone & Fleming, 2009). Out of the 279 filled questionnaires that were returned 28 were poorly filled and the rest were forwarded for analysis.
The response rate considering the number of questionnaires that were administered and those that were returned was slightly higher than 53.7% (Brady, Malone & Fleming, 2009).
It was quite clear from the study that there were many problems regarding medical errors and ethics as well as the protection of the rights of patients. The respondents as well as secondary sources revealed that these problems sprang from both systems and individual issues. The aspect on the appropriate steps to take to protect the rights of subjects were drawn from the respondents and the literature sources. They included improving the knowledge of nurses on medication, limiting workload such that it is not in excess, deviating from distractions, improving quality of prescription, and ensuring medication reconciliation. A look at the findings that have been developed as being representative of respondents’ perceptions of the problems associated with known medical errors to the rights of patients and subjects shows little difference from findings from literature materials. The results presented are reflective of the close correlation between the ratings and the perceptions of key health threats that patients are faced with.
3 Data analysis procedures
The main issues that the research set forth to address were ethical problems as well as errors in healthcare provision. In addition, the research study also sought to determine the role that healthcare providers can play to protect the rights of patients (Ziman, 2000). An analysis of results is required to be able to address issues that have been highlighted since they are undisputedly central to the research.
The use of averages as an analysis method has been employed in the research to develop a clear picture of the observations.
Analyses of the main causes of problems in healthcare that healthcare providers and patients are faced have been determined by the application of both qualitative and quantitative approaches as well as from the perceptions that have been developed by respondents and the risks indicated from secondary sources.
These multiple mechanisms applied in the analysis have been mainly aimed at ensuring accuracy and reducing chances of erroneous entry by ensuring that random errors are minimized thus ensuring the research is minimally influenced by external forces. It is important to note that though no formal approach to sampling is employed by the research, the analysis has employed a basic sampling approach where the respondents involved have been a representative of the general perception that professionals in healthcare have on threats posed by errors on the rights of patients.
In summing up, it is apparent from the findings of the study that existing research and theories which have developed findings were indeed necessary for the entire study. For instance, one of the key findings from the research study is that medical errors, as well as ethics, do impact the rights of patients. Similar research that has been conducted to determine the effects that errors in medical practice have on patients show that improving healthcare practice will ensure that patients’ and subjects’ rights will be maintained. The strength of the study is observed in the fact that it plays an important role in reinforcing the results that have been reported by researchers on the importance of understanding problems in healthcare and how to overcome them. It is apparent from the study that the role of medical ethics though widely addressed by analysts as being key to effective service provision is least appreciated by health professionals.
One of the areas of weakness of this study and which has not been properly explained is the creation of awareness campaigns of curbing medical errors which have for many years eluded this field. Considering the level of development and awareness on ethics that is definitive of medical practice in the current operational environment, this is not expected. It is therefore evident that there is a need for further research to determine the causes and the reasons that underlie the low appreciations as well as poor perceptions of the threats posed by errors and related healthcare problems on patients.
Despite the role played by the current intervention measures to curb health care problems, there is a need for greater emphasis on avenues that can reduce the faults that some developed healthcare providers display. This should be done through policies and legislative frameworks by the respective authorities. In this respect, the governments, owing to the hefty losses, should seek to invest more towards addressing the problems.
Of greater importance in addressing the problem should be the need to appreciate the role played by the present research in identifying the major causes of the problems and propositions for monitoring and addressing the problems. Increased research and appreciation of the findings from the researchers by healthcare that seeks quality provision of services must be fast-forwarded for they are critical variables to ensuring the rights of patients are maintained.
References
Brady, A. M., Malone, A. M. & Fleming, S. (2009). A literature review of the individual and systems factors that contribute to medication errors in nursing practice. Journal of Nursing Management, 17(6), 679-697.
Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2000). Handbook of qualitative research (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Ziman, J. (2000). Real Science: what it is, and what it means. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.