Implementing a Transition Pathway in Diabetes, Essay Example

Conducting a research study requires a specific method of data identification and a strategy to accomplish the intended results. Qualitative and quantitative research methods are available to guide patients in the development of strategies to support specific research objectives and to be proactive in advancing outcomes that will have a lasting impact on the subject matter. In diabetes research, both types of research are available for evaluation; however, the qualitative method provides a method of examining a research protocol that will be effective in addressing this patient population. In general, qualitative research addresses many of the questions that are not directly associated with research statistics, as this should not always be the primary focus of research studies that aim to support non-statistical objectives.

An article by Beverly, Hultgren, & Weinger (2011) addresses the significance of physician awareness of type 2 diabetes issues for patients in an emotional and social context. One research question to consider is as follows: What is the level of understanding that physicians have regarding their patient’s emotional and social experiences with type 2 diabetes and how does it impact their overall health and wellbeing? This question may provide some additional insight regarding the role of qualitative research in evaluating the emotional and social contexts of disease, which is an important step towards the identification of a well-rounded approach to the treatment of type 2 diabetes in patients.

The research study examined the path to a greater physician understanding of the emotional and social implications of type 2 diabetes and how these have a significant impact on overall patient health, and was rigorous in its efforts to understand these dimensions and to provide a basis for examining how physicians approach and relate to patients as they administer treatments (Beverly et.al, 2011). The researchers used probing questions in order to investigate a physician’s understanding of type 2 diabetes and the limitations that they possess in how to assess patient emotions and social interactions as a result of the disease (Beverly et.al, 2011).

In general, qualitative research may be more rigorous because it examines study participants through a well-defined lens, often employing interviews and other resources in order to determine how participants respond to a set of questions or experiences. This is similar in other studies where type 2 diabetes is the primary focus (Blakeman et.al, 2011; Ritholz et.al, 2011). In addition, interviews and other related methods provide different types of insight because the individual may expose emotional or social challenges that may be integral to the study in one form or another (Price et.al, 2011).

This study reflects the importance of physician involvement in working with patients with type 2 diabetes because their social and emotional needs are significant, and when these objectives are not accomplished, physicians may feel disconnected and less than adequate in treating these patients effectively (Beverly et.al, 2011). In this context, physicians may experience burnout that is difficult to manage, and it may limit their ability to successfully treat patients in this capacity when they do not easily understand the true burden of the disease and its lasting impact (Beverly et.al, 2011). For this study, the qualitative data analysis using semistructured interviews and thematic analysis was relevant because it supports a more well-rounded understanding of the factors that contribute to poor patient outcomes (Beverly et.al, 2011). Furthermore, it is important to identify the factors that will have a lasting impact on patient outcomes and on the need for physicians to be proactive in understanding the challenges associated with type 2 diabetes from the social and emotional platforms (Beverly et.al, 2011). This information will provide a basis for examining other variables that will have a lasting impact on patient care and treatment in this area.

References

Beverly, E. A., Hultgren, B. A., Brooks, K. M., Ritholz, M. D., Abrahamson, M. J., & Weinger, (2011). Understanding Physicians’ Challenges When Treating Type 2 Diabetic Patients’ Social and Emotional Difficulties A qualitative study. Diabetes Care, 34(5), 1086-1088.

Blakeman, T., Chew-Graham, C., Reeves, D., Rogers, A., & Bower, P. (2011). The Quality and Outcomes Framework and self-management dialogue in primary care consultations: a qualitative study. British Journal of General Practice, 61(591), e666-e673.

Price, C. S., Corbett, S., Lewis?Barned, N., Morgan, J., Oliver, L. E., & Dovey?Pearce, G. (2011). Implementing a transition pathway in diabetes: a qualitative study of the experiences and suggestions of young people with diabetes. Child: care, health and development, 37(6), 852-860.

Ritholz, M. D., Beverly, E. A., Abrahamson, M. J., Brooks, K. M., Hultgren, B. A., & Weinger, (2011). Physicians’ Perceptions of the Type 2 Diabetes Multi-disciplinary Treatment Team A Qualitative Study. The Diabetes Educator, 37(6), 794-800.