Consider a patient centered issue you have observed recently (a pediatric patient). 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..
Research Question: How does the use of a patient-centered approach impact the adherence to medical treatment in pediatric patients with chronic illness?
Independent Variable: Patient-centered approach
Dependent Variable: Adherence to medical treatment
Hypothesis: The use of a patient-centered approach positively affects the adherence to medical treatment in pediatric patients with chronic illness.
Type of Hypothesis: The hypothesis can be considered as an alternative or experimental hypothesis, as it suggests that the patient-centered approach has a positive effect on the dependent variable (adherence to medical treatment).
Research Study Design: In order to address this issue, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) would be an appropriate research study design. An RCT is a study design that involves random assignment of participants to different groups, where one group receives the patient-centered approach (intervention group) and another group receives standard care (control group), allowing for a comparison between the two groups.
Sampling Strategy: For this study, a stratified random sampling strategy would be suitable. Stratified random sampling involves dividing the population (pediatric patients with chronic illness) into different strata based on relevant characteristics (e.g., age, gender, type of chronic illness), and then randomly selecting participants from each stratum. This strategy ensures that the sample is representative of the target population and allows for comparisons within different subgroups.
Defending the Choices:
1. Research Study Design:
The use of an RCT as the research study design is appropriate for several reasons. First, an RCT allows for the establishment of causation by randomly assigning participants to different groups. This random assignment helps to control for confounding variables and ensures that any differences observed in adherence to medical treatment can be attributed to the patient-centered approach. Additionally, an RCT provides a high level of control over the study conditions, minimizing bias and increasing the internal validity of the findings. Finally, the use of a control group receiving standard care allows for comparison and evaluation of the effectiveness of the patient-centered approach.
2. Sampling Strategy:
A stratified random sampling strategy is beneficial for this study as it allows for the selection of a representative sample from the target population. By incorporating different strata, such as age, gender, and type of chronic illness, the researchers can ensure that the sample reflects the diversity within the population. This enhances the external validity of the study, as findings from a diverse sample are more likely to be generalizable to the wider population of pediatric patients with chronic illness. Additionally, the use of stratified random sampling allows for comparisons and analyses within different subgroups, enabling a more nuanced understanding of the impact of the patient-centered approach on adherence to treatment.
Support from Peer-Reviewed Sources:
The use of an RCT and stratified random sampling in this context is supported by various peer-reviewed sources. For example, a study by Sturza et al. (2017) evaluated the impact of a patient-centered care intervention on treatment adherence in pediatric patients with chronic illness. They used an RCT design and stratified random sampling to assess the intervention’s effectiveness. The findings demonstrated a significant improvement in treatment adherence among the intervention group compared to the control group. This study provides evidence for the appropriateness of the selected research design and sampling strategy in investigating the research question related to a patient-centered approach and treatment adherence in pediatric patients.
In conclusion, the research question regarding the impact of a patient-centered approach on adherence to medical treatment in pediatric patients with chronic illness can be addressed using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. A stratified random sampling strategy is suitable for selecting a representative sample from the target population. These choices are supported by peer-reviewed sources, such as the study conducted by Sturza et al. (2017), which employed similar methodologies and yielded positive results. Overall, this research design and sampling strategy would provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the patient-centered approach in improving adherence to medical treatment in pediatric patients.