Evidence Based Practice Essay Example
Evidence Based Practice Essay Example

Evidence Based Practice Essay Example

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  • Pages: 11 (3022 words)
  • Published: September 4, 2016
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The purpose of this essay is to assess and condense three chosen research papers that explore the experiences of parents or guardians caring for a child with autism. It will provide an explanation for selecting this particular question and describe the process used to select relevant research papers. Furthermore, it will evaluate the reliability of the three selected papers.

When developing a research question, two frameworks called "PICO" and "PIO" can be utilized in the essay. The primary objective of evaluating and critiquing research is to endorse evidence-based practice. This involves identifying a clinical problem, conducting a literature search, assessing research evidence, and determining suitable interventions (White 1997).

The Department of Health (1997) stresses the significance of employing evidence based practice in nursing in order to enhance the quality of care. Nursing care encompasse

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s various interventions and therefore requires a diverse knowledge and research base (Pearson et al 2002). For evidence to be reliable, it is crucial to maintain accurate records. A clear aim or outcome should be established when implementing Evidence Based Practice.

The research focuses on a specific question in order to find articles that answer the question. The articles explore parents' experiences of caring for a child with autism and compare the different experiences they encounter. As professionals, questioning nursing practice is inevitable. Lydeard (1991, P122) argues that questions are essential in research, and the quality of evidence depends on how the question is framed. Before conducting any research, the focus question needed to be connected to either the "PICO" or "PIO" frameworks.

The "PICO" framework, which stands for Population or Problem, Intervention or Issue, Comparison, an

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Outcome, incorporates a mechanism for efficient implementation of various parallel computing platforms (Butnariu, Censor ; Reich 2001 P219). The PIO framework has similar meanings but excludes the Comparison aspect. Depending on the type of research being conducted, PIO can sometimes be more specific as comparisons can complicate the search term.

The PIO framework was used to gather insights on parents/guardians' personal experiences with autism. The focused question is about their experiences with autism. It is important to address this topic because The National Autistic Society (2012) states that many parents feel isolated due to society's lack of understanding about autism and the challenges of caring for an autistic child.

ADS is a term that encompasses a condition with shared common characteristics. Caring for a child with autism can pose challenges for parents or guardians, and can also add pressure on siblings. Autism is an invisible disability, so parents may face disapproval from those who don't understand. Due to the spectrum nature of autism, parents' experiences can differ greatly (NHS Caring for Someone with Autism 2012).

While children with autism face similar challenges, the specific effects of this lifelong disability can differ between individuals. Autism influences communication, interaction with others, and engagement with the environment (Autism Child Network 2011). To ensure accuracy, we conducted a thorough search for three research papers. Before searching databases, we generated synonyms for the key terms in the structured question. Synonyms are words that possess identical meanings and can be employed interchangeably.

The implementation of interlinking similar papers enhances the success of searches. In the case of addressing the issue of autism within the PIO structure,

related terms like autistic and Asperger disorder were used to establish relevant connections. The second step in Evidence Based Practice involves searching for appropriate literature, which can be accomplished using various databases. In this particular case, the Medline, PsycINFO, and Cinahl databases were utilized to locate the most suitable papers concerning the structured question.

According to Just L (2007, P3), Medline is a top source for finding accurate information about medical conditions and procedures. It provides numerous references and controlled trials. The National Library of Medicine offers PsycINFO, which is an online database with a wide range of bibliographic references. It covers psychological literature from 1872 to the present, includes articles from over 13000 journals, and most references have abstracts or content summaries (Courtney M, McCutcheon H. 2010 P123).

Cinahl is a well-known database called The Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Literature and is produced by Cinahl information system. It includes article citations with abstracts from various sources such as journals, books, drug monographs, and dissertations (Mazurek Melnyk B, Fineout Overholt E, 2010 P58). When the database is chosen, the search can commence. It is important to establish synonyms for each aspect of the research question.

The survey targeted parents or guardians, so the terms synonyms mothers, fathers, relatives, and cares were employed to encompass similar meanings and potentially yield related articles. As for the topic at hand, both autistic and aspergers disorder were utilized. While the range of outcomes could be vast, this specific inquiry focused on experiences. To capture various perspectives, the synonyms perceptions, thoughts, and views were employed.

Once the synonyms are established, they can now be linked

to the Boolean operator Garish ; Lacey (2010 P70) define as AND, OR, and NOT. These words combine different search terms together to enhance search success. Search engines utilize Boolean logic in handling vast data sets and conducting complex, advanced searches. The use of AND retrieves articles containing both terms selected in the database. On the other hand, OR combines synonyms within a specific group, like P, I, or O. NOT is employed to exclude articles that contain a particular word (Hosser J 2012 P124).

The final column will display the number of matches for each search, whether conducted individually or collectively. In certain cases, the database may not yield many or any results because of the terms used or a scarcity of pertinent articles in the database. It is recommended to seek alternative sources to compare results. Additionally, it is feasible to establish limitations while searching in order to refine and enhance the outcomes. Both medline and cinahl have standard limits that can be utilized.

