Problem
It should be emphasized that the author’s interest lies in the phenomena of the prevention of dialysis and different types of treatments. In particular, this is due to the desire to deeply understand one of the varieties of dialysis – home dialysis. It is known for sure that home dialysis occupies a more advantageous position than its “analogue” – an in-central one, giving excellent treatment results, economic benefits and a long-life expectancy (Alcalde-Bezhold et al., 2021). Nonetheless, this fact and, at the same time, the assumption must be appropriately verified, as well as proven its practicality and effectiveness theoretically and empirically.
It is essential to draw critical findings on the study topic based on the three articles. First of all, according to Bonenkamp et al. (2020), the quality of life, improved general well-being, and health status of patients receiving home dialysis is higher in patients treated with in-center HD. Secondly, therapy at home generally entails increased rates and more outstanding achievements in the field of treatment, prevention, and care of a person (Kraus, 2019). Thirdly, home dialysis brings not only favorable news about patients’ recovery but also provides better survival and lower economic costs both for a citizen and for society as a whole (Krahn et al., 2019). In brief, it should be stated that home dialysis, in comparison with its “counterpart,” brings unique fruits. Still, they need to be carefully and thoroughly studied based on experience and further consequences.
It is no secret that research on the prevention of dialysis and different types of treatments is highly diverse, and their number has been continuously increasing in recent years. However, some points are still not covered in a sufficiently deep and comprehensive sense. Therefore, the problem is the lack of more profound, relevant, and actual research on home dialysis’s positive aspects and distinctive features in contrast with the in-central one.
Purpose
The purpose of the study is correctly focused on such phenomena as a comparison, description, and characterization of the fundamental components of home dialysis and its impact, influence, and effect on a patient. Furthermore, the main task is to prove the usefulness and effectiveness of home care.
Within the framework of the epistemological and ontological concepts, the paper aims to reflect on the topic paradigms and a competent, correct, and objective interpretation of the available facts and details constructed by the researcher.
The search for answers to questions of interest is based in the context of a natural, “field” environment, which allows one to see and notice non-phenomena that, as a rule, is impossible to encounter in laboratory conditions.
From the point of view of bias and positionality, the author’s identity will in no way affect and should not affect the potential understanding of the investigation issue.
The setting for conducting the research is to prepare the appropriate environment (medical facility), special devices, and tools for implementing the project. Possible data sources for obtaining results are interviews with patients and a case study on the topic.
Research Question
The research question is – “Why is home dialysis more beneficial for the adult population of the United States?”
Annotated Bibliography
Literature Review and Meta-Analysis Article
Bonenkamp, A. A., van der Sluijs, A. V. E., Hoekstra, T., Verhaar, M. C., van Ittersum, F. J., Abrahams, A. C., & van Jaarsveld, B. C. (2020). Health-related quality of life in home dialysis patients compared to in-center hemodialysis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Kidney Medicine, 2(2), pp. 139-154. Web.
The work aims to assess patients’ quality of life during home and in-central dialysis. The research methodology is based on meta-analysis and systematic, consistent review of information. Data were extracted based on the study of specific subgroups with the help of particular questions and interpretation of the results for some indicators. The paper results demonstrate the effectiveness and quality of home dialysis compared to its analog. The disadvantage of the study lies only in the presence of heterogeneity and errors in the methods.
Theory Article
Kraus, M. (2019). Benefits of home hemodialysis. Fresenius Medical Care. Web.
This theoretical article aims to clarify the primary information studied about the benefits and potential of home dialysis. The author of the work used experience from his practice, as well as proven and reliable sources of knowledge. The information presented covers a relatively wide range of “abilities” of home dialysis, its benefits, and its results for people. The gap and lack of work can only be based on the lack of comparison of this type of assistance with its “competitive” choice.
Research Article
Krahn, M. D., Bremner, K. E., de Oliveira, C., Dixon, S. N., McFarlane, P., Garg, A. X.,… & Pechlivanoglou, P. (2019). Home dialysis is associated with lower costs and better survival than other modalities: A population-based study in Ontario, Canada.Peritoneal Dialysis International, 39(6), pp. 553-561. Web.
The researchers focused particular attention on studying the issue of home dialysis from economics, medical, and social aspects. The methodology of this study was based on a cohort and retrospective study of patients from Canada for certain years. The data obtained indicate a high survival rate among patients treated at home. Moreover, their healthcare costs were significantly lower than those who received help and support at the center. The central gap is the lack of data on the course of the disease and recovery during the selected period of time.
