Haemodialysis Patients: Are They Satisfied with the Care They Receive - Research Proposal Example

Total Number of Words: 2,010 Research “An Investigation to Patients’ Satisfaction Who Are Receiving Haemodialysis” Introduction Haemodialysis is normally given to patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). When kidney fails to function, the human body is not able to remove the toxic wastes and excess water (National Kidney Federation, 2009). In the absence of dialysis, patients with kidney failure can lead to the untimely death of the patient. Patients suffering from ESRD are increasing year after year. For example: In UK, more than 3 million individuals are diagnosed with renal failure (Organ Donor Campaign, 2009). Because of the limited available kidney transplant, 20,000 individuals are going through dialysis. In general, patients with kidney failure are experiencing physical and emotional stress which could significantly affect their loss of self-confidence and the way they perceive life (National Kidney Federation, 2009). For this reason, it is necessary to provide extra care to patients who are receiving haemodialysis. In relation to the increasing number of individuals who are receiving haemodialysis, there is a strong need to determine whether or not those patients are satisfied with the care they are receiving from the health care professionals. Based on the gathered literature review and the research findings, it will be easier for health care professionals to determine the areas of care that needs to be improved in order to increase the satisfaction of haemodialysis patients. Research Aim The proposed research topic aims to determine the level of satisfaction that renal patients have with various aspects of the care provided by the Local General Hospital’s haemodialysis unit. In line with this, the research study result will be used to improve the health care services rendered to patients who are receiving haemodialysis from health care professionals who are currently working in hospitals. Research Aim / Question(s) / Hypothesis Research questions presented in this study will be used as a guide in going through the research paper. Since the research topic aims to investigate the satisfaction of patients who are receiving haemodialysis, the study will seek to determine whether or not the doctors and nurses are effective in terms of caring and communicating with patients at the Local General Hospital’s haemodialysis unit. Likewise, the study will determine whether or not the quality of care and operations at the dialysis centre offers services are equal or more than the global satisfaction ratings. In line with this, the treatment received by the patients, the process on how the health care professionals rate the health and mental status of the patients, the quality of staff’s behaviour, and complaints made by the patients to the hospital complaint office will be reviewed thoroughly. Using keen observational technique, the study will conclude whether or not the physical condition of the dialysis centre is appropriate for health care professionals to perform the actual haemodialysis treatment. Since the process of haemodialysis aims to clean the blood of the patients with kidney problem, it is essential for the health care professionals to keep the haemodialysis unit clean and free from infectious diseases. Likewise, access and transportation going to the Local General Hospital’s haemodialysis unit will also be critique. H0 = Patients receiving haemodialysis at the Local General Hospital’s haemodialysis unit are satisfied with the quality of care they receive from doctors and nurses. H1 = Doctors and nurses at the Local General Hospital’s haemodialysis unit are communicating well with the patients. H2 = The quality of care and operations at the dialysis centre offers services are equal or more than the global satisfaction ratings. H3 = The physical condition of the dialysis centre is appropriate for health care professionals to perform the actual haemodialysis treatment. Study Population, Sample and Sampling Method For the purpose of this research study, the census sampling method will be used. The total number of patients who will be invited to participate in the research study will be more or less 100 patients (n= ±100). Since the total number of patients who are receiving haemodialysis treatment at the Local General Hospital’s haemodialysis unit is relatively small, the sample population that will be used in the study will include all patients who are currently in a chronic haemodialysis program. In general, a smaller number than this used as a sample size may enclose dangers of misleading results. Homogeneity in the sample population of a research study is important in terms of avoiding mis-specified similarities with regards to the sample being tested (Nosofsky & Kantner, 2006). In line with this, there is a high homogeneity between this population and the critical variables on the study since all the elements affected by common conditions – end stage renal disease are under the same haemodialysis program. This group of patients also share the same team of care providers with similar approach and intervention methodologies. As part of the sampling method, statistical power analysis technique will be used in the research study. Using the said research sampling method; whether or not the final sample population (number of research respondents) is adequate in completing the proposed research study will be determined. When using the statistical power analysis method; the size of sample population is very much related to the “statistical power, effect size, and the significance level” of the research study (Abraham & Russell, 2008; Jones & Sommerlund, 2007). Basically, altering one of the three major functions could significantly affect the test result of the other two variables. In line with this, the size of sample population is crucial in terms of increasing the validity of the research study result. Regardless of the period the patients are receiving haemodialysis treatment at the Local General Hospital’s haemodialysis unit, the researcher will invite patients who are either currently receiving haemodialysis including those individuals who are currently in a chronic haemodialysis program. Since the proposed research study is focused on examining the patients’ satisfaction with the care and treatment they received from Local General Hospital’s haemodialysis unit, the research study will exclude patients with kidney failure who are receiving haemodialysis treatment from other health care institutions. Planning Research Access and Ethical Matters Planning Research Access One of the possible main concerns of the research respondents is the fear that their identity will be publicly disclosed to a third person. To make the research respondents become more confident that their identity