Understanding Qualitative Research Through Critical Analysis- A Review of Two Key Studies Background of Study
According to Zhang et al. (2019), the purpose of their study is 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 develop a framework to guide programs aimed at preventing falls in the target population. Three research questions can be formulated based on the purpose and objective of the study. 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 elderly people 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 guide the prevention of these falls based on the researcher’s findings.
The second qualitative research article is authored by Mehdizadeh et al. (2021). This research article focuses on the prediction of 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 two factors are independent of the environment of an individual. The risk factors cause falls in residential homes, nursing homes, and hospitals.
According to Mehdizadeh et al. (2021), the purpose of their study is to create a predictive model to identify the likelihood of short-term falls in the elderly with dementia. The objective of the study is to identify factors likely to cause falls within thirty days in patients with dementia. The research question arising from the study: What are the short-term risk predictors of falls in elderly people with dementia? This question helps to fulfill the purpose and objective of the study. 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 and minimize incidences of falls.
How the Articles Support the Nursing Practice Problem
My nursing practice problems are falls and dementia. The PICOT question: For dementia-related falls, does screening for prior history of falls, age, and visuospatial ability compared to screening for cognitive impairment level help to predict and prevent subsequent lifelong falls? The two articles are relevant and will be used to answer the PICOT question.
According to Zhang et al. (2019), the risk factors for falls in people with dementia are diverse. The previous history of falls, vision, medical factors, and psychological factors are identified as risk factors for falls. Antihypertensives, depression, balance, and individual motor planning were identified as specific factors. Cognition can lead to falls because it is involved with attention, motor activity, and executive functions (Zhang et al., 2019). Conditions that interfere with a person’s gait predispose them to falls. These disorders are stratified based on their severity. The researchers reported that cognition and gait are related, and both are key etiological factors of falls. The two factors can adequately explain the occurrence of falls in older patients with dementia.
Results from the research article by Mehdizadeh et al. (2021) indicated that balance and fall history are key risk factors for falls. Furthermore, close monitoring of gait stability helps to predict the risk of falls. Similar results were reported by Oki et al. (2021), who identify balance and vision as predictors of fall probability. Therefore, the two articles provide evidence that vision, history of falls, and balance mostly affected by age are key predictors of falls. The article by Zhang et al. (2019) identified cognition as a risk factor for falls. Similar studies by Oki et al. (2021) failed to find a strong correlation between cognition and falls.
The authors of both articles propose various interventions based on the risk factors identified. Mehdizadeh et al. (2021) report that assessing for balance and vision is key. Zhang et al. (2019) identified several predisposing factors, including gait and cognition. These interventions are similar to those identified in the PICOT question. The study by Oki et al. (2021) uses a comparison group of cognitive impairment. A similar comparison group is used in the PICOT question.
Method of Study
Zhang et al. (2019) used a narrative review study, whereas Mehdizadeh et al. (2021) used a prospective observational study. The narrative review study involved a thorough analysis of the literature. Literature was sourced from systematic reviews and other studies. Data obtained from the literature was used to estab