Importance of Research in Health and Social Care: A Comparative Analysis of Two Journal Articles on Type 2 Diabetes

This report compares two journal articles on Type 2 Diabetes in health and social care, highlighting the need for improvements towards practice. It explains the qualitative and quantitative research along with their characteristics. The first article examines the experiences of primary care provision for people with type 2 diabetes, while the second article evaluates the impact of a community-based social prescribing intervention on people with type 2 diabetes in North East England. The report concludes that research plays a vital role in improving patient outcomes and guiding service providers in legal practices.

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Table of contents
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Importance of research in the health and social care
1.3 Explaining the qualitative and quantitative research along with their
characteristics
2.0 Research article-1
2.1 Research article-2
2.2 How are findings, conclusion and recommendations highlighting
need for improvements towards practice
3.0 Conclusion
References
Appendix
1.2 Importance of research in the health and social care
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
This report will describe the research carried out within two journal articles
around a selected topic which is Type 2 Diabetes in health and social care.
Research will be within comparing two articles from literature reviewed. This report
will also examine the selected topic which is — Provision of services in the primary
care for type 2 diabetes being compared by Evaluating the impact of a community-
based social prescribing intervention on people with type 2 diabetes in North East
England: mixed-methods study protocol within using the wide variety of the scholarly
materials. In comparison of two articles with the help of reviewed literature within
highlighting the major need for the change and/ or improvement, current essay will
consider the major arguments for a change and improvement in the health and social
care practice. This will also lead to show the validity along with reliability that will be
gather from the evidences within discussing the methods that have been used in the
gathered data.
The selected topic that will be reviewed under this essay are — Provision of
services in primary care for type 2 diabetes being compared by Evaluating the
impact of a community- based social prescribing intervention on people with type 2
diabetes in North East England: mixed-methods study protocol specifically by
focusing on diabetic patients. This review will be supported by various relevant
references for the people who are in the range of having being diagnosed as having
Type 2 Diabetes.
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1.2 Importance of research in the health and social care
The research plays vital role in health and social care/evidence based practices
as it aims to assure the most effective care which is available for the patient. The
outcomes of the research are highly beneficial for improving the patient outcomes.
The best evidences that are available has been applied in the care process of the
patient. The high quality care to the patient has been provided with the help of the
evidences gathered in the research. Along with this, research guides the service
providers in context of legal practices and illegal practices. The research has been
proven highly beneficial for the patients as the outcomes of research comes up with
the ways in which the care must be assured to the patients. The evidence based-
practices cannot be performed without using the research outcomes as the research
is aligned with the evidences that assures accuracy level in delivering care to
patients.
1.3 Explaining the qualitative and quantitative research along with their
characteristics-
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Quantitative research …
The quantitative research has been determined as the systematic
investigation of the phenomenon within gathering the quantifiable data and within
performing the statistical, computation and mathematical techniques. The data that
has been used within adopting quantitative research is in the form of numerical data.
The major characteristics of quantitative research are- It mainly contains the
measurable variables, it uses the standardized research tools, it assumes the
population distribution, uses the repetitive method, predicts outcomes, use the
measuring devices and presents the data in form of tables, figures or graphs
(Latifnejad Roudsari, 2019). Thus, quantitative research is aligned with the producing
the numerical outcomes.
Qualitative research ….
The qualitative research has been defined as the study of the nature of the
phenomenon within using theoretical concept. In this research the outcomes have
been generate within providing answers of the questions. The qualitative research
uses the interview, questionnaire and survey format. The outcomes that has been
produced with the help of the qualitative research are easy to understand and shows
higher relevancy as the outcomes is being produced in theoretical format (Tang,
2021). The main characteristics of qualitative research are- it is consist of theoretical
data, it focuses on natural setting and it is concern with inductive analysis and
grounded theory.
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Research article-1
“Provision of services in primary care for type 2 diabetes”
A qualitative study with patients, GPs, and nurses in the East of England
The first review article has been written by Dambha-Miller et.al. (2020) and
the second article was given by Moffatt et.al. (2019). Dambha-Miller et.al. (2020) in
their qualitative study has examined about the experiences of the primary care
provision for the people who are facing type 2 diabetes and their respective GPs and
the nurses. Whereas, Moffatt et.al. (2019) in their mixed methodology has examined
about the impacts and the costs of the link worker social prescribing interventions
over the health and the healthcare use by the adults aged 40-74 with the type 2
diabetes who are living in the multi-ethnic area of the socio-economic deprivation.
Over-all both the articles have investigated about the issues related to the
intervention and care services used for patient who have type 2 diabetes.
