NURS6900 Introduction to Research in Healthcare 2022

Running head: NURS6900 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH IN HEALTHCARE 1
NURS6900 Introduction to Research in Healthcare
Name of Student
Institutional Affiliation

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Introduction to Research in Healthcare
Context and Perspective of the Research
Perspective
People diagnosed with different health conditions also face other challenges that
exacerbate their recovery and response to treatment interventions. When a patient is diagnosed
with a particular condition, they are susceptible to psychosocial externalities that could
negatively impact their wellbeing (Vancampfort et al., 2019). The justification for the need for
palliative care is founded on this evidence to ensure that patients receive multidimensional
assistance that not only addresses the disease but also mitigate the secondary challenges that are
considered as the aftermath of diagnosis and coping with the disease (Kmakar et al., 2016). For
example, people diagnosed with metabolic syndrome are at a high risk of mental distress;
subsequently, this coexistence could lead to negative experiences and specific challenges.
Need for the Research
The prevalence of mental illness among patients diagnosed with other healthcare
complications is alarming. It is estimated that about one in four people is affected by mental
illness at one point in life. In this case, there is a need for a clear understanding of the challenges
and experiences of those who are affected to establish a baseline for targeted intervention
measures. A critical analysis of the encounter of mental illness patients indicates that there is a
negative effect on treatment and recovery whenever a patient diagnosed with a primary problem
exhibit depressive symptoms or psychological distress (Vancampfort et al., 2019; Kmakar et al.,
2016). Metabolic syndrome includes a cluster of complications that paves the way for additional
risks such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. At the same time, people diagnosed with
metabolic syndrome also face a range of psychological distress (Postolache et al., 2019; Das-

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Munshi et al., 2017). In this case, by understanding the nature of their experiences and special
challenges, it will be possible to design intervention measures that target the origin and triggers
of the exhibited mental distress as a synergistic approach to palliative care for this population
(Scott et al., 2016). Therefore, this proposed study is needed because people diagnosed with
metabolic syndrome are at a high risk of complex diseases and the coexistence of this condition
and mental illness exacerbate the experiences of such individuals.
Population of Interest
The population of interest is mental illness patients. Mental illness is a set of adverse
conditions that impact emotions, behavior, and thinking process. mental illness could occur as
combinations of emotional, behavior, and thought processes. If not addressed in time, mental
illness could lead to a severe social, psychological, and physical exacerbation (Das-Munshi et al.,
2017). Mental health complications are caused by different variable and characterized by
significant risk factors. In this case, intervention programs must be based on specific causes,
experiences, and outcomes. Mental health patients suffer who suffer distress because of a
primary health condition are at risk of poor recovery and self-management outcomes (Das-
Munshi et al., 2017). Proposed strategies to address cases of mental illness among metabolic
syndrome patients have revolved around the mitigation of triggers and risk factors.
Cultural, Sociocultural, and Clinical Influences
Mental health is associated with cultural, social, and clinical influences. While the
objective of clinical assessment is to restore the normal psychological, social, and physical
wellbeing, it is essential to note that patients coexist in a setting that is diverse in terms of culture
and practices (Das-Munshi et al., 2017). For one to understand the triggers of mental distress that
impact the wellbeing of metabolic syndrome patients, it is necessary to consider how the primary

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diagnoses form pathways of mental illnesses and how its coexistence impact personal
experiences. At the same time, community setting and social background also come into the
picture as socio-cultural aspects that should be accommodated in the analysis. In this proposed
study, it will be necessary to accommodate these dimensions by acknowledging how they affect
the wellbeing of the targeted population and inform the nature of outcomes and experiences.
Qualitative Research Question
As noted in the previous section, the purpose of this proposed qualitative research is to
evaluate the experiences as well as the special challenges that people with mental health illness
face in Grampians region in Victoria, Australia. The study will focus on those patients with
metabolic syndrome. In this case, the research question that informs this study is as follows;
What are the experiences and special challenges faced by people with mental health
illness in the Grampians region in Victoria, Australia due to metabolic syndrome?
Qualitative Research Design
The proposed research design for this study is narrative inquiry. Narrative inquiry is a
qualitative methodology that focuses on the human and personal dimensions that define specific
experiences over a certain period. The use of this design allows the researcher to establish the
existing relationship between the experience observed and situational contexts. Therefore,
narrative inquiry is considered as a comprehensive assessment of human experiences as outlined
by individual narratives to draw connections and relationships (Clandinin & Connelly, 2000).
When participants retell their experiences and encounters, specific patterns and relationships
could be identified. It is the fundamental purpose of narrative inquiry to evaluate the existence of
such connections by understanding the retold stories lived by participants. In this proposed study,

