Meta Analysis, Meta Synthesis, Article Critique Example

Article Source

Myung-Haeng Hur, et al. (2010). Ginseng for Reducing the Blood Pressure in Patients with Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Ginseng Research Volume 34 No 4.

Did the reviewers appraise the quality of the primary studies? Did they use a defensible and well-defined set of criteria, or a well-validated quality appraisal scale?

Myung-Haeng Hur and his colleagues were able to utilize the meta-analysis systematic review approach in an effective manner. Utilizing a small population of sample for the study, this research involved particular patients who were depicted to have hypertension cases in the most constant occurrences. Examining how different types of ginseng could actually help in reducing hypertensive occurrences, the researchers of this study established an experimental and control sample within two separate settings; one testing the Korean red ginseng and the other to test the effect of the North American ginseng on the patients. Setting the tests, there has also been an imposed utilization of placebo effect testing as part of the study hence to eliminate possible margins of mistake or at least to lower down particular irregularities in the process (Polit, et al, 2003, 712).

Reviewing the results of the study, it has been presented that in a way the tests were able to present particular changes in the hypertensive reactions of the patients before and after they were subjected to drinking ginseng from Korea and North America. Upon receiving the results though, such reactions revealed that the expected outcome was not properly yielded since the patients responded almost at the same rate to both ginseng and even to the placebo application.

Was sufficient information extracted about study findings?

Through the randomized clinical trials considered in this study, it could be analyzed that the margin of mistake from the results that were taken and observed from the procedures has already been lowered down. The lesser expectations that the patients had with what they are being served with specifically creates lesser assumptions that could likely cause some irregularities that may cause BP rates to lower down or heighten up. To make sure that the results are intact, a second test was prepared to be observed within the next 24 hours upon administration. This served as the second-base proof on the real reaction of the body system of the patients to the ginseng that they were given. However, even at the second attempt, no changes were specifically incurred hence it has been realized and suggested by the researchers that further study on the matter should be warranted necessary for pursuance.

Understandably, from this stand-point, it could be noted how the researchers of this study utilized effective evidence-based assumptions and conclusions so as to make indicative depiction of facts based on what they were trying to prove about the health benefits of ginseng with regards the control of blood pressure in particular patients. Realizing that they have proven but a small consistency regarding the effectiveness of the said health provision, the researchers opted to note the weakness of their approach hence creating a suggestion that further examinations on the matter should be pursued in the future.

Meta-Synthesis

Article Source

Schlomann, P and Schmitke, J. (2007). Lay beliefs about hypertension: An interpretive synthesis of the qualitative research. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners 19 (2007) 358–367.

Did the reviewers appraise the quality of the primary studies? Did they use a defensible and well-defined set of criteria, or a well-validated quality appraisal scale?

To administer a course of defining how beliefs about hypertension and its treatment affect client trust on their healthcare providers, the researchers of this study chose 11 different qualitative researches as a source of their referenced comparison and differentiation of results and conclusions. It is aimed by the researchers to create a connection between these 11 studies that would serve as a guide that would determine the capacity of the beliefs of hypertension to create a comprehensive approach in redefining the process by which patients are to be better helped with their health cases.

Following a three-stage process by which the synthesis is based upon, the researchers considered the preliminary interpretations of the authors of the researches as the first order, the interpretations based on the participants as the second order and the interpretation of the findings as the third order of assumption and explanation. Based on the principles of meta-synthesis systematic review, this approach is effective especially in aiming to separately address the different elements that are consisted within the body of each research hence creating a more convincing connection that would establish a common ground from where the idealisms of the studies spur out from (Polit, et al, 2003, 715).

Was sufficient information extracted about study findings?

To note, the researchers/reviewers in this study found out that there are three primary reasons why the beliefs on hypertension did not become a strong foundation of trust between patients and healthcare givers. This reasons include the absence and presence of symptoms that cannot be fully decided upon by healthcare givers as they attend to their patients, another is the assumption of healthcare givers as they advice their patients to take medications for a lifetime and the last is that of the creation of the race-specific treatment plans that were designed to be specifically recommended to specific races based on their body makeup which some patients assume to be somewhat discriminative.

The meta-synthesis approach used in this study could be considered effective and reflective of the fact that the eleven researches used do have some common grounds that explain the reality behind the connection that patients with hypertension have with their caregivers. Relatively, the results collected and presented in this review provides a clear indication on what healthcare givers need to give attention to so as to further improve the relationship the patients establish with their healthcare givers especially in times of their blood pressures irregular balance.

Reference

Polit, D. and Beck, C.T. (2003). Nursing Research: Principles and Methods (Nursing Research: Principles & Practice). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Publishing.