However, Moffatt et.al. (2019) has used the combination of quantitative and
qualitative study. The article given by Moffatt et.al. (2019) has performed the
quantitative quasi experimental method in order to evaluate the effects of the social
prescribing over health and the healthcare use and the cost-effective analysis. Also,
qualitative ethnographic method has been used in regard to observing the patient
engagement with the social prescribing. Thus, mixed methodology has been used in
this article. Using both the qualitative and quantitative method together works in
effective way that provides the effective insight and deep knowledge related to
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research area. More actionable insights can be delivered within using combination of
both (Johnstone, 2019).
Dambha-Miller et.al. (2020) has revealed in their qualitative study that, Type 2
diabetes is the tracer condition which reflects the numerous aspects of the primary
care. The efforts that are given to manage the pressure have not been perceived in
favourable manner by the patients and the service provider, despite some benefits.
The expectation of care can be reframed within communicating the solutions to both
the service user and service provider, so they can easily understand and managed
the situation. In the study conducted by Dambha-Miller et.al. (2020) it has often
witnessed that only minimum set of standards has been followed by the service
providers while delivering primary care to the type 2 diabetes patient. There is being
another studies have been conducted in same context that reflects that quality
improvement technique must be adopted by the service provider in delivering care
services to the patient of type 2 diabetes. The major focus should be made over the
quality improvement of patient and this can be done with the help of involving patient
in their treatment. Proper communication must be made with the patient and then
solutions needs to be derived. The aim of the study was to identify the extent up-to
which care services can be improved for type 2 diabetes patient (Lean et.al. 2018).
The approach that has been used in the study of Dambha-Miller et.al. (2020)
was semi-structured interview and data have been collected within using primary
source. The major strength of using interview method is it helped in explaining and
understanding the outcome in effective manner. In this method the questions have
been asked to the participants and participants shares their views on the basis of the
experience and realistic scenario (Pierce, Epstein and Wood, 2022) The questions
are usually open-ended question and therefore, in depth information has been
gathered in effective manner. With the help of semi structured interview, the
questions have been asked GP and nurses and effective information has been
gathered in the research context that has helped in generating effective outcomes.
The data has been collected between the August 2017 and August 2018 in
the East of England with the help of semi-structured interview. The major limitation of
this study is that it has consumed time. Also, it leads to provide less anatomy which
is big deal for the respondents. The inclusion of the patient along with their
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respective GP’s and the nurses is one of the biggest strength of the study. A
complete perspective has been drawn on the provision of diabetes services. The
interview enabled the detailed probing in terms of elicit the views in research context.
The limitation of the study was that the content has moved towards the more digital
consultation. The present studies show that in order to manage the pressure over
primary care while handling cases of type 2 diabetes it is important that patient must
be included in their treatment procedure However, the article findings revealed there
is need to co-create the health services in which the patient can be included. Also,
more effective strategies are needed in terms of decreasing the workload pressure
over the nurses and GPs (Carr et.al. 2022).
The sample population in this study involves the range of Glycaemic
measures, nurses and patients. The responders were not separated on the basis of
the trail group. The e-mail has been sent to all participants when the response has
been received by the author further work has been carried out. In context of sample,
the sample was appropriate. However, professional practitioner must be included as
the sample as they have effective knowledge in regard to primary care services. The
selected sample has assured the higher reliability of the outcomes as those were
service providers who are facing the work load pressure which leads to disturbing
the primary cares services. However, not inclusion of more healthcare and
professionals has reduced the relevancy of the outcomes as the healthcare
professionals have wider and depth knowledge in relation of the measures.
The 24 people have been interviewed with the type 2 diabetes that has helped
in knowing the problems faced by patient while receiving care services. The findings
indicate that, there is need to change the service provision in primary care services.
Reduction in the interaction of patient with the GPs have also created lack of
effective care services. The key themes have been shown with the help of thematic
analysation which includes themes such as- nurse-delivered but GP-led the
diabetes care and Increasing pressure on care. However, one more theme should be
in the findings that could describe the measures over this.
The ethics has been followed by the author. The ethical approval has been
taken from Eastern MREC and East of England — Cambridge South Research
Ethics Committee Cambridgeshire and the Cambridge trial is registered as
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ISRCTN86769081. The participants have been made aware about the research topic
and informed consent concept has been applied.
2.0 Research article-2
Evaluating the impact of a community-
based social prescribing intervention on
people with type 2 diabetes
in North
East England: mixed-methods study
protocol
The second article was given by Moffatt et.al. (2019). Whereas, the first article has
been written by Dambha-Miller et.al. (2020). Dambha-Miller et.al. (2020) in their
qualitative study has examined about the experiences of the primary care provision
in context of the people who are facing type 2 diabetes and their respective GPs and
the nurses.