will always be kept anonymous, the researcher will personally explain to each of the research respondent about the main purpose of the research study including the ethical considerations behind conducting the research study. As soon as the research respondents are all clear with regards to the main purpose and ethical considerations of the research study, all subjects will receive by hand a closed envelope containing the questionnaire along with an empty envelope and an explanatory letter during the time they will undergo haemodialysis session. Basically, the envelop contents will be explained to them and they will be asked to open it at their home, preferably on the following day, in order to avoid any possible unnecessary discomfort. Finally, they will be asked to return back the questionnaire closed in the provided envelope as soon as they complete it. For collection purposes a closed wooden poll-like box will be placed in the corridor just outside the unit where the potential respondents will through the envelopes. Ethical Considerations The Local General Hospital is government-owned hospital. For this reason, it is but ethical on the part of the researcher to seek approval to conduct a research study from the proper department of Ministry of Health before seeking official consent to conduct a research study from the hospital director(s) or administrator(s) including the person in-charge of the haemodialysis unit. The questionnaire design will be in such a way that the completion time will be set to the minimum time possible, written in plain and understandable language that will be physically easy to complete in order to avoid any possible discomforts and constrains to the potential participants considering that they are chronically ill persons. When dealing with the patients, the researcher is obliged to meet the highest research ethical considerations by respecting the research respondents’ right to privacy, dignity, integrity, and anonymity. Likewise, it is important to ensure that the research respondents do not feel intimidated or coerced. Prior to requesting the potential respondents to participate in the research survey, it is ethical to personally seek the approval of the patients who are qualified to participate in the research study. As part of seeking the patients’ approval, the researcher should explain the main purpose of the study. In line with this matter, the researcher has developed a cover page which will be attached on top of each of the survey forms the researcher has prepared for the study. (See Appendix I – Survey Questionnaire Cover Page on page 8) As mentioned earlier, the researcher will preserve the human rights of anonymity and confidentiality will be made. Thus, the explanatory letter will be anonymous and will not contain a signed consent form as it will disclose the recipients’ identity. Instead, it will stress out in the letter that the research participant will agree to return the questionnaire to the researcher and that the researcher will have the right to handle anonymously the provided information. In any part of the questionnaire or on the envelopes, no names will appear or ask for. In the case of low response rate, a reminding letter will be circulated to all the potential participants since it will not be possible to only address the non-participants as a way of encouraging them to respond. In case the chosen research respondent refuses to participate in the research study, it is but ethical for the researcher to respect the patients’ decision without any further question asked. It is unethical for the researcher to impose penalties or give patients who will refuse to participate in the research study with prejudicial treatment. In line with this, the researcher should always treat the patients who do not want to participate in the research study with the same treatment the researcher would give to those individuals who would willingly participate in the research survey study. Given that any of the selected research respondents would ask about the purpose of the research study, the researcher should answer the questions being asked politely. When it comes to evaluating the research study result, it is ethical for evaluators to serve not only the interest of the researcher but of the large society wherein the interest of the respondents are carefully taken into consideration (American Evaluation Association, 1994). This way, the evaluators could avoid having a bias conclusion. Appendix I – Survey Questionnaire Cover Page “An Investigation to Patients’ Satisfaction Who Are Receiving Haemodialysis” Dear Sir and Madam: As a _____ student at _______ University, I am currently undertaking a research project which aims to determine whether or not patients who are receiving haemodialysis at ____ are satisfied with the care they received from the health care professionals like doctors and nurses. The information which I am looking to source and analyze is the opinions and feelings of coming straight from haemodialysis patients. The information that you provide will be treated in the strictest confidentiality (both by the researcher and a second reader). In respect with the patients’ confidentiality, the research study result will not be released to any other bodies, the public or press in any way that it can be directly related to you. If for any reason you feel that you are unable to fill in the questionnaire or any of the questions, please advise me accordingly. If you wish to withdraw from the project at any time before or after you have filled in the questionnaire, please contact me and I will withdraw the research survey questionnaire you have filled out from the study without any pressure or questions asked. I hope you find completing the questionnaire enjoyable. Thank you for taking the time to assist me with this research study. If you have any queries or would like any further information about this project please contact me on XXX@yahoo.com.uk Thank you for your help. Student’s Name References Abraham, W., & Russell, D. (2008). Statistical power analysis in psychological research. Social and Personality Psychology Compass , 2(1), 283-301. American Evaluation Association. (1994) In Guiding Principles for Evaluators - New Directions for Evaluation (pp. 66: 19 - 26). Jones, A., & Sommerlund, B. (2007). A critical discussion of null hypothesis significance testing and statistical power analysis within psychological research. Nordic Psychology , 59(3), 223-230. National Kidney Federation. (2009). Retrieved November 21, 2009, from What is Kidney Failure?: http://www.kidney.org.uk/main/faqs.html#hd Nosofsky, R., & Kantner, J. (2006). Exemplar similarity, study list homogeneity,. Memory & Cognition , 34(1):112 - 124. Organ Donor Campaign. (2009). Retrieved November 21, 2009, from Renal Failure Statistics: http://www.organdonorcampaign.co.uk/Renal+Statistics/55/ Read More