Potential for Social Change
The study results will help identify the optimal picture of the situation, highlighting the most priority ways to help the patient. At the local level, a nurse will be able to provide the best assistance and care for the health and condition of the human body. The prescribed course of treatment depends entirely on the individual characteristics of a person. Consequently, home dialysis will be an excellent alternative for people with disabilities and those who prefer an independent lifestyle. Many patients note the significant benefits of dialysis at home. More flexibility in choosing the time of day to perform dialysis gives them more freedom in their lives. As a result, after switching to home dialysis, they feel better, both emotionally and physically. Patients can perform dialysis more often, with better results, including achieving improved blood pressure control, reducing the number of medications they take, and getting the opportunity to diversify their diet and live everyday life.
If many practitioners note the principles of home dialysis, then statistics on the ratio of healthy and sick patients will be determined for the better at the regional level. Furthermore, the study of this analysis about home dialysis increases the competencies, knowledge, and skills of a nurse, promoting high-quality medical practice within the framework of various programs, such as ANA. Patient care integrity is worth mentioning, including minimizing the risk of side effects and complications, joint decision-making, active correction of symptoms, and established communication. This also includes planning further care, psychological support, and cultural and spiritual aspects of care. The US population will become healthier and happier at the national level by receiving better support from professionals who know their industry perfectly. Home dialysis will significantly save resources to direct them to develop other equally important areas in medicine.
Major Assignment 2
Background Statement
Social Change as a Social Issue
Social change as a social issue is a profound and long-term transformation in the public space, entailing positive and negative dynamics of changing relationships. As practice shows, such differences result from the system’s interaction with the environment and are accompanied by the emergence of new structures and characteristics. Often, such shifts are objective, but the attitude of various social forces towards them, their assessment is always subjective, reflecting the positions of different groups, classes, and strata of society.
Social Change as a Research Problem
Social change as a research problem is the manifestation of a wide range of different consequences and results, the rethinking of which is possible with the help of investigation and comprehensive study. As a rule, such a procedure includes attempts to find the most optimal and adequate response to significant social issues through acquiring and gathering details in the direction of public modifications. Consequently, the information obtained makes it possible to expand and replenish the already existing database for solving topical matters by preparing strategies and forecasting the future outcome.
The Gap and the Purpose
It is essential to recognize and note that there is a gap today in the accurate, relevant, and meaningful analysis of home dialysis. Accordingly, this study will aim to eliminate this shortcoming and substantiate the procedure’s specific features and positive aspects. This aspect correlates with commitment and striving for a better result in the profession and practice regarding the meaning of social change for Walden graduate students.
Role of the Researcher
The role of the student researcher is to perform high-quality and valuable academic study demonstrating direct interest and profound knowledge in a particular field, making a unique contribution to science, progress, and innovative technologies. Additionally, it is also reinforced by the amplua of an interviewer, allowing to collect of helpful information for further analysis and interpretation. Undoubtedly, each of the designated positions changed, interchanged, and complemented each other, adjusting to the right time, place, and case in the investigation process. The author preferred the researcher’s role at all stages of planning, drafting, and execution of the paper, while the role of an interviewer was applied in the field in practice. Each of them changed and expanded the perception, worldview, knowledge, and ideas about the amplua of a researcher and an interviewer. Ethical issues that may have arisen on data collection are established on a conflict of interest and a dilemma in facts dissemination or the preservation of secrecy and anonymity.
Analysis and Results
The results demonstrate the positive effects of using home dialysis on US adults. The actual knowledge was obtained through data sources such as recording conversations with patients, a literature review by Bonenkamp et al., a theory article by Kraus, as well a research article by Krahn et al. Accordingly, in the course of collecting information, the author used such research tools as interviews and case studies.
Trustworthiness and Summary
Commonalities
Among the common themes that unite three articles at once, it is possible to single out the appeal to home dialysis, its effects on patients, as well as the positive sides and advantages of the procedure. According to Bonenkamp et al. (2020), dialysis patients report high results in health-related cases. In addition, Kraus (2019) claims that home therapy improves treatment outcomes and patient involvement in the recovery process. Hence, Krahn et al. (2019) fully confirm the words of their “colleagues,” mentioning the speedy recovery and better survival of people. Consequently, home dialysis and related components are a link between three almost identical in structures and content papers.
Distinctions
Nevertheless, along with the similarities mentioned above, the articles are different and unlike each other. Thus, the paper by Bonenkamp et al. (2020) is based on a comparative analysis of the quality of life and health of citizens who received home dialysis and in-central one. Moreover, in his paper, Kraus (2019) gives exceptional preference to home dialysis, emphasizing its advantages and advantages. Furthermore, the article by Krahn et al. (2019) mainly focuses on the relationship of home dialysis with financial aspects and patient survival. Therefore, one should remark that each of the works focuses on specific elements but within the framework of a single process in medicine.