The search limits were not considered appropriate as they limited required information. All three chosen articles had to be similar in providing information. These articles were qualitative, which according to (Roe, B, Webb, C 1998) means studying things in their natural settings and interpreting them based on people's meanings. The articles also utilized personal experiences to discuss their findings.

Opting for the same research type offers more compelling evidence for the specific question. It also simplifies critiquing and summarizing the articles when they share a consistent format and concentrate on personal experiences. Given that the inquiry concerns experiences, there are no correct or incorrect answers since

each individual's personal experiences vary and cannot be modified by the writer. Although searching can be time-consuming, utilizing suitable synonyms and databases enables obtaining high-quality results.

The main aim of paper one was to collect direct testimonies from parents who are the primary caregivers for children with autism in China. A qualitative method was used for this research because of its logical reasoning and validation. The study took place at two institutions that offer services for children with autism and their families. These institutions include the Autism Institute, a privately owned non-governmental organization, and the Child Centre, a government-operated mental health center situated within a larger hospital that specializes in neurological and psychological treatment.

Both organizations provide a three-month training program for children with autism and their parents, aiming to teach parents how to support their child. Participants were chosen from the two locations based on three factors: both organizations are well-regarded autism centers that attract families from across China, they share the goal of educating parents, and by including one public agency and one private agency, it was aimed to gain a more comprehensive understanding of current service provision.

Invitations were extended to all parents of children enrolled at each site. At the Autism Institute, 35 out of 36 families chose to participate, while at the Child Centre, 8 out of 10 families volunteered. All the children involved in the study had married parents and all but one family had siblings. The age range of these children varied from 3 years 2 months to 11 years old. Data collection was done through semi structured interviews and questionnaires. Following the interviews, they

were recorded and transcribed.

To enhance data accuracy, all participants gave written consent and reviewed their transcribed interviews (member checking). Additionally, two follow-up questionnaires were administered - the first at 1-2 months and the second at 10-12 months after the initial interviews. Out of the total 43 participants, 34 completed and returned the first questionnaire, while only 31 completed the second questionnaire.

The study discovered that parents of autistic children in China experience isolation and solitude because doctors, teachers, professionals, and society have limited understanding of autism. As a result, families encounter challenges in locating suitable education and facilitating social integration for their autistic child. The data collected emphasizes the importance of professionals improving their awareness, knowledge, and education on autism to guarantee precise treatment and diagnosis. Additionally, providing support for these parents is crucial.

The objective of paper two is to gather the opinions of parents and caregivers regarding the challenges children with autism and ADHD encounter when trying to engage in leisure activities. It is a qualitative study that analyzes data obtained from a research project conducted by a public organization in an urban area in the English Midlands UK.

The organization's role is to offer short breaks and respite care for children with autism and ADHD in a particular borough. Their goal was to gain insight into the challenges involved in providing different leisure activities. The commissioning body provided a database of parents and carers who had been contacted before, along with a community group that helped establish support networks for parents and carers of children with autism.

From the initial 149 people approached by telephone, only

44 agreed to participate in the research. These 44 participants underwent a comprehensive telephone interview, followed by attendance at five focused groups and then an individual interview. The data from all the interviews was carefully analyzed and transcribed within 48 hours, with each author independently analyzing for accuracy.

The paper discovered that interviews consistently raised three themes: a sense of isolation, training issues and staff attitudes regarding mainstream and special provision needs, as well as attitudes of the general public. The research concludes that training staff to be more aware and understanding of children with disabilities would greatly improve their access to leisure facilities. However, the conclusion also shows that many disabled children and their families still encounter discrimination, low expectations, and various physical and social obstacles when trying to access such facilities. (Every child matters)

This qualitative study explores the experiences of Jewish families in caring for a child with autism, including their approach to treatment and religious beliefs related to autism. The research focused on thirty-two ultraorthodox families in Jerusalem who have a child with autism. Professionals from ten educational and therapeutic settings in Jerusalem and Bnai Brak assisted in contacting these families.

The author interviewed members of 30 families, out of the 32 that were referred. These families represented a range of settings including hostels, special schools, and day care centres. The majority of participants (27) were mothers, with 2 being couples and 1 being the father. The children with autism varied in age and severity of disorder. In total, 22 interviews were recorded and transcribed, while the remaining 8 participants declined to be recorded and their interviews were

documented in writing.

All participants expressed the challenges and lengthy process of diagnosing their child. The study revealed that all participants had a strong religious faith and utilized both therapeutic and religious interventions for their child's treatment. The findings demonstrated that more institutions were recognizing the importance of caring for autistic and other disabled children in ultraorthodox communities.

To summarize, it was challenging to inquire about the religious beliefs of participants regarding taking care of a child with autism and treating autism. However, most participants stated that their faith had been strengthened by having an autistic child. The study "Grappling with affliction in autism in the Jewish ultraorthodox community" highlights the importance of critically analyzing evidence-based practice to evaluate the credibility and reliability of research articles on specific topics.

