Diagnostic Radiography Article Critique - Essay Example

?Article Critique (Diagnostic Radiography) Introduction Article critiques are important tools for the improvement of medical and health practice. It is a means of reviewing clinical practices and evaluating their impact on patients and favourable health outcomes. This paper shall critique the article, ‘Breast cancer knowledge among women with intellectual disabilities and their experiences of receiving breast mammography’ by Maria Truesdale-Kennedy, Laurence Taggart and Sonja McIlfatrick. Critical Appraisal First of all, the article’s title reflects the contents of the research. In reviewing the title, the essential elements of research which provide complete details on the content of the research are easily apparent. The reader is able to immediately understand what the research topic and purpose is (Caldlaw, Henshaw, and Taylor, 2005). The title is also short enough to easily be readable and long enough to contain the essential titular elements. The authors of this paper have a credible academic background in the graduate and post-graduate fields of nursing. They are also affiliated with the academe and the clinical practice, and this quality has allowed them to gain the necessary background and expertise in their clinical and academic practice. They have also published researches and articles related to the journal subject of this critique. The abstract clearly summarizes the key elements of the research, from the research problem to the conclusion. These elements provide a summary of the paper, highlighting its important parts and details which help express to the reader what the research is all about (Caldlaw, et.al., 2005). The purpose or rationale of the study has been outlined and detailed by the researchers in the introductory portion of the paper. Their rationale allowed them to trace the average life expectancy of women and the experiences of women with disabilities on receiving breast mammographies. The literature review includes similar studies which help establish the trends of mammography practices, especially among women with disabilities. This review establishes a possible glimpse into the current research and knowledge which already exist on the subject matter. The research would however have benefitted with the inclusion of more studies to help provide basis for the current research (Polit and Hungler, 1999). Moreover, some of the studies included were not up-to-date, as some studies dated beyond 10 years. Up-to-date studies help ensure that the information being included in the review is still very much relevant to the current trends in the practice (Daymon and Holloway, 2002). The aim of the research is clearly and logically stated by the researchers in a separate and clearly identified heading in the paper. It is logical and rationally flows from the background information laid out on the subject matter. The methodology of research has also been identified by the researchers. The method was justified by the authors, citing the fact that due to the exploratory nature of the subject matter, the qualitative research was the better method of research to apply (Truesdale-Kennedy, Taggart, and McIlfatrick, 2010). The selection of the participants were outlined and identified by the researchers. No random selection method was made as participants were purposely chosen from a list of women meeting the inclusion criteria. This method of selecting participants is common in qualitative studies where the target sample population is usually small and easily manageable (Ritchie and Lewis, 2003). The number of respondents is small enough for one-on-one and in-depth lengthy interviews. These types of interviews are usually impractical for quantitative studies where the sample population is high. Although a more in-depth data gathering process can be carried out with each respondent, the results gained from this study cannot be generalized to a larger population (Ritchie and Lewis, 2003). This is a common disadvantage of qualitative studies. The data collection method is also auditable and replicable as the researchers detailed their data collection process and provided enough information for other researchers and for the ethics committee to review their data collection process (Lawson, 2010). As with one-on-one semi-structured interviews however, there are aspects of the data collection process which are difficult for other researchers to verify, especially those which pertain to the compliance of ethical requirements for research (Lawson, 2010). Nevertheless, the researchers detailed compliance with these ethical requirements by providing essential details of these processes in their study. The overall study does make sense. There is a logical flow of ideas from sentence to sentence, and from paragraph to paragraph. Transitions are apparent for each paragraph, providing linkages in the ideas and ensuring that the reader would be able to follow the flow of ideas and the conclusions drawn from the ideas and from the data collected. The conclusions are strongly supported by the results established and discussed (Zeiger, 2000). No logical fallacies are apparent and no gaps in the conclusions are seen from the research. The conclusions drawn are also based on the issues or questions raised at the beginning of the research. From the research problem, the questionnaire was drawn and it helped provide a logical and well-supported conclusion for the study (Zeiger, 2000). Multiple data sources were not adequately utilized in this research as the data sources were mostly from the interviews of the respondents. Nevertheless, these data were evaluated, checked, re-checked in relation to recordings and then verified by the respondents themselves (Caldwell, et.al., 2005). This process allowed the themes of the study to emerge from multiple sources based on each woman’s contribution as well as the research team’s assessment of the data. The credibility of the data sources was ensured with a second author checking the themes for accuracy; agreements on disparities of these themes were finalized through the definitions made on each theme (Caldwell, et.al., 2005). The interpretations made by the authors are very much consistent with the evidence presented. The interpretation of the data highlights the fact that the respondents’ knowledge about breast cancer was very much limited and the sources of their information mostly came from carers or nursing staff. Although they expressed favourable attitudes about their experiences during their mammography, they also expressed unfavourable feelings of anxiety, mostly due to the lack of understanding about the screening process (Truesdale-Kennedy, et.al., 2010). Their lack of information and their embarrassment was also seen as barriers in the screening of the respondents. These results were also similar to the evidence presented in the literature review; and the interpretations came from the actual answers expressed by the respondents. The reader’s own experience also matches the interpretation of the data. The research is very much useful because it highlights the fact that there are gaps in the knowledge about breast cancer and related diagnostic studies as far as women with intellectual disabilities are concerned (Truesdale-Kennedy, et.al., 2010). And these gaps represent failures in the health system, ones which prevent these women from seeking the appropriate health measures they need in order to ensure their well-being. The research establishes possible improvements which