The data collection method which is used within the research is mixed — method
approach which includes combining – quantitative quasi – experimental methods which has
helped in describing the effects of social prescribing on health and healthcare use and
analysis which is determined to be cost effective (Moffatt and et.al., 2019). And the other
qualitative ethnographic methods to observe how patients engage with social prescribing.
Using both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, the research will provide
deep insight and will engage into providing specific knowledge and data which is collected at
large scale regarding health and care of people with Type -2 Diabetes. There are some
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primary and secondary outcomes which are analysed and are directed within the research
study at large scale.
Calderón-Larrañaga, Clinch and et.al., (2021), states that it is very important that
proper samples have been collected and this is ensuring that analysis of impact of a
community-
based social prescribing intervention on
people with type 2 diabetes in North
East England is being done properly. This is how effectively the care should be provided as
to how there are changes and improvement should be included. There is qualitative data
which comprises collecting the data by participant observation and interviews with
purposively sampled service users and focus groups with the link workers. There are larger
sample sizes which are collected and this helps in concerning the aspects which are related to
studies which were published. The first study was published within the year 2000. This was
conducted in England and was considered as Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) for primary
care patients aged 16 years and over which had psychological problems. After the process of
randomization significant results were found which were related to anxiety and the quality of
life. There were further no effects found in social isolation, depression, general practitioner
(GP) which included the sample of 161 patients.
There was second study which comprised quasi-experimental general-practice level
cluster RCT with a
mixed-methods process evaluation of a practice-based
Community Links Practitioner social prescribing intervention in 15 general practices in
Scotland targeting patients
with complex needs. There were no significant differences which were being measured
within the study which were based on the statistics. The primary outcome measure—
EQ-5D-5L—at 9 months compared with usual care, but
improvements were reported in the following secondary
outcomes (Wildman and Wildman, 2021). Therefore, it became very important to collect
the data inappropriate manner and on regular basis at large scale.
Based on both the qualitative and quantitative data which has been collected, the
study aims to evaluate impact and the cost analysis for the community — based link —
worker and intervention on the health and healthcare of adults 40 – 74 with Type 2 Diabetes.
The quantitative data consists of the important aspects such as — number if people in UK
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with diabetic condition is rising over 6 million by the end of 2035 which is comprising 85 —
90% of the population having diabetes at large scale (Drinkwater, Wildman and Moffatt,
2019). The sample size is based on the number of patients having diabetes and these are
from April 2015 – March 2016 which were staring from 462 in number and then rise above to
600. With the sample size of over 1600 there is assumption that the Type 1 error is of 5%.
There is 85% of power which is being assumed to have the size which is denoting the
consequences which are related to individuals having the problems facing the Diabetes.
According to Wildman and et.al., (2019), 30 workers had been interviewed which
was done in the form of recording the data and information digitally. The qualitative data will
have the semi — structured interview which has been conducted at large scale. This was done
by recording the meetings with the link — workers.
There are certain types of limitations which have been identified and this comprises
the social issues which the people had faced within the primary health care and the services
which were least available to them (Moffatt and et.al., 2019). There are also certain types of
findings which have been initiated and these are — that there is ineffectiveness which has
been identified with the primary care. There is insufficient data and evidence of value for
money. The research is adding knowledge to the topic which is enabling the consequences
which are related to how the care is to be provided to the patients having diabetes. The major
limitation which the research study consist is - social prescribing models vary in terms of
commissioning, funding, referral criteria and path-
way, service provider and the range of activities which were prescribed.
With the help of thematic analysis, the themes had been framed which were
represented by lien by line coding (Wildman and Wildman, 2021). The ethics have also
been followed by the author and there are major concerns regarding the aspects which are
taken into aspects related to how effectively the care should be provided to the people. This
research data and information should be properly framed which should help in considering
the aspects of collecting all the information and data so that the results can be evaluated
effectively and appropriately for the future studies and researches.
 2.2 How are findings, conclusion and recommendations highlighting
need for improvements towards practice.
There is a need to improve the change in the practices. The provision of services in
primary care are concerned with numerous hurdles. The major issue is that the
pressure has been increased over the nurses and the work pressure over them is
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impacting the care services towards patients. The interaction of the patient has
become less with the GPs and direct pressure is being created over the nurses
which is impacting care services on negative note. Also, the inclusion of patient
decision is their treatment is often neglected that creates the lack of effectiveness in
the care services. The major improvements that are needed in the practice is that
patient must be involved in their treatment procedure and the work-pressure over
nurses must be reduced so their effectiveness cannot get impacted on negative note
(Lean et.al. 2019). Also, the interaction of the patient must be made with the GPs
so, patient can get effective care services.
