Analysis of Three Journal Sources about Data Comparison on Diabetes - Literature review Example

Evaluation: Diabetes Introduction Diabetes is one of the most common chronic illnesses afflicting man. It has major life-threatening effects and its impact can severely compromise the quality of people’s lives. This paper shall present three journal sources of data comparison on diabetes. An evaluation method used in each study shall be presented including the construct of each study. A report on the results of each study including its overall conclusions shall also be presented. Body In the paper by Cochran and Conn (2010), the authors carried out a meta-analysis in order to quantify the impact of diabetes self-management training on the quality of life of adult diabetes patients. Based on Holland and Rees Frameworks for critiquing research articles, and this critique framework was able to generally evaluate the quality of the research (Oxford University Press, 2012). The research all in all is well written and complies with the general elements of a peer-reviewed and quality research. Its aims are timely and significant, and the research design applied is appropriate for the goals of the study (Oxford University Press, 2012). The methodology applied was valid and based on randomized methods of selection, as well as groupings for interventions. The method of processing and assessing the results were described in the methodology section with the statistical processes and analysis clearly presented in the findings. The methods were also explained with corresponding tables. The authors did not mention any approval process carried out by an Ethics Committee, nevertheless, the various studies included in the review indicated the application of informed consent measures and processes. This study indicated that people with diabetes who participated in the self-management programs were able to enjoy a better quality in their lives (Cochran and Conn, 2010). The study recommends that future treatments in diabetes management must also include quality of life measures in order to determine the overall condition of the patients (Cochran and Conn, 2010). The conclusions drawn by the authors are valid and are well supported throughout the course of the study with statistical results and tables. This study was able to establish the basic importance of self-management in diabetes and how it helps improve the quality of patient’s lives (Oxford University Press, 2012). In a similar study on diabetes self-management, King, et.al. (2010) considered the relationship between psychosocial and social-environmental elements in diabetes self-management and control. Based on the CASP tool or the Critical Assessment Skills Program, there was a clear statement of objectives of aims and objectives for this study, along with randomized processes which ensured the generalizability of results (NHS, 2006). The results were computed through appropriate statistical tools and analyzed based on variables and expected outcomes. The conclusions drawn were founded on appropriate evidence and tables presented within the study (NHS, 2006). They were justified and supported by numerical equivalents. The sample population is sufficient for the purposes of this research and the authors have sufficient expertise and academic as well as clinical background in diabetes care in order to adequately carry out the research (NHS, 2006). The interconnections between the variables were also specified by the authors. The limitations of the study were also specified by the authors and it was mostly related to the addition of variables on the measurement of patient outcomes. Additional variables on diabetes care and measures of life quality could have been added or incorporated by the researchers in order to ensure a more comprehensive and holistic research (NHS, 2006). The outcome measures were based on expected progressions of patients in their care, mostly in relation to the diabetes Self-Efficacy scale, as well as healthy eating and medication behaviors. The authors highlighted the importance to coordination between the patient and the health care team in the management of the disease (King, et.al., 2010). Lifestyle changes are also essential in order to the care of the patient; the support of the community and the environment is important in order to successfully implement lifestyle changes. By understanding the demographic, the psychosocial, as well as the multiple health risks present in a person, it is possible to improve compliance with these lifestyle changes (King, et.al., 2010). Moreover, the overall quality of the patient’s life would be improved, including his emotional and psychological coping and demeanor. There is a greater control of the environment and the person’s activities which can ensure patient-centered care (King, et.al., 2010). The Critical Assessment Skills Program was also applied in the paper by Glasgow, et.al. (2010) where the authors set out to evaluate the minimal and moderate support versions of internet-based diabetes self-management as compared to enhanced usual care condition. In evaluating this research, the CASP was able to establish that the authors applied randomized methods in choosing their samples and in assigning interventions for the patients (NHS, 2006). Appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria were also considered in order to establish an appropriate sample population for the study. The authors also explained and demonstrated the specific details of their methodology, allowing possible replication of the study in the future (NHS, 2006). The results were also based on statistical computations which were specifically described and related to the variables within the text. The limitations of the study were also specified and improvements for future studies were indicated by the authors (NHS, 2006). The conclusions drawn were based on a comprehensive assessment of different variables which were also coordinated in terms of previous studies on the subject matter. No logical fallacies were seen in the conclusion as the conclusions drawn were based on well-supported evidence and results (NHS, 2006). The study asked a specific and clearly focused question in terms of its population, interventions, and outcomes to be measured. It was appropriately carried out as a randomized controlled trial and as it measured different interventions in the management of one disease. The participants were appropriately allocated to the intervention and control groups through random processes. The method of allocation was described by the researchers. No blinding of researchers, staff, and respondents were undertaken. All the participants who entered the trial were accounted at the conclusion of the study with all of the participants followed up and with data collected in the same way. Sufficient participants were considered by the respondents using appropriate sample population computation. The results are presented through tables with corresponding statistical interpretations on values. The outcome measures were used in order to establish clear correlations within the text. The study concluded that internet-based interventions produce significant improvements in relation to improved patient outcomes, mostly in relation to healthy diet, fat consumption, and physical activity (Glasgow, et.al., 2010). The internet-based intervention presented significant contributions in improving health outcomes for diabetic patients, mostly in terms of achieving long-term benefits, as well as enhanced effectiveness and cost-effectiveness (Glasgow, et.al., 2010). All in all, this study provided a strong basis for the implementation of internet-based interventions with changes in terms of diet and physical activity (Glasgow, et.al., 2010). Conclusion The studies critically evaluated and presented above are all appropriate studies which refer to diabetes self-management. They rank high in the hierarchy of evidence and provide scholarly academic support for the methods which can help support diabetes management. Evaluation tools applied were able to assess the methodologies as well as the results of the study. These studies provide overall support for the tools involved in diabetes self-management and in the improvement of the quality of patient’s lives. References Cochran, J. and Conn, V. (2008). Meta-analysis of quality of life outcomes following diabetes self-management training. Diabetes Educ., vol. 34(5): p. 815. Glasgow, R., Kurz, D., King, D., Dickman, J., Faber, A., Halterman, E., Wooley, T., and Ritzwoller, D. (2010). Outcomes of minimal and moderate support versions of an internet-based diabetes self-management support program. J Gen Intern Med., vol. 25, no. 12: pp. 1315–1322. King, D., Glasgow, R., Toobert, D., Strycker, L., Estabrooks, P., and Osuna, D. (2010). Self- Efficacy, problem solving, and social-environmental support are associated with diabetes self-management behaviors. Diabetes Care, vol. 33, no. 4, pp. no. 4: pp. 751-753 National Health Services (2006). Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) making sense of evidence. Retrieved 23 May 2012 from http://www.sph.nhs.uk/sph-files/casp-appraisal-tools/rct%20appraisal%20tool.pdf Oxford University Press. (2012). A framework for critiquing quantitative research articles. 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