Telemonitoring Heart Failure Patient, Article Critique Example

What is the purpose of this research? The purpose of this study was to examine how caregivers of family members with heart failure make decisions: actualizing, seeking input, information, or support, reflecting, choosing, evaluating, and validating the decision.

What is the research question (or questions)? This may be implicit or explicit. The researchers wanted to determine how the decision making process changed as the patients with HF progressed with symptoms of the disease.

Did the authors describe the design of this study? If so, give a description. A qualitative design was used. Twenty participants were recruited from cardiology offices, inpatient hospital units, or adult daycare facilities over a 12-month period from 2008-2009. To qualify, the participant had to be related to the patient with HF. After consent was given, unstructured open-ended interviews were conducted in private mutually agreed on locations-the homes, places of employment, or the library. Interviews lasted 45 minutes to 2 hours. There were specific questions asked to each caregiver.

What characteristics does this study possess that are quantitative in nature? Review Chapter 2. The study took place over a 12-month period of time. The caregiver was asked the same questions over a period of time to determine if the approach to making decisions changed as the patients’ disease progressed.

What is the evidence that this journal is peer-reviewed? Does the journal have an editorial board? (Look for the journal’s website to discover this information) This is a peer reviewed journal. It does have a editorial board.

Is there evidence of any conflict of interest? Do the authors have any potential financial gain from the results of this study? There were no conflicts of interests and participants did not receive monetary compensation.

Describe the population for this study. The population of this study was random. There were members from different ethnic groups, martial status, income bracket, job status, etc.

How was the sample selected? What are the strengths and weaknesses of this sampling strategy? They were selected from different medical facilities in the area of the study. One major strength of the selection was that the participants were asked the questions by the researcher, instead of given the questions and being allowed to determine if they qualified. No weaknesses were noted.

Were the subjects in this study vulnerable? Were there any risks for them as the result of participation in the research study? The participants were not vulnerable due to the study. There were not risks to them as a direct result of participating in the study.

Are there any HIPAA concerns that are evident in this study? No, no concerns were found.

What is the purpose of this research? The purpose of this study was to examine whether telemonitoring by an advanced practice nurse reduced subsequent hospital readmissions, emergency department visits, costs, and risk of hospital readmission for patients with HF (heart failure). Also, they wanted to know if the process would affect the patients’ susceptibility of depression.

What is the research question (or questions)? This may be implicit or explicit. The researchers wanted to determine if telemonitoring procedures would affect a patient’s readmission or hospitalization of patients who are suffering from heart failure. They want to know if have telemonitoring practices will decrease or eliminate hospitalization of these patients.

Did the authors describe the design of this study? If so, give a description. The study was conducted at a 537-bed tertiary teaching hospital in Northeastern Ohio. The participants were patients and caregivers dyads. The patients were all aged 65 or older and had been given a diagnosis of a classification II, III, or IV of heart failure. This classification functionally impaired the patient from at least one daily activity required for daily living. Caregivers informed the patients that meet the requirements of the study and received oral permission from each patient that participated. The care manager was responsible for monitoring of parameters received electronically daily. Patients were asked specific questions that were placed on a scale and given a point value.

What characteristics does this study possess that are qualitative in nature?  This study is qualitative because it seeks to determine if a particular method will alter the outcome of a usual phenomenon. The use of the telemonitoring technique may alter the outcome of patients with heart failure. The researchers believed that readmissions shortly after discharge was causing patients to become depressed because repeated hospitalization and depression were also affected the patients’ quality of life.

What is the evidence that this journal is peer-reviewed? Does the journal have an editorial board? (Look for the journal’s website to discover this information) Yes, the journal is peer reviewed. They have an editorial board. This information was stated on the website.

Is there evidence of any conflict of interest? Do the authors have any potential financial gain from the results of this study? There were no conflicts of interests because the nurses who did the post care were not aware of the study. No financial rewards were offered.

Describe the population for this study. The participants in this study were all aged 65 and older. They had already been diagnosed with heart failure of classifications I, II, III, or IV. Each stated that their heart failure was affecting their everyday lives by prohibiting them from completing daily tasks.

How was the sample selected? What are the strengths and weaknesses of this sampling strategy? The participants were chosen from the patients’ make-up at the hospital the study was conducted in. The participants were informed of the study and those who gave verbal consent were allowed to participate. Other than the fact that the patients were able to read the requirements of the study and inform the nurse if they meet the qualifications, the rest of the procedures were strengths. By allowing the patient to read the information, this might affect the patients’ honesty. They questions should have been asked by the nurse to determine which patients meet the requirements.

Were the subjects in this study vulnerable? Were there any risks for them as the result of participation in the research study? This study would not affect the lives of the participants after the study was completed.

Are there any HIPAA concerns that are evident in this study? No, they researchers seemed to have followed all HIPAA guidelines. The participants were informed of HIPAA guidelines before the start of the study.