Research Summary and Ethical Considerations, Research Paper Example

Nurses’ decision-making in cases of physical restraint: a synthesis of qualitative evidence

This summary details a qualitative study pertaining to nurse’ decision making in cases of physical restraint. The researchers are Sabine Goethals, Bernadette Dierckx de Casterle ´and Chris Gastmans, it is my intention to later implement the findings contained inthisreport (Introduction)

According to these researchers the background to this study pertains to using physical restraints in acute and residential healthcare facilities. It was observed that devices were extensively applied across the country in many facilities as attempts to restrain patients are made. Importantly, the decision process whereby nurses make a judgment whether to use them or not needed clarification. Besides, it appearedthat these decisions were not evidence-based. Also, there were few alternatives to physical restraints available, which made the decision making process more difficult. Physical restraints resulted in many adversities to patients and it became imperative that an investigation into strategies used by nurses to determine the necessity of using them on patients (Goethals, Dierckx de Casterle&Gastmans, 2011).

In describing their objectiveresearchers explained that their aim was advancing an understanding of the decision-making when physical restraint are used. They intended gathering ideas form nurses; view point. The researchers applied the conceptsdecision-making, ethics, nurses, physical restraint, and qualitative meta-synthesis to their research content (Goethals et.al,2011).

A qualitative methodology was employed. Thisenabled researchers to devise scientifictechniques in facilitating exploration of why and how of the decision making process executed by nurses in determining the appropriateness of physical restraints (Creswell, 2008). The precise qualitative technique employed utilized reviewing research papers published during the periods January 1990 to 2010. They were selected from Web of Science, Medline, Cinahl, Embase,   and PsycInfo. Review methods. Further, a systemic review was conducted whereby a Meta-synthesis was obtained providing qualitative evidence of possible reasons for nurses’ decisions. Guidelines from Johanna Briggs Institute were applied in facilitating the process (Goethals et. al, 2011).

Literature relating various features and elements that impact and influence nurses’ decision-making process were reviewed.The meta-synthesis aimed at obtaining a collaborative understanding of results obtained from a number of single, yet relevant qualitative data in synthesizing an extensive description.  Guidelines from Johanna Briggs Institute were applied in facilitating the process. This was intentional since researchers did not want to use the JBI-QARI instrument and – software.  As such, the approach required the aggregation of findings from literature through Level 1 assembling. Next they were categorized based onsimilarity in meaning considered level 2. Finally, these categories were offered a meta- synthesis treatment, which provided comprehensive synthesized findings in Level 3 stage. Twelve pieces of literature were reviewed (Joanna Briggs Institute, Reviewers Manual, 2008, p. 35).

Results of this study indicated that there were limited resources at nurses’ disposal in meeting the demands of patients who were not complying with remaining in bed or wandering around the facility. Consequently, nurses took action based on their legal responsibility to protect their patients from harm and danger. However, the researchers advanced that despite these constraints nurses also have to take into consideration the holistic nature of their patients when making physical restraints decisions. They are human with psychological needs. Some restraint methods reduce their identity and must be re-evaluated (Goethals et. al, 2011).

Ethical considerations were of minimal concerns in this study because subjects were not used in the research.  In a systemic review permission for sharing of subjects’ data is contained in the various studies. The authors sought permission from their Institutional board to conduct the research. In concluding it must be emphasized that in my opinion the goals of this study were met; the research design even though unique was applicable to the research problem. This study could guide nurses into rethinking their restrain approaches as well as methods utilized.

References

Creswell, J. (2008). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage.

Goethals, S. Dierckx de Casterle, B., &Gastmans, C. (2011).Nurses’ decision-making in cases of physical restraint: a synthesis of qualitative evidence. Journal of Advanced Nursing.

Johana Brigs Institute (2008). Review Manual. Briggs Manual