Discuss the link between the PICOT question, the research articles, and the nursing practice problem you identified. Include relevant details and supporting explanations and use that information to propose evidence-based practice changes.

Research Critique and PICOT Statement-Falls and Dementia

Dementia entails a group of signs and symptoms that reflect diminished cognitive function. The cognitive abilities affected are thought comprehension and reasoning. The loss of these abilities interferes with routine activities conducted by the affected population. Older patients with dementia are prone to falls. This has been attributed to forgetfulness and unawareness of their surroundings. It is a significant clinical problem because it causes regular physical harm. This paper provides a critical appraisal of quantitative and qualitative research articles, provides a revision of my PICOT question, and proposes evidence-based practice change.

Nursing Practice Problem and PICOT Question

My nursing practice problem is falls and dementia. My PICOT question: For patients who suffer from dementia-related falls, does screening for prior history of falls, age, and visuospatial ability compared to screening for cognitive impairment level help predict and prevent subsequent falls over six months?

P: Patients who suffer from dementia-related falls

I: Screening for prior history of falls, age, and visuospatial ability

C: Screening for a cognitive impairment level

O: Predict and prevent subsequent falls

T: Six months

Background of Studies

Zhang et al. (2019) and Mehdizadeh et al. (2021) authored the two qualitative articles. According to Zhang et al. (2019) their study aims to conduct a literature review and develop a framework to guide fall prevention in older persons with dementia. The objective is to conduct a literature review and create a framework to drive programs to prevent falls in the target population. Two research questions can be formulated. The first question is: what is the impact of gait and cognitive impairment on falls among dementia patients? The second question: what are the risk factors for falls in older adults with dementia? The article’s relevance to nursing practice is underpinned by its research questions. Knowledge from the study will enable nursing personnel to emphasize gait and cognition when dealing with older adults with dementia. Nursing personnel can develop theoretical guidelines to help prevent falls in dementia patients.

The article by Mehdizadeh et al. (2021) focuses on predicting short-term factors that predispose a population with dementia to falls. Prior history of falls and the gait of participants are key risk factors for falls among people with dementia. The purpose of the study is to create a predictive model to identify the likelihood of short-term falls in the elderly with dementia. The study aims to identify factors likely to cause falls within thirty days in patients with dementia. The research question: What are the short-term risk predictors of falls in older adults with dementia? The study is relevant to nursing practice because it identifies factors likely to cause falls within thirty days in the target population. This can be used to formulate preventive measures for falls.

Oki et al. (2021) and Sharma et al. (2018) authored the two quantitative articles. According to Oki et al. (2021), the study aims to determine the main risk factors for falls in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The study’s objective is to identify the impact of three risk factors for falls in Alzheimer’s patients with a fall history versus those without a fall history. Three research questions arise from the study. The first question: how does balance contribute to falls in patients with Alzheimer’s disease? Subsequently, the second question: what is cognition’s impact on falls in patients with Alzheimer’s disease? The third question: how does the visuospatial ability impact fall in people with Alzheimer’s disease? These research questions demonstrate the significance of the study to nursing practice. These results will enable nursing personnel to focus on the key indicators of falls and their mitigation strategies. This will help to reduce subsequent incidences of falls in the target population.

According to Sharma et al. (2018), the study aims to investigate the predictors of falls and associated fractures in patients with dementia. The objective is to conduct a representative cohort study and identify indicators of falls and fractures in patients with dementia. The research question: among patients with dementia, what are the predictors of falls and related fractures? Nursing practice will benefit abundantly from the results of this study. Information from the survey will enable nursing personnel to establish a framework for preventing falls in patients with dementia. Besides, it will allow them to educate patients’ caregivers and relatives on the predictors of falls. This will lead to a signif