In late 2019, there was an outbreak of novel pandemic, COVID 19, which spread widely all over the world causing a myriad of deaths (WHO, 2019). This brought up the question on whether health systems were prepared for such pandemic and how it affected health workers. Therefore, this paper focuses on Health system preparedness for COVID-19 and its impacts on frontline health care workers. This study will seek to answer the questions: What were the preparedness levels of health systems in handling COVID 19? How has health system preparedness affected frontline health workers?
This study will adopt phenomenological research method. This method is best suited for this study because its focus is on people’s experience (Swinton & Mowat, 2006). Since the study focuses on already lived experience (COVID 19) by health workers. The study might encounter the challenge of confidentiality and anonymity. To deal with this, the researcher will ensure no identifier is filled in the data collection tool. Also, to assure respondents that the information they provide will be used solely for academic purpose, a research permit and letter from the institution will be provided. Also, the quality of the study can be influenced by researchers’ bias; therefore, statistical sampling method will be used in selecting study sample to ensure representation.
This study could also adopt a case study research design (Cohen & Crabtree, 2006). In this method, the study will focus on specific areas like a specific hospital, region, or country. Unlike other methods, using a case study allows collection of details resulting in richer and deeper data. Also, this design allows experiments to be conducted and new ideas can be adopted leading to new hypothesis that can be tested. However, the findings from a case study are limited to the selected case and therefore cannot be generalized. In addition, it is a challenge to determine cause/effect in case studies.
References
Cohen D, & Crabtree B. (2006). Qualitative research guidelines project. Retrieved from http://www.qualres.org/HomeSemi-3629.html.
Swinton J, & Mowat H. (2006). Practical theology and qualitative research. SCM Press; London, UK.
World Health Organization. (2019). Global COVID 19 report 2019. World Health Organization. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/329368.
Great post Axel. I think the Covid topic is going to be a main topic used for research in many years to come. I like your research
questions. I don’t think anyone was prepared for this type of pandemic. I think it would be great to do research about how the preparedness affected the frontline healthcare workers. I remember doing drill after drill in the emergency room to prepare for large occurrences such as multiple causalities from a plane wreck or how to handle patients when they have been exposed to toxic matter. I don’t think anyone was prepared for the Covid pandemic.
I think that the phenomenological research method is a good choice. Using this method, the researcher does not express their values or opinions towards the research and examines how the phenomenon affects the participants instead of how the researcher perceives the phenomenon and this is called bracketing (Elkatawneh, 2016). There are so many opinions and ideas around the Covid topic. Would you have a hard time not expressing your thoughts when performing the research?
Elkatawneh, H. H. (2016). The five qualitative approaches: Problem, purpose, and
questions/The role theory in the five qualitative approaches/Comparative case study.
SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2761327
Sample Answer 2 for NURS 8200 Discussion: Formulating a Qualitative Research Study
Selection of qualitative research topic and research question(s)
In nursing practice, several issues that need to be investigated may require qualitative or quantitative research. In this discussion, I have selected the topic of stress among mental healthcare nurses. Particularly, the qualitative research will address the questions “among nurses working in mental healthcare unit, what is the cause of stress? What is the relationship between stress and healthcare outcomes in the mental healthcare unit? This study will examine the cause of the relationship between stress and factors that cause it and consequently, propose a strategy to prevent stress in the mental healthcare unit.
Research Methodology
Based on the above research topic of stress and causative agents, the proposed methodology for gathering data would be a one-on-one interview. The method entails a personal interview that is conducted with one respondent at a time. The reason for using one-on-one interview is because different people have different causes of stress and therefore, the one-one-one interview will give an opportunity to get details of factors from different respondents (Jamshed, 2014). Conducting in-depth interviews face to face will also give the researcher a better opportunity to read the body language of the participants and match the responses (Borcsa & Willig, 2021).
