Asthma in Children - Assignment Example

Quantitative Research Critique The title for this article is ‘A preliminary study to evaluate a patient-centered asthma education programme on parental control of home environment and asthma signs and symptoms in children with moderate-to-severe asthma.’ This title is consistent with the text in the sense it conforms with the aims, objectives and the results of the study which emphasize on the importance self management practices which help the parents to reduce the asthma triggers at home or to reduce the severity of asthma attacks. Abstract The abstract provides clear information on the main features of the article. These include the aim, background, method, results, conclusions and the relevance to clinical practice. However, the abstract fails to identify the problem statement and the instruments of data collection. Statement of the problem The problem is allergic triggers which lead to asthma attacks in children Hypothesis A patient centred education program would be more effective at improving asthma mobility than a routine mobility program. Protection of participant’s rights The researcher informed the participants before carrying out the study and obtained their consent. Literature review The report adequately provides a summary into the existing knowledge of study which is related to the problem in this study. The information about the previous studies is used to support the interpretation of the findings. The research design The researcher employed a preliminary quasi-experimental non equivalent control group design. This involves the selection of groups of study in which a variable is tested without random pre-selection process. It is used for measuring social variables. Population and samples The researcher employed purposive method in selection and recruitment of parents (n=75) with children suffering from moderate or severe asthma. The population was adequate since it addressed the patients who had specific knowledge about asthma with different levels of suffering. Recruitment The researcher employed purposive method to recruit the participants based on the level of suffering (moderate and severe). They also measured parent’s control of home environmental triggers and children asthma signs. The children were classified into comparison and experimental groups. Data collection The researcher employed a self report questionnaire in collection of data. The advantages of using questions are that they are cheap and easy to use. The disadvantages of using questionnaires are that the participants may not be willing to fill them if they have long and complex questions. Data analysis All data were analysed using SPSS for windows (version 12.0). The researcher also employed descriptive statistics to analyse demographic characteristics. Findings of the study The study showed that centred education programme significantly improved parent’s households’ dusts and cleaning behaviours relative to the comparison group. The study also showed that children with moderate or severe asthma in experimental group had fewer signs of asthma and better lung function than children in the comparison group. Implications and recommendations Parents-cantered asthma education programme improved parents home environmental control and children’s asthma signs and lung function. This knowledge may be used in clinical practice in education of patients in asthma clinics. Presentation The article was clear and written in a very empirical way. In order to make the findings accessible to practicing nurses, the article was published (it is open to the public for reference). Qualitative research critique The title for this article is ‘parental perceptions of their child's asthma: management and medication use.’ This topic is consistent with the text in the sense that the study confirms a relationship between understanding of the child’s asthmatic condition and the way the parent adheres to asthmatic medication or prescription. On the other hand the study indicates that the perception of the parent on long-term medication use may act as barrier to effective asthma management. However, the topic should not only address the parents’ perception but also on the patient perception and concern about the medications prescribed. Abstract The abstract does not have sufficient information about the stages of a research study. The important components which were excluded are the statement of the problem, the approach to data analysis, the conclusions and implications of the findings. Statement of the problem The problem statement is lack of understanding of the nature or the symptoms of asthma by the parents, health care providers and the patients (children) which leads to poor management and administration of asthma medication. Research questions What are the attitudes and beliefs of parents’ about asthma medications and administration? What are the parental experiences of living with a child with asthma? How does asthma affect the child and the family? How Partnership and communication with the health care provider helps in management of asthma? The research questions are not explicitly stated. The questions are not well elaborated. However they are able to gather the necessary information from the specific participants who have experience of living with children with asthma. Literature review The report fairly summarises the existing body of knowledge related to the problem. It provides references to the previous literature that helps in understanding of the problem. However, the report does not provide enough literature to support the interpretation and discussion of the findings. Protection of participants’ rights The researcher safeguarded the participants by not revealing their private information without their consent. The researcher also safe