Dry Weight from the Hemodialysis Patient Perspective - Essay Example

Research critique: Dry Weight from the Haeomodialysis Patient Perspective s Research critique on Dry Weight from the Haeomodialysis Patient Perspective Problem statement There are increasing incidences of chronic kidney disease. This increased from 11,000 to 38,000 from 1990 to 2009. Of the 38,000 patients, 59% of them were on dialysis, and they were 65 years of age and older (Bourbonnais & Tousignant, 2012). This implies that the numbers of patients on renal dialysis also increased because most of them were living longer. In this regard, the concept of dry weight is core to controlling fluid in patients on haemodialysis (HD). The removal of excess fluids is the major responsibility of a nurse. In this perpespective, the dry weight enables the nurse to establish the suitable amount of fluid to be eliminated. This is because nursing care is aimed at delivering safe and evidence-based treatment. Lindberg, Bäckström-Andersson, Lindström, and Lindberg (2013) argue that very few studies have examined the concept dry weight from the standpoint of the person receiving the HD. Patients have also reported that they feel powerless due to the fact that the renal care team exclusively determine their dry weight instead of involving them in the process of shared decision making. There minimal literature that has focused on focused on fluid control from the patients’ point of view. This is what prompted the researcher to conduct a study on the dry weight from the haemodialysis patient perspective. Therefore, the study aims at filling the knowledge gap on examining the dry weight from the haemodialysis’ patient perspective (Lindberg et al., 2013). The study information will be helpful to the health facilities to inform policy and guide approaches of suitable interventions for patients on haemodialysis. By recognizing the perspective of the patients regarding the concept of dry weight, the dialysis team could assist the patients to effectively formulate self-care strategies to deal with the effects of chronic renal failure. This is because fluid control is very crucial for patients on HD. The researchers have stated clearly why the study needs to be undertaken and what they expect to gain from it. Besides that, they have also pointed out the significance of the study and the manner in which it will add to the general body of information on the phenomenon. Purpose and research questions The aim of the study is to determine to explore the manner in which individuals receiving HD view the concept of dry weight and how they act in relation to it. As a weakness to the study, the researcher did not clearly provide the research questions, and they had to be inferred from the answers provided by the study. They include: i. What are the ways in which HD patients perceive dry weight? ii. What are the actions taken regarding the HD patients’ perceptions? The purpose of the research and research questions are related to the study problem. The aims of the study and the research questions form a link between the research problem and the manner in which the study will be conducted. They were clearly stated and go well together with the data presented in the literature review. Burns and Grove (2011) argue that a qualitative study focuses on human experiences via interactive and systematic approaches. First, the qualitative method was suitable to answer the research questions since they were subjective and described a phenomenon of compassion from the perspective of those experiencing it, in this case, HD patients. Compassion is a very crucial element in nursing practice where older persons with a chronic disease are receiving care. Next, a qualitative approach was required since only a small population was going to be sampled, 10 HD patients. Lastly, limited research has examined the concept of dry weight in patients on haemodialysis using personal accounts of their experiences. Therefore, a study that makes use of a qualitative approach was warranted. Literature review The major purpose of a literature review is to develop the research question while at the same time identifying the suitable method of data collection. Additionally, existing literature ought to provide the research basis along with the context for interpreting findings (Ryan, Coughlan, & Cronin, 2007). Lindberg et al. (2013) cited both qualitative and quantitative studies that were relevant to the concept of dry weight in patients on HD. The authors also cited books, journals, and a credible internet source that were relevant to the focus of study. Most of the references used are current. However, since not all the references used were current, there were some sources which were used published from 2001 to 2008 excluding the research by Thomson, Waterhouse, McDonald, and Friedman which was published in 1967. Even though it is relevant to the study, it is very old. The researchers carried out a study on the “Haemodialysis for chronic renal failure: Clinical observations.” The authors did indicate the weaknesses of the available studies. Lindberg, Bäckström-Andersson, Lindström, and Lindberg argued that there are very few studies that have explored the concept of fluid control in HD from the patient’s perspective. As a consequence, it is a strength to their study since it will focus on the issue of dry weight from the people receiving HD. By incorporating both qualitative and quantitative studies that were relevant to the focus of study, the study’s literature review was able to incorporate enough information to develop a logical argument about the concept of dry weight from the patients receiving haemodialysis. However, one limitation of the study is that bias in the recall ability of the patient’s may influence some of their responses. The other limitation is that the researchers relied heavily on the data provided by the patients. Conceptual/theoretical framework Most qualitative studies are described as theory-generating research (Burns & Groove, 2011). This implies that the purpose of the study is to develop a theory and not to test it. The researchers explored literature and established the main concept, which was then utilized to focus data collection as well as presentation of findings. The authors explored the main ideas on dry weight from the patients receiving HD. The findings were structured based on the perception categories including no specific perception of dry weight, a reminder of fluid restriction, indicating excessive fluid, and an aid (Lindberg et al., 2013). As a result, the authors developed a certain perspective from which the study was developed. They provided a conceptual framework on ways in which the HD patients viewed the concept of dry weight . Action Conceptual framework on the dry weight from the HD patient’s perspective The research concluded with an accurate list of all journals, books, and reports, as well as other media that were referred to in the study. References Bourbonnais, F. F., & Tousignant, K. F. (2012). The Pain Experience of Patients. Nephrology Nursing Journal , 39 (1), 13-19. Burns, N., & Grove, S. (2011). Understanding Nursing Research. New York: Elsevier. Lindberg, M., Bäckström-Andersson, H., Lindström, R., & Lindberg, M. (2013). Dry weight from the haemodialysis patient perspective. Renal Society of Australasia Journal, 9(2), 68-73. Ryan, F., Coughlan, M., & Cronin, P. (2007). Step-by-step guide to critiquing research: Qualitative study. British Journal of Nursing , 16 (12), 738-744. Read More