The selected papers are all qualitative, so the author will be analyzing their trustworthiness and credibility. A good critique provides constructive criticism and suggestions to improve the research report, while also identifying the positive and negative qualities of the paper (Taylor ; Kermode, 2004, P85). Trustworthiness in qualitative research stems from reflecting the reality and ideas of the participants (Holloway, 1997, P160). Trustworthiness consists of credibility, transferability, dependability, and conformability as its four component parts.

Creditability or truth value in a research paper refers to whether the researcher accurately portrays the participants' perceptions of the setting or events. It involves representing what the participants think, feel, and do (Marguerite G et al 2010). Lincoln & Guba (1985 P291) also define credibility as internal validity and discuss how congruent the findings are with reality. They argue that establishing credibility is crucial for establishing

trustworthiness.

Limited evidence exists regarding the credibility of paper three's research, as it mainly relies on recording and transcribing participants' views and thoughts. It remains uncertain whether the participants had access to review the transcriptions, thus compromising the reliability of the information. The researcher may have overlooked or modified valuable data, potentially resulting in a research paper that reflects their own opinions rather than those of the participants.

Paper one is deemed more accurate as it employed the process of member checking. Following transcription of the interviews, participants were given the opportunity to review and augment the information, as well as validate its interpretations. Member checking serves to enhance study credibility by corroborating interpretations with involved participants. This method guarantees that the information is grounded in participants' thoughts, views, and feelings, ultimately elevating data accuracy and authenticity.

The authors involved in paper two separately analyzed all the collected data. This allowed them to collate the perspectives and ideas of each author, preventing any key points from being missed. Transferability, which refers to the richness of the description, is another component of trustworthiness. According to Jerry et al 2010 (P364), transferability is an important aspect in assessing quality as it determines whether the results would be useful in different settings or for conducting similar research.

Upon reviewing the papers, it is evident that the information gathered from participants in these studies has commonalities. The information is derived from their personal experiences and viewpoints on caring for a child with autism. The majority of participants in these papers describe their experiences as difficult and express a desire for more assistance. Paper one specifically

focuses on 43 primary caregivers who had to meet specific criteria pertaining to the condition.

The sample did not cover the care of adolescent children, so if the study focuses only on young children, it may yield different results when examining older children. The data collected was described as rich and detailed. According to Marguerite G et al (2010, P112), qualitative research tools often generate data that allows for deep and comprehensive descriptions of the studied phenomena. This paper presented a well-structured, step-by-step method for future researchers to conduct their studies.

The study's results can be reproduced and produce comparable outcomes when studying young children, but may vary for adolescents or young adults. The second paper also concentrates on young children with autism, so it cannot be applied to adults with autism. The study involved 44 participants who were caregivers of young children with autism and consented to share their perspectives.

The third paper examines the views of participants on caring for children with autism, both young and old. It aims to determine if these responses are consistent with those obtained from young children in the first two papers. Confirmability, similar to objectivity, is a component of trustworthiness that raises concerns about others being able to support the findings.

The text emphasizes the importance of ensuring that research findings are attributable to informants' experiences and ideas rather than the researcher's characteristics and preferences. Paper two is examined by authors involved in the interviews, while paper one allows participants to review and modify the information after transcription, thus reducing the likelihood of external influences. However, paper three does not mention any other

authors involved in analyzing the recorded data.

The confirmation of results and findings by others is still uncertain due to their reliance on personal experiences. The same subject may provoke different thoughts, feelings, and opinions from various individuals. While many papers recognize the difficulties of caring for a child with autism, not all participants may hold this perspective.

The final element is dependability, which determines if the research reader can comprehend the research's patterns and decision-making process. In qualitative research, dependability involves adapting to changes in the studied environment and research design (Conard & Serlin 2006, P416). Cotlen, L, et al (2007 P148) emphasizes that dependability acknowledges the constantly changing research context. The authors believe that all papers were well-structured and of high quality for the readers.

The papers contain in-depth explanations of the research methods, data collection and analysis procedures, as well as pertinent sample and participant details. While papers one and two provide more comprehensive summaries of their topics, paper three incorporates some statements derived from interview data. It is crucial to acknowledge that all studies depended on voluntary participation without exerting any influence on the participants.

The extensive and descriptive data collected from voluntary participants who shared their perspectives and experiences is valuable. The participants aimed to express their thoughts and feelings about their siblings, which added depth to the data. All of the papers focused on exploring parents' thoughts and experiences in caring for a child with autism, making them applicable in practical situations. Since these studies rely on caregivers' personal experiences, there is no expected outcome as each caregiver has a unique experience that cannot be

influenced or determined by anyone else.

Despite the fact that it does not affect current practices, recent research underscores the significance of enhancing support and awareness for children with autism. Moreover, there is a requirement for support groups and recreational facilities to broaden their offerings in order to cater to more families who have children with autism. Overall, the papers were well-written and offered explicit methods for gathering and examining data, rendering them easily understandable for both readers and future researchers.

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