guarded their rights by interviewing them at home rather than in the public places where the confidential information would be made available to the public. This study was not designed to minimize risks. The purpose of this study was to report parental experiences with children suffering from asthma, specifically their beliefs, knowledge, and attitudes about asthma management, including medication use (Kathleen et al. 2003, p. 118). However the findings of this study indicate some of the techniques that parents suffering from asthma should employ to minimize the risks. Research design The research design for this study is descriptive in the sense that it describes parental experiences with their children, specifically their beliefs, knowledge, and attitudes about asthma management. Population and participants The research design is purposive. The researcher gathered information from parents and children who have specific knowledge about the area of study (asthma). The researcher interviewed 18 parents of children 2 to 18 who were suffering from asthma. Recruitment Purposive sampling of respondents drawn from clinical practice settings was used to ensure inclusion of children with different levels of disease severity. Data collection The study was conducted through semi-structured, qualitative, face to face interviews. The researcher minimized biasness by using open ended questions to illicit parents understanding of the nature of asthma. These questions were adequate for the collection of data. Data analysis The data were analyzed using a conceptually clustered matrix. The themes analyzed using this method adequately capture the meaning of the data. The analysis helped to identify the knowledge and diagnosis of asthma which led to identification of themes related to asthma management. Findings The researcher identified eight themes within the domain of asthma management and medication. These themes emphasized the need for the parents to partner with providers in their child’s asthma management, as well as asthma education. The limitation or the challenges faced in collection of the data were in homes were interruptions that occurred as a result of children, the telephone, or visitors. Implications and recommendations This study emphasized that parents of children with asthma have a working knowledge of the care of their child. This implies that medical practitioners should listen and respect the knowledge and ideas of these parents if they would want to improve or provide help in the best way possible Presentation This study is very important to the medical practitioners since it provides them with knowledge which is relevant to the area of their study. It provides them with opportunities for improvement in specific areas such as the use of written treatment plans and scheduling routine follow-up care. Literature review Importance of literature review Firstly, literature review informs the researcher of what is already known about the area of interest. Secondly, it helps the researcher to gain understanding of the relationship between the area of study and other subjects. Lastly it helps the researcher to be familiar with research processes and contribution of other researchers (Li-Fen et al 2009, p. 1428). Issues identified in the study The main challenges or problems faced by the parents while taking care of the children with asthma are management and administration of drugs. These lead to identification of two major concepts; the need for ongoing asthma education and hassles with medication administration. The two issues The need for ongoing asthma education There is need for the parents to have education about asthma. This is very important in the sense that it helps the parent to give the required medication to the children as prescribed by the doctor. Education programs also improve the communication between the provider and parent. In many instances, negotiation exist between the physician and parent if both of them have proper knowledge and understanding of the nature of asthma. These programs help in diagnosis and management of asthma, regular assessment and monitoring of symptoms, appropriate pharmacologic therapy and control of triggers. Hassles with medication administration Parents face challenges when giving medication to the children suffering from asthma. One of these challenges is children resistance in taking the medication. It is also painful for the child to take medicine twice a day. To cope with these challenges different parents suggested that they use devices, charts and systems that organize medication administration. The use of these devices was recommended in the sense that it helped the parents to remember and administer medications with minimal missed doses. The diaries help the parents to stay organized and answer questions as required if they visit medical practitioners. Conclusion Parents of children suffering from asthma face challenges before they can adjust to issues in managing their asthmatic condition. They come up with different devices which would help them to remember and administer medications at the required time. These include harts and systems that organize medication administration. In addition to this, parents cope up with asthma problems through education programs. These programs help parent to give the required medication to the children as prescribed by the doctor. They also help in diagnosis and management of asthma. Bibliographies Kathleen Peterson-Sweeney, MS, CPNP, Ann McMullen, MS, CPNP, H. Lorrie Yoos, PhD, CPNP, & Harriet Kitzman, PhD, RN (2003), Parental perceptions of Their Child’s Asthma: Management and Medication Use, pp 118-125 Li-Fen Tzeng, Li-Chi Chiang, Kai-Chung Hsueh, Wei-Fen Ma and Lin-Shien Fu (2009). Children and Adolescent Nursing. Journal of Clinical Nursing, pp 1425-1433 Read More