Research Proposal on Quality Care in Hospice Setting

Quality is one of the primary variables that professionals in varies fields must foster to ensure prosperity. However, achieving this height needs proper planning and execution of tasks as this should be the major responsibility of the management and employees. Nevertheless, in most hospice settings, quality care has been a serious problem (Arber, 2015). Quality care has remained problematic in a hospice setting despite the many efforts that are geared towards improving it (Friedman, 2014). This paper will assess the quality care in hospice settings. Major sections of this document will include research design and rationale, methodology, instrumentation, procedures for pilot studies, data analysis, and trustworthiness issues as well as ethical systems.

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Research Design and Rationale

Some of the questions that the research carried out were supposed to answer include how qualified the staff responsible for the provision of care was (Bradley & Wanklyn, 2015). Some of the possible factors that could be affecting the quality of attention in the settings and strategies that could be taken to improve the overall care in the setting (Burleson & Tripathi, 2012). There has been an increase in the number of patients admitted with severe health conditions. The care provided in hospice settings is in most cases challenged as shown by some pointers (Leemans et al., 2016). The care provided has failed to meet the needs of their patients.

The tradition used in this research is a case study approach. Case study approach was an appropriate method because it offers insights which cannot be achieved by any other approach (Edsall & Strawbridge, 2015). Case studies have proved to be the best tools that can be used at the preliminary as well as the exploratory stages as a basis employed in the development of a well-structured tool that is useful in surveys (Li, 2014). This method was also appropriate as the appropriate behaviors portrayed by the care providers could not be manipulated in any manner. A variety of evidence was offered from different sources.

Role of the Researcher

My role in the research was to observe as a participant. Observer-participant enables the researcher to take part in the ongoing activities as he notes the observations. It provides an extension beyond observations that can be naturally done because the observer is also involved in the action. The health care providers were supervised by the researcher (Kharchenko, et al., 2016). The researcher may select individuals that are most likely expected to provide his desired results. The researcher may establish some beliefs and thus make use of the information given by the respondents in confirming his beliefs. This research was carried out in the investigators working environment. Ethical issues in this research were conflicts of interest. Researchers have expected forms containing their financial details at the time when they are submitting their proposals.

Methodology

The simple random sampling strategy was used (Gastaldi & Gola, 2015). A group of the care providers was selected for study from the entire group in the hospice setting. All the individuals were chosen by chance. Each member in hospice setting had equal chances of being included in the sample. The criterion that was used in the taking of simple random samples was that each of individual that was selected to take part had to be chosen with no biases. There room for making errors and in most cases; it is represented by a variance of either a minus or a plus. Using simple sampling strategy, the first subject that is supposed to be surveyed is chosen, and this can be done by either selecting a care provider whose name appears third alphabetically or any other method that can be appropriate. The sampling method is akin of a lottery as the chosen members do not come from the first ten but instead they are picked randomly from the entire population of the hospice setting. Biasness is avoided as the researcher is not aware of the individuals that are to be surveyed. A broad cross-section was selected for this research (Mallinson, Childs, & Van Herk, 2013). A broad cross-section is appropriate as it helps in increasing the level of accuracy on the information that is collected. Saturation affects the size of the sample.

Instrumentation

The first instrument is an observation sheet. The researcher takes a lengthy and an explanatory note of the activities taking place in the setting. It offers a good flavor of what is happening and can thus be used in designing the remaining part of the research (Lynn, 2015). Reliable information may be obtained on some of the things. The researcher will be required to study people as well as the environment in a hospice setting. Another instrument used is interview protocols; this can be obtained from research interviews (Daniel & Anton, 2015). Interviews provide researchers with qualitative data that is very detailed. Another tool archived data; this was obtained from file documents, electronic messages and possibly old database records. Audio tapes were also used (Fujimoto, Nagai, Okazaki, Kawajiri, & Tomiwa, 2014). Audio tapes were obtained from federal agencies. Audio tapes have a unique dimension that will never be replaced by written words (Sun et al., 2013). These records are well preserved more so when they are made by contractors that are highly qualified; they may sometimes be stored in archives.

Researcher Developed Instruments

The validity of the content obtained was established by matching the test questions with the content which was intended to be assessed (Brod, Pohlman, & Tesler Waldman, 2014). Experts in the hospice setting were used in judging the validity of the content. For instance, the content of the quality in the environment was established by a committee made up of experts so as to ensure the test covered all the matches which were relevant in its discipline (Smith, 2014). The strategy was essential since it made it possible to determine the exact and viable alternatives that can be used to realize the expected standards. Nevertheless, it is necessary to note that even if the validity of content has been assured, it is the responsibility of the experts to ensure that all the necessary precautions have been taken to guarantee the expected results.