Trustworthiness
Credibility
Primarily, the specific references have such a quality as credibility. Firstly, the researchers look at the whole picture of the world with a fresh look; their works are actual and relevant over the past five years. Secondly, the authors of the sources are authoritative figures and respected personalities in the circle of healthcare professionals. Thirdly, the particular sources are directly related to this study. Fourthly, articles are indexed in verified journals and websites, and some are included in the DOI system.
Transferability
The articles also clearly express such a trait as transferability. Thus, the study results can be repeated and ensure objectivity and fairness. Accordingly, an investigator should not have any serious problems related to the impossibility of conducting a repeat study. The works clearly describe the stages, dates, place, and time; the papers are replete with many detailed facts and details and quantitative and qualitative data.
Dependability
The works represent outcomes that are repetitive and reproducible. When conducting the same analysis under identical conditions but on a different group of participants, one should obtain the same consequences. This will confirm the developments obtained during the investigation and guarantee the effectiveness of the decisions taken. Dependability, reliability and validity are important components of the three papers that determine the overall success of the research projects.
Confirmability
From the point of view of the confirmability and verifiability of the data, it should be assumed that this criterion in the articles is confirmed by the establishment of facts by other scientists. Interpretation of the results is not a figment of the imagination but a long and detailed process. Therefore, the confirmability of the predicted effects of home dialysis on patients and society is proof of their reliability and confirmability. Hence, the critical aspects of the three articles are empirical confirmability, logical proof, intuitive evidence, and successful application in practice.
Response to the Question
Based on the facts and details of the investigation, the meaning of social change for Walden graduate students lies in the following aspects. Firstly, the sense of social transformation is to promote the profession of a nurse, focusing on the empowerment of healthcare specialists and the training and development of medical personnel. Secondly, the nature of such a modification is the formation and improvement of advanced technologies, innovations, methods, ways, tactics, and strategies concerning high-quality, effective, and efficient health care practice. Therefore, referring to these elements, Walden continues to rapidly and actively seek inspiration in its students as part of a critical resource capable of promoting medicine with the prospect of future successes and outstanding achievements.
Self-Reflection
Indeed, my opinion, vision, and idea of myself as a person connected with positive social changes have altered cardinally. In my research and reasonings, I learned about an extensive range of possibilities of a nurse in the healthcare system, which one can direct not only for the benefit of a particular patient but also for society and the state. The health of the population is the most valuable achievement of society; therefore, its preservation and strengthening are the essential tasks in which everyone, without exception, should take part. Not the last role in fulfilling this task is assigned to a large, hardworking and, as it seems to me, the central part of healthcare — nurses.
Critical Evaluation
Based on the brief review of the three articles on social change, the research by Krahn et al. most appeals to me and my interests regarding social transformation due to the following factors and reasons. Primarily, this paper defines the present and expected outcomes for society and the state, starting from the global level and concluding with the smallest. According to Krahn et al. (2019), home dialysis contributes to economic stability and improved health effects at all three levels: macro, meso, and micro. Due to such a clear, objective, and reliable description of the experiments conducted and the results obtained, the countries’ leaders have the opportunity to implement and adjust specific plans for healthy citizens.
Moreover, the government of the regions will be able to focus on correcting political and economic problems by directing the necessary resources and funds in the right direction. Namely, the eradication of severe consequences for the well-being of citizens and, as a result, a blow to the financial components. Considering current trends and innovative technologies related to home dialysis, it should be emphasized that nurses also participate and can participate in solving problems not only at the level of an individual medical institution but also for the entire population of the region in which they live. The article provides only the right direction, basis, and impetus for developing and approving specific measures, laws, norms, standards, and policies governing the procedure for assisting people in need of help and support.
References
Alcalde-Bezhold, G., Alcázar-Arroyo, R., Angoso-de-Guzmán, M., Arenas, M. D., Arias-GuillĂ©n, M., Arribas-Cobo, P.,… & de Sequera-Ortiz, P. (2021). Hemodialysis Centers Guide 2020. NefrologĂa (English Edition), 41(1), pp. 1-77. hWeb.
Bonenkamp, A. A., van der Sluijs, A. V. E., Hoekstra, T., Verhaar, M. C., van Ittersum, F. J., Abrahams, A. C., & van Jaarsveld, B. C. (2020). Health-related quality of life in home dialysis patients compared to in-center hemodialysis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Kidney Medicine, 2(2), pp. 139-154. Web.
Krahn, M. D., Bremner, K. E., de Oliveira, C., Dixon, S. N., McFarlane, P., Garg, A. X.,… & Pechlivanoglou, P. (2019). Home dialysis is associated with lower costs and better survival than other modalities: A population-based study in Ontario, Canada.Peritoneal Dialysis International, 39(6), pp. 553-561. Web.
Kraus, M. (2019). Benefits of home hemodialysis. Fresenius Medical Care. Web.