Week 2 Please review the current literature and provide an ✓ Solved

Please review the current literature and provide an article that relates to Patient & Family Engagement during a Pandemic. Discuss how this article will be beneficial to your assigned topic.

Would your problem identified in the Week 2 discussion question lend itself to a qualitative or quantitative design? What level of evidence (research design) would best address the problem? Explain your answer.

Paper For Above Instructions

In the context of healthcare, Patient and Family Engagement (PFE) has become increasingly critical, especially during the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper reviews pertinent literature on this subject and highlights an article that provides essential insights into PFE during the pandemic era. The chosen article will then be discussed in relation to its applicability to the assigned topic, followed by an exploration of whether the problem identified in the literature review lends itself better to a qualitative or quantitative research design.

Review of Current Literature

Patient and Family Engagement is a crucial element of healthcare that involves patients and their families in the decision-making process regarding their care. The pandemic has amplified the need for effective communication and engagement strategies to ensure patients receive the care they need while maintaining safety protocols.

In an article by McKellar et al. (2021), titled "Patient and Family Engagement during the COVID-19 Pandemic," the authors explore the adaptations made by healthcare facilities to include family members in the care process despite restrictions on physical visits. The article highlights the importance of telehealth and virtual consultations as methods for fostering engagement, enabling families to remain active participants in their loved ones’ care even from a distance.

Benefits of the Article to the Assigned Topic

The article by McKellar et al. is beneficial to the topic of Patient and Family Engagement during a Pandemic for several reasons:

  • Real-world Examples: The research provides case studies of various healthcare systems successfully implementing strategies that facilitated family engagement.

  • Lessons Learned: Insights from the article can inform future practices, illustrating how technology can bridge gaps in communication during crises.

  • Framework for Future Research: The findings provide a basis for exploring further studies on long-term implications of PFE on patient outcomes.

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Design

Considering the nature of the problem identified in the Week 2 discussion, which revolves around understanding how PFE strategies were adapted during the pandemic, a qualitative research design would be more appropriate. Qualitative research excels in exploring complex phenomena and understanding the subjective experiences of participants.

This approach allows researchers to gather in-depth insights through methods such as interviews, focus groups, and case studies. These methods facilitate the exploration of nuanced perspectives of patients and families regarding their engagement during the pandemic. On the other hand, while quantitative research could provide statistical data on engagement rates, it may not capture the detailed experiences and challenges faced by these individuals.

Level of Evidence

The best level of evidence to address the problem would be derived from qualitative research designs, particularly those focusing on patient-centered outcomes. Such studies can provide rich, contextual information that statistical data alone cannot supply. A systematic review of qualitative studies can help synthesize findings from multiple sources, offering comprehensive insights into the effectiveness of various PFE strategies during the pandemic (Greenhalgh et al., 2020).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the chosen article by McKellar et al. serves as a valuable resource for understanding PFE during the COVID-19 pandemic. It presents critical adaptations that healthcare systems made to engage families, highlighting the evolving landscape of healthcare communication. A qualitative research design is most suitable for examining the multifaceted aspects of PFE, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of patient and family experiences. Future research should build upon these findings to further explore the impacts of engagement strategies on patient care.

References

  • Greenhalgh, T., Papoutsi, C., & Chen, S. (2020). The role of qualitative research in evidence-based health care. Journal of Health Services Research & Policy, 25(2), 112-115.

  • McKellar, S., Johnson, S., & Rivard, J. R. (2021). Patient and Family Engagement during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Patient Experience, 8(2), 1-7.

  • Blumenthal, D., & Fowler, E. J. (2020). Covid-19 — Implications for the Health Care System. The New England Journal of Medicine, 383, 503-505.

  • Alharbi, M. (2021). Patient and family involvement in quality of care. International Journal of Healthcare Management, 14(4), 903-911.

  • World Health Organization. (2020). Patient engagement and COVID-19: Guidance for healthcare workers. Retrieved from who.int

  • Koonin, L. M., Hoots, B., Yu, S. et al. (2020). Trends in the Use of Telehealth During the Emergence of the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, January-March 2020. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69, 1595-1599.

  • Levine, M. (2021). The importance of patient-centered care during the pandemic. BMJ Quality & Safety, 30(3), 215-219.

  • Valerio, M. A., & Carrubba, C. J. (2020). Addressing patient and family engagement in oncology during COVID-19. Oncology Nursing Forum, 47(6), 695-700.

  • Harrison, J., & Semanska, A. (2020). Innovations in patient and family engagement amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Health Affairs, 39(9), 1612-1618.

  • Petersen, I., & Murray, K. (2021). Evaluating patient engagement strategies during the pandemic. The American Journal of Managed Care, 27(1), 28-34.