the health authorities can make in order to improve the delivery of health services, especially to women with intellectual disabilities and a possible risk for breast cancer. Considering the fact that breast cancer is one of the top causes of mortality and morbidity among women, establishing firm evidence on the importance of breast mammography helps provide support for programs which seek to improve breast cancer detection processes, including programs which seek to educate women with intellectual disabilities on the dangers of breast cancer and the importance of screening measures (Yarbro, Wujnik, and Gobel, 2011). All in all, the research helps provide information on a topic which would otherwise have been mysterious or confusing. It helps clarify the source of confusion on breast mammography, especially among women who have intellectual disabilities (Truesdale-Kennedy, 2010). It also helps highlight the link between decreased rates of breast cancer and mammography, with emphasis on the role of early detection and preventive measures. The research findings are also worth paying attention to because they highlight the fact that the knowledge of women in relation to breast cancer, as well as its risks, and preventative signs and symptoms were very much limited (Truesdale-Kennedy, 2010). Limited knowledge about breast cancer is a significant problem in the effective management of breast cancer. The prognosis for cancer can be improved significantly if early detection measures are implemented (Yarbro, Wujnik, and Gobel, 2011). The fact that the women respondents in this case have low compliance in relation to early detection measures places them at an even higher risk of being afflicted with cancer or any other chronic and preventable diseases (Yarbro, Wujnik, and Gobel, 2011). These findings help provide basis for programs which relate to early prevention and health education. This study provides first hand information from respondents themselves – information which relate to their personal experiences during the screening process. Embarrassment as a barrier to screening is a highly preventable barrier which, with adequate education for women can be eventually eliminated. These results imply that for as long as the respondents are educated about breast cancer and the importance of early detection and related screening processes, they may actually overcome their embarrassment and anxiety and make strong efforts towards complying with screening practices. For women with intellectual disabilities, the learning gaps may serve as a barrier towards understanding (Truesdale-Kennedy, 2010). This study establishes the importance of providing information to these respondents in an accessible forum or format, one which they can easily understand and relate to. The findings are dependable because although the number of respondents is a very minimal number, these findings are similar to the results and findings from studies cited in the literature review. The prior assumptions, experiences, and possible biases of the researchers did not appear to shape the findings. The manner of data collection, as well as the interpretation of themes and results followed an objective and ethical process which reduced, even eliminated any bias on the part of the researchers in the evaluation of data (Orb, Eisenhauer, and Wynaden, 2000). The findings as presented by the researchers were objectively drawn from the information gained from the respondents. The age and social class of the researchers was not revealed, but their gender and occupation was made apparent. These elements did not appear to affect the interpretation of the data. The appreciation of the result findings do not appear to be affected by the researchers’ age or their gender, nor do these results appear to be negatively influenced by the researchers’ economic status and occupation. However, since their occupation is very much relevant to the study, it served to assist them in the course of their research, providing a nursing viewpoint for the overall process. The emerging themes were reviewed not just by one researcher, but by a second one. This helped to maintain the validity and reliability of the themes, ensuring that these themes are objectively drawn from the respondents’ statements (Green and Thorogood, 2004). One researcher extracting themes from the respondents’ answers may be personally biased in his theme choices; however, a second researcher can help reduce this bias. In effect, a fresh and alternative prospect on themes may be ensured with two or more researchers working with each other in the extraction of themes and the evaluation of data. A wide range of participants’ perspectives were presented through the various themes presented. The themes covered the respondents’ understanding of cancer which relate to their knowledge, their signs and symptoms, their risk and protective factors as well as the sources of their awareness (Truesdale-Kennedy, et.al., 2010). Their experiences with mammography were also reviewed in terms of their fear, pain, discomfort, as well as their positive experiences, and support from carers and nurses. The perceived barriers to attendance were also explored including the embarrassment and lack of information. Finally, their perceived solutions to barriers, including health promotion and education were also presented as themes which were reviewed for this research (Truesdale-Kennedy, et.al., 2010). In effect, there is a broad viewpoint presented by this research as a whole. The sample of people chosen was also representative of the prospective individuals affected by this research topic. Women have a high incidence of breast cancer, and some women with intellectual disabilities may not be able understand the implications of preventive screening in relation to cancer. The sample represents the population of women who have a high probability of suffering from breast cancer, and who may need assistance in understanding their disease and the importance and benefits of prevention and early screening. Reference Caldwell, K., Henshaw, L., & Taylor, G. 2005, Developing a framework for critiquing health research, Journal of Health, Social and Environmental Issues, vol. 6(1), pp. 45-54. Daymon, C., & Holloway, I. 2002, Qualitative research methods in public relations and marketing communications, London: Routledge. Green, J. & Thorogood, N. 2004, Qualitative methods for health research, London: Sage. Lawson, S. 2010, Critical appraisal of qualitative research, Research & Learning Support, viewed 04 January 2011 from http://www.kcl.ac.uk/library/nhs/training/qualitative.pdf Orb, A., Eisenhauer, L., Wynaden, D. 2000, Ethics in Qualitative Research, Journal of Nursing Scholarship, vol. 33(1), pp. 93-96. Polit, D. F. & Hungler, B. P. 1999, Nursing research, Principles and methods (6th Ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott. Ritchie, J. & Lewis, J. 2003, Qualitative research practice: a guide for social science students and researchers, London: SAGE. Seale, C. 2004, Qualitative research practice, London: SAGE. Truesdale-Kennedy, M., Taggart, L., & McIlfatrick, S. 2010, Breast cancer knowledge among women with intellectual disabilities and their experiences of receiving breast mammography, Journal of Advanced Nursing, pp. 1-11 Yarbro, C., Wujnik, D., & Gobel, B. 2011, Cancer nursing: principles and practice, London: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Zeiger, M. 2000, Essentials of writing biomedical research papers, London: McGraw-Hill Professional. Reference Read More