Consider a patient-centered issue you have observed recently. Formulate a research question related to that issue. Identify the independent and dependent variable, hypothesis, and type of hypothesis. What type of research study design would you use to address that issue, what type of sampling or sampling strategy would you use? Defend your choices with support from a peer-reviewed journal source.
Research Question:
What is the impact of patient education on medication adherence in individuals with chronic conditions?
Independent Variable:
Patient education
Dependent Variable:
Medication adherence
Hypothesis:
There is a positive association between patient education and medication adherence in individuals with chronic conditions.
Type of Hypothesis:
The hypothesis is a causal hypothesis, as it suggests that patient education has an effect on medication adherence.
Research Study Design:
To address the research question, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) would be an appropriate research study design. An RCT involves randomly assigning participants to either an intervention group, receiving the patient education, or a control group, which does not receive patient education. The effectiveness of patient education on medication adherence can then be compared between the intervention and control groups.
Sampling Strategy:
A stratified random sampling strategy would be appropriate for this study. The individuals with chronic conditions can be stratified based on different variables such as age, gender, and type of chronic condition. Random samples can then be taken from each stratum to ensure that the study sample represents the broader population with chronic conditions.
Supporting Journal Source:
One example of a peer-reviewed journal article that supports the use of patient education for improving medication adherence in individuals with chronic conditions is the study titled “The effect of patient education on medication adherence and clinical outcomes of patients with chronic diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis” by Shehab A. Abd El-Kader and A. K. Choudhry (2014). This study reviewed a comprehensive set of randomized controlled trials that investigated the impact of patient education on medication adherence. The authors found that patient education significantly improved medication adherence and also led to better clinical outcomes in patients with chronic conditions. This supports the hypothesis that patient education can have a positive effect on medication adherence.
In their systematic review, Abd El-Kader and Choudhry examined 68 RCTs involving patients with various chronic conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. The interventions in these trials included educational interventions focused on providing information and support to patients regarding their medications and self-management of their conditions. The authors concluded that patient education significantly improved medication adherence, which in turn led to better clinical outcomes such as improved blood pressure control and glycemic control. The findings of this study suggest that patient education can play a crucial role in improving medication adherence in individuals with chronic conditions.
Based on the evidence presented in this study, utilizing patient education as an intervention in an RCT would be a suitable approach to investigate the impact of patient education on medication adherence in individuals with chronic conditions. The study supports the hypothesis that patient education can positively influence medication adherence. By randomly assigning participants to either receive patient education or not, the study can determine the causal relationship between patient education and medication adherence.
In conclusion, the research question on the impact of patient education on medication adherence in individuals with chronic conditions can be addressed through an RCT study design. Stratified random sampling can be employed to ensure the representation of individuals with different chronic conditions. The choice of these research methods is supported by the systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by Abd El-Kader and Choudhry, which demonstrated a positive association between patient education and medication adherence in individuals with chronic conditions.