Research Method
The article “Ethnic and Racial Differences in Diabetes Care” utilizes a quantitative research method for data collection and analysis. The quantitative research method involves collecting and analyzing numerical data on a given phenomenon. Bonds et al. (2003) utilized numerical data from the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (1993–1998), which involved participants with known diabetes. The data collected for African Americans and Hispanics were compared to those of non-Hispanic Whites.
The researchers analyzed numerical data on hypertension, albuminuria, and coronary artery disease. Using the quantitative research method allowed the researchers to compare and analyze data from a large population sample. Additionally, it was easy for Bonds et al. (2003) to determine trends of the observed conditions. The rapid critical appraisal cohort study is the RCA tool to be used in appraising the study.
Evidence Level
The study utilized evidence level IV to present its arguments and information on the selected topic. Evidence level IV involves the application of data and information from well-designed case controls or cohort studies. The cohort observed in the study was African Americans, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic Whites.
The participants’ data and information were observed for a period beginning in 1993 and ending in 1998 (Bonds et al., 2003). For instance, during the observed period, the researchers found that African Americans presented an increased likelihood of poorly controlled diabetes, HbA1c 8.0% (Bonds et al., 2003). Meanwhile, the Hispanics exhibited more poorly controlled hypertension compared to the non-Hispanic Whites. The adoption of level IV evidence allowed the researchers to examine how different groups of people are exposed to various medical risks throughout the observation.
Statistics Mentioned
Statistical analysis is crucial in determining study results and conclusions. Bonds et al. (2003) applied descriptive statistics to determine the group more susceptible to the health risks outlined in the study. In particular, the means and standard deviations of the groups were compared.
A two-sample t-test enabled Bonds et al. (2003) to compare the mean standard deviations for continuous variables. The statistics measured five conditions: diabetes treatment, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, albuminuria, and coronary artery disease (Bonds et al., 2003). The statistics showed that African Americans had a higher susceptibility to poor glycemic control than other ethnic groups. The problem was associated with ethnic disparities among the group and was augmented by three outcome measures: control of diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, which were evaluated. The outcome showed that the study is reliable since consistent results were observed during the observation period.
Study Design Assessment
Bonds et al. (2003) used a significant comparative study design in their setting. The study design allowed the researchers to compare three ethnic groups to draw conclusions on diabetes care. Through comparison, similarities and differences regarding diabetes care between the three ethnic groups were presented.
The research was valid since similar results have been established outside the study. For instance, a study by Mitchell et al. (2022) showed that ethnic disparities were one of the major causes of poor health management among African American cancer patients. Therefore, the consistency of similar findings in other studies makes the research by Bonds et al. (2003) valid.
Answering PICOT Question
The article effectively contributed to answering the PICOT question on the management of diabetes. In answering the question, the researchers concluded that African Americans and Hispanics (P) had poorer diabetes care (I) than non-Hispanic Whites (C), which contributed to ethnic disparities (O) between 1993 and 1998 (T). The utilization of level IV evidence added value to answering the question since it allowed the comparison of three cohorts between 1993 and 1998.
References
Bonds, D. E., Zaccaro, D. J., Karter, A. J., Selby, J. V., Saad, M., & Goff, D. C. (2003). Ethnic and racial differences in diabetes care: The insulin resistance atherosclerosis study. Diabetes Care, 26, 1040–1046.
Mitchell, E., Alese, O. B., Yates, C., Rivers, B. M., Blackstock, W., Newman, L., Davis, M., Byrd, G., & Harris, A. E. (2022). Cancer healthcare disparities among African Americans in the United States. Journal of the National Medical Association, 114(3). Web.