3.0 Conclusion
The essay has focused over the two articles that was on the primary care
provision in type 2 diabetes. It has often reviewed the various aspects of the
research procedures such as, the research method, sampling, data collection and
the aim of the articles which is being adopted by both the authors. The research
findings have been explored on a critically note where the positive and negative both
the aspects have been effectively drawn. Furthermore, the review has helped in
identifying the major key issues in regard to the primary provision care of type 2
diabetes such as- work-load over service providers, lack of care services towards
patients. The need of the professional involvement has to be done in the future
research so, the measures can be known in effective way. Thus, both the article has
shown the common thing and that is there is need to change the ways in which
provision care services is being assured to the patient with type 2 diabetes. Also, the
patient must be involved in their treatment procedure and their opinion needs to
hear.
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References:
Calderón-Larrañaga, S., Clinch, M. and et.al., 2021. Could social prescribing
contribute to type 2 diabetes prevention in people at high risk? Protocol for a realist,
multilevel, mixed methods review and evaluation. BMJ open. 11(4). p.e042303.
Carr et.al. 2022. Impact of COVID-19 restrictions on diabetes health checks
and prescribing for people with type 2 diabetes: a UK-wide cohort study involving
618 161 people in primary care. BMJ Quality & Safety. 31(7). pp.503-514.
Dambha-Miller, et.al. 2020. Provision of services in primary care for type 2
diabetes: a qualitative study with patients, GPs, and nurses in the East of
England. British Journal of General Practice. 70(698).pp.e668-e675.
Drinkwater, C., Wildman, J. and Moffatt, S., 2019. Social prescribing. Bmj.
364.
Johnstone, P.L., 2019. Mixed methods, mixed methodology health services
research in practice. Qualitative health research. 14(2). pp.259-271.
Latifnejad Roudsari, R., 2019. Qualitative description: A less sophisticated approach
for junior qualitative researchers. Journal of Midwifery and Reproductive
Health. 7(4). pp.1856-1857.
Lean et.al. 2018. Primary care-led weight management for remission of type 2
diabetes (DiRECT): an open-label, cluster-randomised trial. The Lancet, 391(10120),
pp.541-551.
Lean et.al. 2019. Durability of a primary care-led weight-management
intervention for remission of type 2 diabetes: 2-year results of the DiRECT open-
label, cluster-randomised trial. The lancet Diabetes & endocrinology. 7(5). pp.344-
355.
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Moffatt, S. and et.al., 2019. Evaluating the impact of a community-based
social prescribing intervention on people with type 2 diabetes in North East England:
mixed-methods study protocol. BMJ open. 9(1). p.e026826.
Pierce, C.D., Epstein, M.H. and Wood, M.D., 2022. Content Validation of the
Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale–3rd Edition: Strength-Based
Interview. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, p.10634266221099246.
Tang, T., 2021. Quantitative research. In Encyclopedia of Sport Management (pp.
384-385). Edward Elgar Publishing.
Wildman, J. and Wildman, J.M., 2021. Evaluation of a community health
worker social prescribing program among UK patients with type 2 diabetes. JAMA
network open. 4(9). pp.e2126236-e2126236.
Wildman, J.M. and et.al., 2019. Service-users’ perspectives of link worker
social prescribing: a qualitative follow-up study. BMC public health. 19(1). pp.1-12.
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Author, Title or article, Title of Journal Year of
Publication
Purpose of
research study
Type of
Study
Design
Article 1.
Author/s – Dambha-Miller, et.al. 2020.
Title of Article – Provision of services in primary
care for
type 2 diabetes:
a qualitative study with patients, GPs, and
nurses in the East of England
Title of Journal – British Journal of General
Practice.
2020 To provide the
provisions and
care services to
patients
performed with
the qualitative
study with GP
and nurses.
Qualitative
Type
Article 2.
Author/s – Moffatt, S. and et.al., 2019.
Title of Article – Evaluating the impact of a
community-
based social prescribing intervention on
people with type 2 diabetes in North
East England: mixed-methods study
protocol.
Title of Journal – British Journal of General
Practice
2020 To evaluate the
impact of
community
based social
prescribing
intervention on
people with Type
2 Diabetes which
is performed
with mixed
methods of
study.
Mixed
method –
Qualitative
and
Quantitativ
e Type.

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Appendix:
Article 1 – Full reference
Dambha-Miller, et.al. 2020. Provision of services in primary care for type 2 diabetes:
a qualitative study with patients, GPs, and nurses in the East of England. British
Journal of General Practice. 70(698).pp.e668-e675.
Article 2 – Full reference
Moffatt, S. and et.al., 2019. Evaluating the impact of a community-based social
prescribing intervention on people with type 2 diabetes in North East England:
mixed-methods study protocol. BMJ open. 9(1). p.e026826.
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