The challenges of conducting one-one-one interview
The first possible challenge in conducting one-on-one interviews is time constraints. In most cases, a one-on-one interview requires enough to engage each participant. The nurses may also not have time to take part in the one-one-one interview because of their workload. The challenge is based on interview fatigue (Jamshed, 2014).
The strengths and weaknesses one-one-one interview
As a qualitative research method, the one-on-one interview has the strength of providing a great opportunity for the researcher to gather precise data about what participants experience and believe. The second strength is that the researcher can guide the respondents to collect meaningful data. With an in-depth interview, there is a better opportunity to read and comprehend the body language of the respondents which in turn improves the quality of data collected. Furthermore, interviews can be used to get detailed data about the feelings, opinions, and perception of the participant about stress and thus, informing the intervention to be used (Jamshed, 2014).
However, interview as a qualitative research method has weaknesses in terms of cost. There is the cost of time, documentation for the interview, and traveling expenses. The speed and efficiency of the data collection is also affected because one the participant is contacted at the time
Other the possible qualitative method that could be used to research
Other than an interview, the other possible qualitative research method that can be used to examine the causes of stress in the mental healthcare unit is a focus group. By description, focus group refers to data collection that includes a limited number of participants such as 6 to 10 from within the target population (Gray, Grove & Sutherland, 2021). The goal of the focus group is to find answers such as what causes stress among mental healthcare workers and how does this affect their duty.
References
Borcsa, M., & Willig, C. (2021). Qualitative research methods in mental health: Innovative and collaborative approaches. Cham, Switzerland: Springer.
Gray, J.R., Grove, S.K., & Sutherland, S. (2021). Burns and Grove’s the practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (9th ed.). Saunders Elsevier
Jamshed, S. (2014). Qualitative research method-interviewing and observation. Journal of Basic and Clinical Pharmacy, 5, 4, 87-88.
Sample Answer 3 for NURS 8200 Discussion: Formulating a Qualitative Research Study
Summary of Selected Qualitative Research Topic
The research topic of interest is the effects of mental health on family members. Mental health is viewed as very important to the extent that DeFehr (2020), points out that even referral to mental health services is by itself an intervention The methodology of choice for discussion is the phenomenology approach which has gained popularity over the years. In qualitative research, it is usually used in social and health sciences. The question that would be addressed in this research would be; What are the experiences of family members with a member with serious mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar who refuses to take medicine due to fear of side effects?
Possible Challenges Encountered in Mental Health Research Project
Participants in mental health are vulnerable adults and at times without the ability to sign the needed consent to be able to actively participate in the study. They sometimes need a guardian or representative to act on their behalf. This appointed person may not be comfortable signing any required documentation on behalf of the participants. According to Allbutt & Masters (2010), a study has to be ethical in context design and purpose in mental health research.
Other challenges that involve research in mental health is ethically involving participants who have mental challenges, fear of participants being stigmatized or discriminated against. The presence of the pandemic has added to the challenges that already exist for research to be done. According to Choudhury & Ghosh (2020), research during the pandemic has defaulted to online approaches.
There are privacy concerns and breaches of confidentiality when video-meeting platforms are used as opposed to face-to-face meetings in a private area. The use of double-encryption emails would assist in privacy but the participants in the research may not have accessible email addresses. This would lead to research findings being questionable for credibility.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Selected Research Method
Phenomenology is one form of qualitative research with a focus on the study of experiences of life on earth. Other methods are ethnography, case study research, and grounded theory. The use of phenomenology includes but is not limited to various approaches. These are interviews that are detailed with open-ended questions, observations of the participants in the study, and various workshops.
There are known strengths associated with phenomenology. The root cause analysis of different experiences can be identified. There is a deep understanding of knowing why people behave and act in a specific manner clarifying deeply held assumptions that could be erroneous. This method can lead to progress in terms of making new changes that affect policies and how people act.
