Running head: RESEARCH CRITIQUE ASSIGNMENT PART A

Part A: Written Critique of Patients and nurses perceptions of ward environmental factors and support systems in the care of suicidal patients. Dermot Connolly Stenberg College NURS 202-3 K. Bagshaw March 2013

RESEARCH CRITIQUE ASSIGNMENT PART A Brief Introduction For treatment of the suicidal patient to be effective, it is important that each member of the cross functional team works together to ensure their unique contributions have a positive effect in the promotion of the patients health and well being. (Sun et al 2006). From a comprehensive review of the literature into suicide, Sun et al determined that 41% of people who successfully committed suicide sought psychiatric treatment in the previous 12 months prior to their death. (Sun et al 2006). They determined that much of the current

research into suicidal nursing care concentrated on the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of nursing treatment instead of the quality of nursing interventions and ward environments being used to treat each suicidal patient. (Sun et al 2006). It was this perceived lack of information that prompted this qualitative investigation. Background The investigation concentrated on the nursing interventions and environmental conditions within the city of Kaosiung in South Taiwan. It was undertaken by Fan-Ko Sun, an assistant professor in the school of Nursing at the Tajen institute of technology with a doctorate in psychiatric nursing. Other contributors to the study include; Ann Long, a registered general and mental nurse with the University of Ulster and an honorary fellowship member, Jennifer Boore , a professor in the school of nursing at the University of Ulster and Lee-Ing Tsao, director of R&D and professor in the school of nursing at the Taipei college of nursing. (Sun et al 2006).

RESEARCH CRITIQUE ASSIGNMENT PART A Purpose The purpose of the investigation was to use a grounded theory approach to define a suicide nursing theory into environmental conditions and nursing interventions inside the psychiatric wards of Taiwan. (Sun et al 2006). Thesis The authors state their position quiet clearly where they feel that environmental factors and nursing interventions play an important role in the formation of a therapeutic relationship between nurses and their suicidal patients. They base this theory on the assumption that the

design of the psychiatric environmental and quality of nursing care plays an important role in the therapeutic environment for vulnerable patients and their families. A degree of bias is evident however where the Authors regularly reference other studies that appear to bolster and validate their findings, but no studies refuting their findings are presented, indicating that their theory is deemed infallible. (Sun et al 2006). Evidence The paper determines that increased nursing compassion and sensitivity into the patients perceived loss of privacy and control will enhance the standard of psychiatric nursing practice in Taiwan. The paper also determines that the collaboration of a cross functional team that includes the patient, plays an important role in the overall health of the suicidal patient. The authors propose that the formation of an affective therapeutic relationship is negatively impacted by the lack of nursing education, training and time constraints. This in turn can negatively impact the nursing care requirements of the suicidal patient. The authors validate their finding against other

RESEARCH CRITIQUE ASSIGNMENT PART A

investigations which on the surface, appear to bolster their findings. Creditability is lost however in the absence of any field data representing the opposing side of their argument. (Sun et al 2006). Refutation Bias is prevalent in the presentation of the authors findings. Several references are made to other studies that appear to carry and validate their theories assertions, yet no studies that refute their findings are presented. Bias is also evident through the unbalanced presentation of findings from their qualitative study. There was an opportunity for the authors to present both the positive and negative findings from their interactions with the nursing staff and suicidal patients, yet only their negative findings were represented. (Sun et al 2006). Appeal The authors use of the grounded theory approach to research their qualitative theory is commendable. Grounded theory is an intriguing and respected method of theory development in the absence of data or other studies, allowing the authors the freedom to define their theory based on data collected without distraction from other case studies. The sensitive tone of the paper is also noteworthy. It is apparent from the authors style of writing that they are advocating for the enhancement of the suicidal nursing care administered for the benefit of both the suicidal patient and nursing staff. (Sun et al 2006).

Brief Conclusion

RESEARCH CRITIQUE ASSIGNMENT PART A The authors conclude that the quality of nursing interventions and the psychiatric ward

environment impact the generation of a therapeutic relationship between nurse and patient. Their decision to use of the grounded theory approach achieve this conclusion is commendable given the absence of supporting field data. While the authors desire to gain insight into the impact psychiatric ward environment and nursing interventions play in the nursing care received by suicidal patients, the authors bias in the presentation of their findings is also evident. To this end, part B of this assignment will further critique the strengths and limitations of this qualitative study. (Sun et al 2006).

References:

RESEARCH CRITIQUE ASSIGNMENT PART A Sun, F., K., Long, A., Boore, J. & Tsao, L., I. (2006). Patients and nurses perceptions of ward environmental factors and support systems in the care of suicidal patients. Journal of clinical nursing. 83-92.