HLT54115 Nursing

Write a critique of a published research paper. Your submission should contain evidence of the following:-
a. Explanation of purpose of paper
b. Have addressed critical appraisal questions that are relevant to the paper
c. Have made an evaluation of the article
d. Explained the applicability to your practice Journal to be used is “Health literacy: how nurses can make a difference”

Critical appraisal is the systematic approach to evaluation of a research article based on its trustworthiness, significant and contribution in particular practice context. It enables a reviewer to define the reliability and credibility of the research work (Mhaskar et al., 2009). The main purpose of this essay is to critique one research work by Johnson (2015) and evaluate its significance in terms of validity of findings, preciseness of the results and its applicability for target industry.

Johnson (2015) have focused on the need for extending nurse role to promote health literacy among patient and the author strengthened his claim for health literacy with support from previous research article and the statement published by The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality on Health Care. The purpose of research was also clearly stated by the research which was to introduce range of evidence based strategies (intervention) that health professionals as well as nurse implement to create a health literate environment (outcome). From this statement, it is understood that patient or the common public was the population target the research was addressing. The significance of the topic is that poor literacy is the reason that exposes people to risk of many diseases, hence focus on health literacy education will improve health outcomes, reduce burden of health care staffs and maximize the provision of safe health care (Ilgaz and Gözüm, 2016).

To judge the reliability of research article, it is essential to monitor the methods by which the data was obtained. Johnson (2015) did not conduct the research on any target participant to present the result finding. Instead, they have review past article to present evidence based strategies that nurse can use to promote health literacy. The researcher reviewed various past research article to explain about the risk associated with low individual health literacy and the nurse’s estimation of consumer’s health literacy. However, the limitation found in the selection of research article was that the author did not consider the rigor of the study. Besides this, some article were too old to be considered reliable. For instance, some of the articles were as old as 2004 which may not be reliable for the current health care system and current consumer group. No RCT studies were taken too which comes under the top hierarchy of research evidence.

The most important part in the research evidence is the study findings and its trustworthiness for target population group. Johnson (2015)) used a problem solution approach to discuss about the main findings. Firstly, argument from different research article was given to explain how nurses and other health professionals often underestimate or incorrectly identify patient’s health literacy. For instance, Dickens et al. (2013) and Kelly and Haidet (2007) mainly overestimated consumer’s health literacy level. However, in reality many patients did not understood health information and never clarified regarding it too. The strength in reporting about evidence was that the author backed up this argument with support from other research literature too. Hence, communication errors were mainly identified from the research work.

Based on identification wrong approach taken by health care professionals, Johnson (2015) proposed the strategy of effective interpersonal communication and distribution of health material in written and visual form to reduce health literacy demands and improve health outcome. The intervention of effective communication is considered reliable because many patients may struggle to understand health message, however interpersonal communication strategies will enable nurse to create effective health literacy environment for consumer (Allen et al. 2017). The author also evaluated the effect of interpersonal communication on health literacy level by review of past studies. Hence, the evidence based strategy is considered reliable and effectives based on its effectiveness in studies. In addition, the health materials can be regarded as a good proposal by researcher because well-written information can empower consumers to become informed decision maker. Therefore, despite less vigor is selecting articles, the evidence based strategies proposed by () is considered reliable because the author has comprehensively reviewed the effectiveness of strategies by reviewing past studies and supporting them with good arguments too. The researcher also presented outcome of all included studies in a very clear manner.

As this research mainly emphasized on the health care professionals and nurse role in increasing health literacy among consumer, it is also essential to understand whether the above evidence can be applied locally in nursing practice or not. In this term, it can be said that this research evidence can be applied by nurses provide they get necessary support and tools from health care organization. Their own personal commitment towards health literacy may also help them to adapt all the tips given in the article for successful interpersonal communication. On the whole, it can be concluded that the research article is useful for application in health care environment.

Reference:

Allen, M., Auld, E., Logan, R., Montes, J.H. and Rosen, S., 2017. Improving collaboration among health communication, health education, and health literacy. Health communication.

Dickens, C., Lambert, B.L., Cromwell, T. and Piano, M.R., 2013. Nurse overestimation of patients’ health literacy. Journal of health communication, 18(sup1), pp.62-69.

Ilgaz, A. and Gözüm, S., 2016. Importance of health literacy for safe use of complementary health approaches. DEUHFED, 9, pp.67-77.

Johnson, A., 2015. Health literacy: how nurses can make a difference. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, The, 33(2), p.21.

Kelly, P.A. and Haidet, P., 2007. Physician overestimation of patient literacy: a potential source of health care disparities. Patient education and counseling, 66(1), pp.119-122.

Mhaskar, R., Emmanuel, P., Mishra, S., Patel, S., Naik, E. and Kumar, A., 2009. Critical appraisal skills are essential to informed decision-making. Indian journal of sexually transmitted diseases, 30(2), p.112.