There are also limitations associated with phenomenology. Depending on the type of questions asked some responses may mirror personal views as opposed to lived experiences. There are barriers to communication and some of the participants may be limited in the articulation of their experiences due to cognition, age, language, or a choice to try not to relive some bad experiences. Phenomenology can be expensive in times of resources of time and money. The results of the research may not be easily used to the generalized population.
One Other Qualitative Method
The qualitative method is ethnography. This approach focuses on the cultural aspect or how an event is perceived culturally. In the study question of how family members culturally perceive mental illness. It would assist in identifying how cultural group functions and rules guide behaviors. There are different steps that would be followed when researching mental illness in a specified cultural group. This includes describing the culture, developing theories, getting a baseline by reviewing current literature, and being able to fit in the ways of the specific cultural group.
There are advantages of using ethnography. Cultural awareness is one of the greatest assets towards harmonious living. Having an insight into the culture leads to respect and knowledge of how to have appropriate responses to different settings that may have been unfamiliar.
There are many limitations associated with ethnography. These include possible biases due to the researcher having their own culture that may be different from the participants involved in the study. With culture, it may be unique to a specific group of people and the findings may not be useful with a larger population.
References
Allbutt, H., & Masters, H. (2010). Ethnography and the ethics of undertaking research in different mental healthcare settings. Journal of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing, 17(3), 210-215. DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2850.2009.01493.x
Bag, B. (2021). Empiric Ethics Views in Mental Health and Psychiatric Care. Current Approaches in Psychiatry / Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar, 13(2), 247–260. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.18863/pgy.760158
Choudhury, S., & Ghosh, A. (2020). Ethical Considerations of Mental Health Research Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic: Mitigating the Challenges. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 42(4), 379–381. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1177/0253717620929097
DeFehr, J. N. (2020). “Voluntarily, Knowingly, and Intelligently”: Protecting Informed Consent in School-Based Mental Health Referrals. Brock Education: A Journal of Educational Research and Practice, 29(1), 7–24.
Sample Answer 4 for NURS 8200 Discussion: Formulating a Qualitative Research Study
This is insightful. The research topic selected is critical given the rise in mental health problems across the world. Many people of all ages are experiencing serious mental health problems due to varied reasons. The study of mental health can take different approaches depending on the methodology that has been chosen. The qualitative approach is critical in analyzing different approaches as well as outcomes that have been applied by previous researchers. The methodology of choice for discussion is the phenomenology approach which has gained popularity over the years (Bag, 2021). Phenomenology refers to the study of structures of consciousness as experienced from the first-person point of view. In phenomenology, the central structure or focus of an experience relies on the study’s intentionality that is being directed towards something; the approach is commonly applied in the social and health sciences to determine effective outcomes in the study process (Aditya et al., 2019).
In the research process, there is always the need for the respondents to sign consent to confirm their willingness to take part in the study process. Consent is always necessary, particularly when there is the need for the researcher to acquire information from the individuals selected in the research process. However, given that the patients involved in the study are mentally ill, they may not be able to sign consents. However, their representative or family members may be considered signing the consent (Qutoshi, 2018). Also, the confidentiality of information is necessary for the research process. After the acquisition of information, it is necessary for the researchers to take measures to protect data and other forms of information that have been obtained from the respondents. These approaches may also be considered to be ethical practices that are always considered in the research processes.
References
Aditya, R. S., Solikhah, F. K., & Kurniawan, S. B. (2019). Teenager response to the conditions of basic level emergency: A phenomenology study. http://repository-stikep.ddns.net:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/151
Bag, B. (2021). Empiric Ethics Views in Mental Health and Psychiatric Care. Current Approaches in Psychiatry / Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar, 13(2), 247–260. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.18863/pgy.760158
Qutoshi, S. B. (2018). Phenomenology: A philosophy and method of inquiry. Journal of Education and Educational Development, 5(1), 215-222. https://www.journals.iobmresearch.com/index.php/JoEED/article/view/2154