Introduction
Over the years, the issue of falls among older people has remained a significant challenge across the country. Various measures involving the healthcare sector to facilitate the prevention of the problem have been taken into consideration. Generally, when people become older, the problem of falls is a common threat to them. In most cases, individuals who encounter falls frequently are more likely to suffer serious health complications. Van Rhyn and Barwick (2019) conducted qualitative research to determine the perception of physicians on falls and prevention in older people. The paper will entail a critical appraisal of the article “Health practitioners’ perceptions of falls and fall prevention in older people: A meta-synthesis” by Van Rhyn and Barwick.
What type of qualitative research design was utilized to conduct the study?
Van Rhyn and Barwick used a review as a research design to conduct the study. The authors majorly analyzed original research done by other researchers to gain insight into the study objective.
Are the results valid/trustworthy, and credible?
The results are valid and credible since the researchers used a meta-synthesis approach, which provides valid results. Similarly, both the researchers are professionals in the health field, making them well conversant with issues surrounding falls on older people. In addition, the study majorly used a variety of secondary data making it to be credible.
How were the participants chosen?
The study did not involve primary data collection or interviews. Thus, no participants were involved.
How were the accuracy and completeness of data assured?
The data used in the study was collected from credible sources. Four databases were utilized by the researchers to obtain necessary information concerning the study. They include PubMed, ScienceDirect, Medline, and CINAHL (Van Rhyn & Barwick, 2019). The completeness of the data was ascertained through the meta-synthesis approach used in the study.
How plausible/believable are the results?
The researchers focused their analysis on the perception of nurses about the falls, which makes the results to be believable.
Are implications of the research stated?
According to the researchers, the study can be used by policymakers, health practitioners, and even the public. The findings can be used to influence a communication system between older people and physicians.
May new insights increase sensitivity to others’ needs?
Admittedly, new insights may enhance sensitivity to the needs of other people. For instance, from the study, society can have new perceptions about falls on older people.
May understandings enhance situational competence?
Understanding may enhance situational competence since the research finding allows physicians and society to properly comprehend the causes and impacts of falls among older persons.
What is the effect on the reader?
The researchers addressed key areas, including the perception of clinicians of health professionals on falls and how to prevent them. Based on the detailed information, readers can easily understand the aspect effectively.
Are the results plausible and believable?
The research results are plausible and believable since the researchers collected the data from databases that contain information about falls.
Is the reader imaginatively drawn to the experience?
The content, as well as the objective of the research, were all about the falls of older people and how to prevent the issue. The facet easily draws the attention of the reader to imagine the impacts of falls on individuals.
What are the results of the study?
Based on the findings of the study, health professionals stated that older people perceive falls as a normal part of aging, which does not require constructive preventive measures. Most of the victims do not share information about the issue, making it a challenge for the practitioners to intervene. People who experienced falls linked it to environmental conditions. According to the results, clinicians added that incorporating relatives or family members to care for individuals at risk of falls was significant.
Does the research approach fit the purpose of the study?
The approach used fits the purpose of the study since the researchers wanted to explore the viewpoint of health professionals on falls and ways of preventing them among older people.
How does the researcher identify the study approach?
Van Rhyn and Barwick based their study on the central topic, which gave them a clear map of key areas to examine concerning the falls of older people.
Are the data collection and analysis techniques appropriate?
The data collection and the technique of analysis are appropriate. The researchers collected data from medical databases and other credible sources to obtain the information. In addition, the analysis approach known as meta-synthesis gave the researchers to have proper insight into the data from various sources used in the study. In addition, the researchers used thematic analysis, which allowed them to properly understand the facets of the study. The findings were grouped into three categories based on how they aligned with the research purpose.
Is the significance/importance of the study explicit?
The importance of the study is clear; the researchers directly pinpoint the reason for conducting the study.
Does the literature support a need for the study?
Based on the objective of the researchers, which was to investigate the perception of physicians on falls and their prevention, the literature supports the study. It elaborates on reasons for falls and barriers to their prevention.
What is the study’s potential contribution?
From the analysis, the study will increase the knowledge of society about falls. In addition, the findings will enable healthcare facilities to formulate effective ways of handling cases of falls among older people within the facilities.
Is the sampling clear and guided by study needs?
Based on the content of the research article, the sample is clear. The researchers conducted a thematic analysis of most of the qualitative articles, which covered the concept of falls. In the study, the analysts’ approaches to analyzing data were based on the investigation’s objectives.
Does the researcher control selection of the sample?
The researchers picked specific sources that entailed the details of falls on older people. While selecting the pieces of work, the researchers strictly targeted the ones encompassing the experience of health practitioners dealing with cases of falls either in society or within the care facilities. Furthermore, the articles were only included if they were written in English and had contained qualitative study methods (Van Rhyn & Barwick, 2019). This aspect made it possible for the researchers to obtain suitable sources for the survey.
Do sample size and composition reflect the study needs?
The sample size for the research was eight studies implying that it did not reflect the needs of the study. Generally, for effective findings, the researchers ought to have increased the size to a more significant number. However, on the basis of composition, it highly reveals the needs of the investigation. All the sources utilized entailed the perception of health practitioners of falls and fall prevention. In addition, the studies involved a qualitative research method, which was necessary for the study.
