Rationale
The purpose of this study is to critically appraise the research applying Watson’s nursing theory to assess patient perceptions of being cared for in a multicultural environment by Suliman et al. (2009). The article aimed to examine how patients perceive nurses’ caring behavior in a multicultural background. The researchers suggested that cultural differences existing between those who give care and those who receive it will affect the perception of provided care, which was the rationale of the study.
In order to provide the necessary data, analysts turned to an exploration of the topic on the example of patients from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as the majority of nurses’ cultural backgrounds differ from their patients’ backgrounds (Suliman et al., 2009). The purpose of the research was stated clearly.
Literature Review
The article provides a literature review that introduces concepts analyzed in the study. Such notions as “caring” and “caring behavior” are presented. The connection between cultural environment and healthcare is discussed. Authors do not evaluate the literature provided in the review, as they focus on the brief description of its main theses (Suliman et al., 2009). However, it is significant to say that since most of the literature observed in the article is dated 2000-2009, it is not as relevant nowadays as it was when the study was published.
Type of Study
Research questions clearly address the problem. The research is exploratory as it investigates an issue that has not been studied in detail previously. It includes descriptive analysis as a method of research. The study design is based on the survey exploring the distinction between patients’ assessment of the importance of caring behavior and its frequency demonstrated by hospital nurses (Suliman et al., 2009). The research uses probability sampling along with cluster, systematic, and stratified sampling. Inclusion criteria were the age between 20 to 50 and admission to a surgical or medical ward for the first time (Suliman et al., 2009). Another criterion was the patients’ consciousness at the time of data collection. The choice of criteria is valid as it includes participants with the necessary characteristics, ensuring equal representation of both genders and wards. Patients’ characteristics mentioned above assist in answering the initial research questions.
Design
The study’s design is a good match with the purpose of the study as it provides data illustrating patients’ ideas about caring behavior and supports it with statistics. Data was collected with the help of a questionnaire based on the Caring Behaviors Assessment invented by Cronin and Harrison and Jean Watson’s carative factors. The quantitative methods were used to calculate the percentage, frequencies, and mean scores. It was used to examine the correlation between gender and the perception of caring behavior as well (Suliman et al., 2009). The study followed ethical considerations as patients’ consent to participate in the study was requested. Patients’ anonymity and confidentiality were guaranteed (Suliman et al., 2009). It is possible to say that the protection of participants was ensured.
Limitations
This study has its constraints that can influence the interpretation of the results. The researchers note such limitations of the study as the questionnaire length and the lack of supplemental studies, exploring the perception of caring behavior by the nurses, and the lack of observation of nursing care (Suliman et al., 2009). The research could be used for educating medical staff on caring behavior, and it is important to understand nurses’ perceptions of their performance of care as well. It could be useful to divide patients’ and nurses’ perceptions and observe the staff’s caring behavior on-site, which would help make the results more objective.
Conclusions and Implications
The conclusions of the research flow directly from the study’s findings. The results show that Saudi patients assessed caring behavior as important despite different cultural backgrounds with medical staff (Suliman et al., 2009). The frequency of caring behavior demonstrated by nurses was assessed lower in such categories as teaching/learning and helping/trust behavior. The researchers explained this as a result of cultural and language barriers (Suliman et al., 2009). There is a discrepancy between gender and perception of caring behavior, which as the article claims, has no explanation in the literature (Suliman et al., 2009). The implications for further research and practice could be measures that will help to eliminate cultural barriers and establish supportive surroundings in medical institutions in the situation of patients’ and nurses’ different cultural environments. Another possible implication for the study is the correlation between the nurses’ background and their frequency of attending to caring behavior.
The Quality of the Study
The authors of the article follow formal logic without falling into common fallacies. The study is based on facts and does not contain any biased opinions. The researchers use appropriate language to describe the concepts proposed in the study and present the findings. The study procedure is realistic, and the results are valid. The research is valuable as it provides data that is helpful in making patients’ and nurses’ relations more efficient and assisting in the healing process.