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the objective is to assess the experiences and special challenges of metabolic syndrome patients
with mental illness, which justifies the appropriateness of the narrative inquiry qualitative
research design. Through this methodological framework, it will be possible to evaluate the
individual experiences of the selected participants and determine whether there are any notable
patterns and relationships. Additionally, situational factors will be included to ascertain how they
impact the experience of patients.
Study Population, Eligibility Criteria, Study Sample, and Sampling Method200
The study focuses on the Grampians region in Victoria, Australia. In this case, data will
be obtained from the sample from the targeted mental illness patients in this region. The number
of Australians diagnosed with metabolic syndrome has been increasing in recent years. By
assessing mental illness experiences among members of this group, it will be possible to draw
evidence-based insights. Therefore, the study will identify mental illness patients in the
Grampians region in Victoria, Australia. Among the identified patients based on hospital records
on group therapy and other psychiatric interventions, the researcher will focus on those
individuals with metabolic syndrome as the primary diagnosis. The remaining patients will be
excluded from the study population because this group lacks experiences and special challenges
exclusive to those diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. The study will focus on obtaining
consent from 50 patients. The value of 50 participants is an estimation based on the area of the
study, which is limited to the Grampians region. based on the limited area of the study, working
with a total of 50 patients is reasonable because of the anticipated challenge of accessing the
patients for data collection. The use of purposive sampling will be employed to select the
population from which the study sample will be obtained. This approach of segregating the

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population to be included and secluded from the study will ensure that the assessment and data
collection is based on experiences from the appropriate participants.
Methods of Data Collection
Based on the selected research design, it is essential to align the data collection methods
to the identified research framework (Morse, 2011). In this proposed study, the data will be
collected through interviews and the filling of questionnaires. The data will be collected during
the group session of the patients as they scheduled programs. It will be convenient to work with
the participants during this period to ensure that the interview and data collection sessions to not
interfere with their additional scheduled activities during the other days. The use of
questionnaires and interviews provides a comprehensive framework for the collection of data
defining personalized narration of experiences. The interviews will allow the researcher to seek
clarifications and one-on-one interaction with the participants (Liamputtong, 2016). On the other
hand, questionnaires will offer the opportunity to target specific elements of the experiences and
special challenges in lien with existing theoretical perspectives. Since the group sessions are
conducted at the local healthcare facility, the data collection process will also be carried out at
the same location after the participants are done with their tasks. The process of gathering the
data will be carried out for an estimated period of five weeks where ten patients will be engaged
each week. The collection of data will be undertaken in two stages in one session for each
patient, that is, each participant will fill the questionnaire and subsequently engage in a short
interview.
Rigor, Trustworthiness, and Limitations of the Study
Trustworthiness is the equivalent of rigor in quantitative studies since researchers are
unable to calculate reliability, bias, and validity values in qualitative research. Therefore, it

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relates to the degree of comprehensiveness depicted in the study based on how the researcher has
addressed the underpinning questions and ethical issues (Cope, 2014). Credibility is the steps
that are undertaken in a study to meet the objectives, which implies that a qualitative study
should depict a clear audit and decision trail. Dependability in a qualitative study is the extent to
which the research remains the same over different circumstances based on the tools and
frameworks of analysis. additionally, the study should be an actual representation of the
participant’s views and experience in line with the confirmability principle. The study should be
applicable in other settings with similar characteristics, which will imply that the research is
transferable. Moreover, the authenticity of the qualitative study refers to the extent to which the
feeling and emotions of the included respondents have been accurately captured. In this proposed
study, the researcher will include direct quotes from participants, offer detailed descriptions of
narratives and participants, ensure that the study could be chronologically followed, and
guarantee that the data collection process is uniform and standardized (Shenton, 2004).
Ethical Implications for the Study
People dealing with mental distress are vulnerable individuals, which implies that their
involvement in a study should account for the ethical issues associated with this characteristic. In
this case, participants dealing with critical mental distress will not be included as part of the
study, which will be identified by the evaluation of hospital recommendations. Those
recommended for group sessions will be asked to fill the consent, which will be voluntary. The
researcher will take to explain the details of the study to the identified individuals and given time
to make a decision. Those who will accept to undertake the interviews and fill the questionnaires
will be included in the scheduled data collection list. The process of data collection will not
include personalized information such as treatment and diagnosis of patients and will solely

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adhere to their experiences and challenges as narrated by each individual. Ethics in this study
will be maintained by adhering to the highlighted research procedure, data collection framework,
and limited patient interaction.

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