Article Critique: Hope Predictors in Cancer Patients - Jordan

This article critique analyzes a research article by Khater and Alkwiese (2013) that investigates the predictors of hope among cancer patients in Jordan. The study aimed to identify factors, including social support, religious beliefs, and demographic characteristics, that correlate with fostering hope in this patient population. The critique highlights the study's strengths, such as its ethical considerations and structured approach, while also pointing out limitations, including the cultural and geographical specificity of the findings, given that the majority of the sample were Muslims. The critique emphasizes the importance of social support, particularly from nurses, and the potential for healthcare professionals globally to adapt the study's findings to improve patient care and promote both mental and physical well-being among cancer patients. The critique also discusses the study's implications for healthcare professionals in designing interventions and nursing practices to foster hope in cancer patients.

Running head: ARTICLE CRITIQUE
ARTICLE CRITIQUE
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Introduction
This article has been presented by Mohannad J. Alkwiese and Wejdan A. Khater and
aims on exploring the predictors of hope among the cancer patients in Jordan. According to
the article, the second biggest cause of death in Jordan is due to cancer and in Jordan having
being diagnosed with cancer is perceived as a shattering news which not only has a huge
effect on the family but on the patients. The paper aims on identifying how hope is generated
among the cancer patients in the country which helps patients in being positive throughout
the process of treatment (Khater & Alkwiese, 2013). It has been seen that there is correlation
which has been identified between hope and the outcomes among cancer patients that are
positive in terms of their health like somatic health, well-being, social functioning and also
healthy lifestyles. Hope is said to help patients who have been diagnosed with cancer to cope
up with the stress by enhancing their mental and physical well-being (Khater & Alkwiese,
2013). Thus, encouraging patients and maintaining the sense of hope among these patients
who are battling and struggling due to cancer is vital and necessary to help these patients
battle the diagnosis and the treatment positively which will help in the recovery process.
Literature review
This article will help in identifying the key and primary factors which contribute to
the rise in the sense of hope among the patients diagnosed or suffering from cancer which is
essential information for the professionals in the healthcare so that they can design proper
interventions which will help in fostering hope in the cancer patients. This will help both the
professionals in the healthcare and also the patients to be positive, build a stronger will power
to fight against the disease, combat patients from having stress and depression and help them
in coping up from the trauma and the disease which will help them in both their physical as
well as mental well-being.

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This article provides research on fostering hope which is necessary however not many
research and articles have been found or has been published on the importance of fostering
hope among patients for their well-being. The paper has been structures in a very well
manner which provides all the information in a detailed manner which makes it easy for the
readers to understand the argument that the paper or the article wants to establish.
Research questions, sampling, ethics and data collection
The sample that has been taken to perform the research on the paper is appropriate as
about 170 patients from three different hospitals have been used complying with the ethical
considerations and permission taken from the authorities in those healthcare facilities also
from the patients as well. The authors in this paper have conducted their research during the
hours when the patients would not need any medical interventions so that the research does
not affect any process of treatment of the patients or intervenes with the practice of the
healthcare making the paper appropriate and ethical as well.
Data analysis
The data analysis of the paper consists on inferential as well descriptive analysis
making the paper more authentic and relevant which can be used by healthcare professional
who deals with patients diagnosed with cancer. The paper uses standard deviations
percentage which has been used to assess socio-demographic aspects or factors of the sample
and has also calculated the results of PRQ and HHI. Independent sample t tests were also
conducted that helped in examining the differences in the level of hope and also many times
linear regression analysis was performed.
Discussion
The paper had some limitations where the authors have provided information about
the levels of hope in the article at one point of time whereas hope varies at different level

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during various different times ad situations. The majority of the patients who have been the
sample for this study belonged from Muslim religious backgrounds and this study has a found
a correlation between religious beliefs and hope among the patients in Jordan. Though the
paper is well structured and has researched on a vital aspect, the question of universality
arises because of the geographical and cultural limitation of the paper.
It has been see that majority of the sample for this research were Muslims and their
beliefs are different in comparison to the beliefs of people from different cultural
backgrounds. These paper only talks about the patients who have cancer in Jordan thus this
paper may not be very helpful for people who belong from countries with diverse population.
Moreover the people in Jordan are highly religious however; there are many people who are
not religious and atheists for which religious beliefs will not help in fostering hope among
these patients which is one of the biggest limitations of the paper. Thus, the paper cannot be
universally accepted by healthcare professionals to design interventions and foster hope
among the patients. However, some aspects of the paper can be utilized to help in fostering
hope in the cancer patients worldwide which is the practice of nurses,
The paper states that the nurses also play a huge role in providing social support to the
patients with cancer in Jordan. Nurses should try to connect with the patients they are
handling which helps I providing comfort to them, compassionate care, transparency and
active listening also help in comforting patients during crucial times like these. This section
of the paper can be utilized by healthcare professionals on a global scale in order to help
provide hope to patients with cancer and also proper care which will help the patients attain
both mental and physical well-being which is important during this time of stress.

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Conclusion
The article reflects on unexplored theme which indirectly helps in contributing to
patients with cancer cope up with the shattering news and makes them positive and gives
them strength to cope up with the stress and the treatment. Religious beliefs and social
support by the family helps in fostering support among the cancer patients in the country
which is present however the healthcare professionals need to design nursing practices which
comfort the cancer patients and also help in fostering hope in them for their overall well-
being.

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Reference
Khater, W. A., & Alkwiese, M. J. (2013). Predictors of hope among patients with cancer in
Jordan. Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing, 15(8), 471-478.