The Consistency of Self, Article Critique Example

The Consistency of Self-Reported Preferences for Everyday Living: Implications for person-centered Care Delivery

The following article, “The Consistency of Self-Reported Preferences for Everyday Living: Implications for person-centered Care Delivery” written by Haitsma, Abbott, Heid, Carpenter, Curyto, Kleban, Eshraghi, Duntzee, and Spector, discusses the consistency of 87 individuals preferences on a daily basis for a duration of one week. In conducting the research, they compared the responses from university students and nursing home residents. The recent health care reform has created a focus on improving health of the population, as well as reduced healthcare costs and improved experiences from patients. The importance of the research is rooted in the overall point that, “honoring preferences is the foundation of person-centered care, and represents a journey toward honoring the rich contributions that individuals have made in their lifetimes.” (Haitsma et al. 2014) Based on the self-determination theory in which individuals possess the innate needs to maximize their well-being. The authors sought to draw a correlation for a need for a referendum on the care of older adults, and the overall improvement for patient experience, based on the data recorded from both young and older adults.

The key points of the study were to show any differences in the preferences of older adults in nursing home care, as opposed to university students. By focusing on person-centered the authors were able to use information from older adults that were able to relay their own preferences towards care planning, care goals, and their preference for leisure activities. The results of the study concluded that preferences were based on the care outcomes in relation to the expression of an individual’s basic needs. There were no differences in the consistency of nursing home residents and college students’ preferences. More importantly older adults were more stable in their preferences for personal care, asserting a needed improvement in healthcare.

The authors, who have contributed research in their current study, are qualified to write on the topic presented. The authors provided a well-researched topic that goes underrepresented in the focus of healthcare reform in regards to the “Triple Aim” of healthcare care. The methodology used in conducting the study was based on qualitative and quantitative data pulled from two sample populations; university students, and nursing home residents. A total of 87 participants were used with the mean ages of 81.6 and 19.8. All demographics were self-reported, and the study used the qualitative method of interviewing (PELI) the preferences. The questions ranged from everyday topics to the basis of personal care, including self-dominion and social contact. The respondents rated each of the 66 items on the survey on their level of importance twice in a one-week period. Using the demographic and scores from the PELI interview the study concluded that the differences in the preferences was on their level of importance to the two sample populations, as the older adults saw more importance in their preferences. This finding is important to the study because of the significance it provides to the dynamics of clinical care, and why individuals’ preferences change over time.

The authors believe that more research needs to be conducted on the relation of the psychological needs and the consistency of preferences for delivery of care. The research was written in a manner that can be understood by those that outside of the scope of gerontology research. Instead audiences that include community care centers, researchers in the field of psychology, and individuals are able to gain beneficial information into the importance of how care is delivered and the current assessment of nursing homes. This information is significant the field of gerontology because it provides a wider look at person-centered care for older adults. While also providing a need to focus on the importance of providing preferable and satisfactory care to individuals that have limited independence and voice in healthcare reform.

References

Van Haitsma, Kimberly, Abbott, Katherine M. Heid, Allison R, Carpenter, Brian, Curyto, Kimberly, Kleban, Morton, Eshraghi, Karen, Duntzee, Christina I., Spector, Abby. (2014). The Consistency of Self-Reported Preferences for Everyday Living: Implications for person-centered Care Delivery. Journal of Gerontological Nursing. Vol 40, No. 10.