Is the phenomenon (human experience) clearly identified?
The phenomenon is clearly identified; through the thematic findings, the researchers explore the aspect of human experience by profoundly exploring the qualitative evidence on physicians’ perception of falls. The researchers considered aspects such as personal and interpersonal influences and clinical barriers to enable them to identify the practitioners’ experience in the area of study.
Are data collection procedures clear?
The researchers stated a clear procedure for obtaining data from qualitative sources. The outlined criteria made it apparent that no unrelated article was considered in the study.
Are sources and means of verifying data explicit?
Based on the research article, sources and means of verifying the collected data are clear. The researchers majorly applied quality appraisal to enable them to address the variation in most of the primary studies. The researchers formulated the questions and the context they wanted from the selected sources. This aspect made it easier for them to effectively verify the pieces of work to pick the ones that satisfied their study conditions.
Are researcher roles and activities explained?
The qualitative research article does not explicitly explain the role of each researcher. However, the paper depicts activities the researchers engaged in. The activities are undertaken, which include analysis of the primary qualitative research articles, are effectively explained.
Are data analysis procedures described?
The researchers described how the collected data were to be analyzed. The article stated that the data were to be examined using a thematic analysis process. Furthermore, the study applied Boolean logic to enable them to narrow down the search to specific words. The procedure was useful in eliminating unrelated contents from the qualitative review.
Does analysis guide directions of sampling when it ends?
Based on the processes utilized by the researchers, the analysis failed to offer directions for the sampling when it ended.
Are data management processes described?
The qualitative research article does not provide the aspect of data management processes. In particular, the researchers did not indicate how the collected data would be stored, shared, or even persevered during the period of the study.
What are the reported results (descriptive or interpretation)?
The reported results are descriptive; the researchers extensively explored and summarized the findings from various primary qualitative sources to draw clear meaning from them. For instance, they identified and explained issues such as personal and interpersonal influences. They picked specific research findings from different articles and summarized them to fit the objective of the study.
How are specific findings presented?
From the study, some of the findings presented include the responses from health practitioners about their personal experiences with falls in their careers. Furthermore, the study indicates the challenges that prevent practitioners from implementing appropriate measures to reduce falls in older people. The researchers majorly based their discussion on the responses provided by the physicians being that they have close interaction with the victims. They further include the opinions of the professionals concerning what they perceive may impact the fall situation among older people. For instance, health practitioners denoted the importance of communication between the providers and the patients to enhance awareness.
Are the data meanings derived from data described in context?
The study relied majorly on the findings from the reviewed qualitative primary sources to interpret and draw conclusions. Therefore, it can be confirmed that the researchers derived data meanings from the context.
Does the writing effectively promote understanding?
The writing approaches used in the study enhance understanding. First, the researchers used simple language and minimal arithmetic or statistical analysis that can challenge readers. In addition, the way they organized the study, including methods, analysis, results, discussion, and even limitations, makes it easier for an individual to depict key information from the paper.
Will the results help me care for my patients?
The findings identified various perceptions of the health practitioners that can be utilized to impact the patients. For instance, some physicians depicted issues such as communication as a tool to improve awareness. Generally, older people are less informed about falls and ways to prevent them. Therefore, I can use communication to advance care practices to reduce possible falls due to unawareness. Based on the results, a professional provider can have a wider view of the problem, thus influencing how to respond to the patients experiencing such cases. The findings will facilitate decision-making among practitioners, especially when dealing with older people at risk of falling.
Are the results relevant to persons in similar situations?
The research findings are relevant to health practitioners dealing with older people. Older take the fall situation as normal, and with the results, physicians can easily advocate for awareness among the individuals and encourage them victims to confirm cases of falls.
Are the results relevant to patient values and/or circumstances?
The results from the research study are significant and add value to older people. For instance, the findings inform patients that fall, whether at home or in health facilities, are not normal. This aspect enables victims to be well informed; if they experience such events, they are more likely to seek medical attention.
How may the results be applied to clinical practice?
The result may be used to formulate policies, including effective communication to enable older people to understand the aspect of falls. The approach will lower the number of patients fall since most individuals will report such cases as soon as possible. In addition, information from the research results can be used to formulate appropriate preventive measures to reduce falls. Furthermore, identified challenges health practitioners face, including poor routine, can be reevaluated and improved to better patient satisfaction. The findings have further covered essential perceptions of the clinicians, which make it useful to inform other providers how to view the situation. Therefore, from the study, the results can be used to influence professional practices and management policies.
Conclusion
The qualitative research study was conducted by professionals who have experience with falls on older people. Both researchers are well-informed, which makes their analysis significant and appropriate for clinical practices. Based on the study, the researchers used thematic analysis to explore and examine relevant information for primary studies. The approach enables the analysts to have the proper insight into the issue of falls and the perception of health practitioners. The research findings identified issues such as communication as a factor that contributes to falls among older people. Health practitioners can utilize the results and implications of the study to lower the cases of falls.
Reference
Van Rhyn, B., & Barwick, A. (2019). Health practitioners’ perceptions of falls and fall prevention in older people: A metasynthesis. Qualitative Health Research, 29(1), 69-79. Web.