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 your textbook or other peer-reviewed journal source.
Title: Understanding the Impact of Patient-Centered Communication on Health Outcomes: A Research Question
Introduction:
In modern healthcare, patient-centered communication has emerged as a critical factor in improving health outcomes. The way healthcare providers interact and communicate with their patients significantly influences patient satisfaction, adherence to treatment plans, health-related behaviors, and, ultimately, overall health outcomes. This paper aims to formulate a research question related to a patient-centered issue and identify the independent and dependent variables, hypothesis, type of hypothesis, research study design, and sampling strategy to address the issue.
Research Question:
Does the integration of patient-centered communication techniques improve medication adherence among elderly patients with chronic diseases?
Independent Variable:
The independent variable in this research question is the integration of patient-centered communication techniques. This variable refers to the specific strategies and approaches used by healthcare providers to actively involve patients in their healthcare decisions. Examples may include shared decision-making, active listening, empathy, and collaborative goal-setting.
Dependent Variable:
The dependent variable is medication adherence among elderly patients with chronic diseases. Medication adherence is measured by the extent to which patients consistently follow their prescribed medication regimen as recommended by their healthcare providers. This variable is crucial for evaluating the impact of patient-centered communication on health outcomes, as non-adherence to medication can lead to worsening health conditions and increased healthcare utilization.
Hypothesis:
The hypothesis for this study is as follows:
Null Hypothesis (H0): There is no significant relationship between the integration of patient-centered communication techniques and medication adherence among elderly patients with chronic diseases.
Alternate Hypothesis (H1): The integration of patient-centered communication techniques significantly improves medication adherence among elderly patients with chronic diseases.
Type of Hypothesis:
This hypothesis is a directional or one-tailed hypothesis. It posits that patient-centered communication techniques will have a positive effect on medication adherence among elderly patients with chronic diseases.
Research Study Design:
To address this research question, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design would be most appropriate. An RCT design allows for the comparison of an intervention group (exposed to patient-centered communication techniques) with a control group (not exposed to these techniques) and examines the impact of the independent variable on the dependent variable. By randomly assigning patients to either the intervention or control group, the study design ensures that any observed differences in medication adherence can be attributed to the independent variable, rather than other confounding factors.
Sampling Strategy:
The study would employ a purposive sampling strategy to select participants. Given that the focus is on elderly patients with chronic diseases, it would be essential to include a representative sample that reflects the target population. Purposive sampling allows researchers to specifically select individuals who meet the predefined criteria (i.e., elderly patients with chronic diseases) and possess relevant characteristics necessary for providing valuable insights into the research question. By using this strategy, researchers can ensure a sufficient number of participants who have experience with medication adherence challenges and can evaluate the impact of patient-centered communication on their behavior.
Defense of Choices:
According to the textbook “Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches” by John W. Creswell, RCT design is regarded as the gold standard for assessing the efficacy of interventions and establishing causal relationships between variables. It provides a robust methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of patient-centered communication techniques on medication adherence, enabling researchers to draw valid conclusions. The use of purposive sampling is justified as it enables researchers to intentionally select participants with characteristics essential for better understanding the research question.
Furthermore, a peer-reviewed study conducted by Street et al. (2013) titled “Patient-Centered Communication in Cancer Care: Promoting Healing and Reducing Suffering” supports the notion that patient-centered communication positively influences health outcomes. This study found that patient-centered communication techniques were associated with increased patient satisfaction, improved medication adherence, and enhanced health-related quality of life among cancer patients.
In summary, the research question about the impact of patient-centered communication on medication adherence among elderly patients with chronic diseases is formulated with clear independent and dependent variables, as well as a directional hypothesis. The choice of an RCT design and purposive sampling strategy is supported by the textbook and related peer-reviewed research, ensuring rigorous methodology and relevant participant selection.