Pilot Studies

Pilot studies are normally done to determine the possible outcomes of a particular activity. The researchers can determine if the perceived assertion is true or false by the application of a pilot study. In fact, administering of the survey into a small group of respondents is a good way of making progress with the pilot studies. A pilot study that is designed appropriately can inform the researcher on the process used in carrying out the research as well as the possible outcomes (Jalan, 2015). Data used in this study was obtained from workers in the hospice setting. Data was collected by the researcher who was also the leader in the hospice setting; this was done on a daily basis. Data obtained was recorded in observation sheets.

In the pilot study, trial participants were recruited from two hospice settings. Recruitment staff provided room for eligible participation which was either done at the site or through a telephone (Barthelemy, Grunert, & Henderson, 2013). Participants were allowed to provide informed agreement through secured online databases or written form. Participants were also randomized to ensure proper concealment of allocations.

Trustworthiness

One of the most important criteria that are addressed by most researchers is that they ensure there is internal validity whereby they seek in providing their studies tests the intended purpose only. One of the methods used in providing credibility is triangulation whereby many methods are used such as observation, interviews which in the end form a primary basis for the collection of data (Bushor, & Rowser, 2015). A wider range of informants may also be used. Dependability in addressing the issue of reliability, if work is continuously repeated in a similar context employing the same methods as well as using the same participants there is an expectation of obtaining similar results. The concept of confirmability is a concern raised by a qualitative investigator when making comparisons to the objectivity. A detailed methodological description will enable the reader to understand and come up with a determination of how far the data constructs that may be emerging are accepted.

Ethical Procedures

In every activity, it is essential to ensure that the necessary ethical practices have been taken into consideration for it to be accepted in the society. Otherwise the possibility of resistance from both the government and the public will be high, meaning that the possibility of failure will increase. People need not be afraid that research carried on them is not ethical. If there are no participants, it may be difficult to develop new medicines as well as new treatments. Research involving humans need to be regulated (Moodley, 2013). Each procedure carried out needs to be approved by the protocol. Some of the applicable regulations may include the researchers adhering to research etiquettes which have been approved by IRB. The researchers will also be required to provide proper documentation as well as records. Before any changes are initiated approvals, need to be obtained. Investigators that are carrying out a research study with individual as a subject need to have an entire responsibility which will ensure the consent of participation has been freely given and its basis are on having a clear understanding of the risks as well as benefits.

Summary

Case study approach is the best method to use when carrying out a research because it offers insights which have not been provided by any other approach used in research. Biases need to be avoided during data collection to ensure research carried out is of a high quality. Individuals used as samples in an analysis need to be given appropriate protection by following established regulations. If the researchers will have to follow the prescribed guidelines, it will be possible for them to achieve the expected results in time, meaning that efficiency is automatically enhanced. Overall, it is necessary to conduct preliminary analysis and this includes the use of pilot studies.

References

Arber, A. (2015). Team Communication in the Hospice Setting. Textbook of Palliative Care Communication, 340-345. doi:10.1093/med/9780190201708.003.0041

Barthelemy, R. S., Grunert, M. L., & Henderson, C. R. (2013). The graduate research field choice of women in academic physics and astronomy: A pilot study. doi:10.1063/1.4789653

Bradley, R., & Wanklyn, S. (2015). P-112 Developing pharmacy services at st joseph's hospice. a quality improvement programme. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 5(Suppl 3), A40.1-A40. doi:10.1136/bmjspcare-2015-001026.112

Brod, M., Pohlman, B., & Tesler Waldman, L. (2014). Qualitative Research and Content Validity. Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research, 5257-5265. doi:10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_3848

Burleson, W., & Tripathi, P. (2012). Mining Creativity Research to Inform Design Rationale in Open Source Communities. Creativity and Rationale, 353-376. doi:10.1007/978-1-4471-4111-2_17

Bushor, L., & Rowser, M. (2015). Symptom Management of Chronic Illness in the Adult Outpatient Setting. Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing, 17(4), 285-290.

Daniel Anton, F., & Anton, S. (2015). A proposal for electronic patient clinical observation sheet. 2015 E-Health and Bioengineering Conference (EHB). doi:10.1109/ehb.2015.7391444

Edsall, B., & Strawbridge, J. R. (2015). The Songs we Used to Sing? Hymn 'Traditions' and Reception in Pauline Lette...