Synthesizing and Evaluating Valid and Reliable Research

Running head: QUALITY IMPROVEMENT 1

Quality improvement for public health facilities

Quantitative Research Methods Evaluation and Statistical Applications

HLTH335 1701A-01

UNIT 3 IP

Summary

The types of research are both qualitative and quantitative. They are set to find out a series of events, their causes as well as the consequences of these events. The four studies may be different in that they are set to find out different phenomenon, but they also use experiments and the collection of data to justify the research question, topic and draw conclusions. Quality improvement is something that has been emphasized in all the studies as they compare the desired situation with the current one. A study done by Wangari, Anyango & Wanjau (2013), sets to find out the factors that are affecting the provision of quality services within the Kenyan public health sector. This is a common phenomenon in most countries as private health sector has the tendency to provide more quality service than public health sector.

For quality improvement to be a reality, there must be support and involvement of the patients in the process. Through their study, Hibbard & Greene (2013) confirm that there is indeed significance for the patients to participate in the provision of quality health care within healthcare facilities. There is need to practice quality improvement in health facilities for reduction of deaths and infant mortality among low-income countries. Spector et al. (2012) conducted an investigation that was geared to express the link between better health care and improved health care outcomes. Finally, according to Aiken et al. (2012), the relationship between improved quality care and nurses and patients’ satisfaction are very slim. The study was initiated to establish the connection between the two so as to find out a way to improve care within the US and Europe.

Sample and population

In all the studies the sample and study population used were suitable for the individual study. The appropriateness of the population was directly related to the geographical coverage of the study and its applicability. For example, to understand the phenomenon studied by Aiken et al. (2012), the sample used was both from the US and Europe. A study is relevant if there is a close relationship between the population and the anticipated results. Hibbard & Greene (2013) take on a different approach which uses the qualitative aspect to come to conclusions. They use an array of researchers that have been previously conducted to come up with similar and viable conclusions. While this approach may work to serve the purpose, it also draws a sensible conclusion as more work is covered. The number of previous studies used by Hibbard & Greene (2013) justifies the results of the findings as in the other cases.

Summary of results, limitations, conclusions, and applications

The studies above draw one general conclusion to their study, that is, the need for quality improvement. Some factors may hinder the provision of services in the public health sector, but the general idea is that there is a need for adjustment of how services are delivered so as to promote health. The second conclusion is that studies have justified the need for patients to take part in the improvement of their healthcare actively. If they do not complain or advocate for change, there is little that can be done for them to achieve the same. The researchers sparingly spotted challenges, but it can be assumed through the sampling methods that they used that the data was not very easy to collect. Additionally, covering a wider geographical region data collection could potentially result in more expenses for the researcher. Application of the research findings into real healthcare facility should be practiced as the results of the findings are based on facts. The researchers go deeper into the problem and use evidence-based practice to draw a conclusion to their work. It is recommended that the relevant information attained from the study be applied to the relevant healthcare facilities so as to see to it that there is improved care and service within the healthcare facilities.

Results, conclusions, and applications

The use of the study significantly varies as they all study different factors. First of all, the application of the findings of patient involvement can be used to educate patients on their roles in the provision of health care. The study done on factors that hinder improved service delivery in public hospitals can be applied to address the issues raised as well as formulate better strategies that will be used to rectify the situation within these facilities. One general conclusion made is that there is indeed the need for quality improvement within the healthcare facilities.

Statistical method used in the cited research studies

The data was statistically analyzed for most of the studies. In the study conducted by Spector et al. (2012), there was the use of checklists and graph presentation for the study. Wangari et al. (2013) analyzed their study both qualitatively and statistically. They used ANOVA technique to draw conclusions on the service quality within the health facility under study. Odd ratios and regression were used by Aiken et al. (2012) to draw the difference between nurse staffing in Europe and America. The quality of the data analysis and the type of analysis used greatly depend on the study type and what one intends to establish. It is recommended that more than one analysis be used to make the conclusions even more reliable.

References