Name
Capella university
NURS-FPX 9902 Nursing Doctoral Project 2
Prof. Name
October, 2024
Reflection
Hello, I am —. As I close this course, I find it prudent to reflect on the progress of my doctoral project and my growth as a researcher. This is crucial, as it has been a tool enabling me to assess what I have achieved, confront challenges, and recognize areas for improvement. This reflective practice has improved my critical thinking and problem-solving skills. With these, I would be able to navigate through various stages of the project with greater clarity and purpose. Therefore, engaging in this reflective practice deepened not only my understanding of the trajectory of the project but also fostered my personal growth and reaffirmed my commitment to scholarly excellence. This reflection, therefore, will guide me on how to sustain my growth over time with effective strategies for improving my work’s quality altogether.
Improvement Opportunities Related to Literature Synthesis
Considering this, in readiness for a literature synthesis on the proposed PICOT question in the area of interventions for diabetic patients, I realized the use of a systematic and step-by-step approach to the literature search would be ideal. I searched through various databases by relevant keywords and subject headings so as to include all types of literature: from randomized controlled trials to meta-analyses and from clinical guidelines to other literature, thereby not excluding any type of publication. Overall, manually screening all those reference lists and citations in key articles regarding my research question ensured that I would not miss any crucial studies. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria used during the screening process actually helped me hone down to 30 high-quality articles that were relevant to my research question. This diverse collection of studies will provide a strong foundation for understanding the effectiveness of different interventions in diabetes management.
The entire process of literature synthesis brought both successes and challenges. It included the identification of critical patterns as well as common themes within the literature that attract attention to substantial gaps in current knowledge and indicate avenues for further study. Each article, if examined closely, revealed the positive impacts of lifestyle modification and technology-assisted interventions on the glycemic control of diabetic patients. However, inconsistent study designs, plus sample sizes to be compared complicatedly, needed careful interpretation of the findings. Apart from that, the literature volume called for good organization so as not to make my synthesis lose lucidity and coherence. In the future, there are a number of opportunities in the literature synthesis skills which may be improved. I need to engage in the process of improving my ability to critically evaluate the quality of evidence so that I can assess the validity and reliability of studies. This will also benefit a wider spectrum of literature through grey literature searching and non-English studies that can provide even more in-depth insights into diabetes interventions for a more holistic view. Finally, I’ll ensure a systematic approach to organizing the information collected and eventually keep things clear and strengthen the general quality of the literature review.
Support of Project and Practice Decisions
It builds a basic resource that allows for informed decision-making on the projects of research and clinical practices. In consideration of many varieties of already existing studies and evidence and their findings, researchers and practitioners can get an overview of how things stand in the field of diabetes care (Yoong et al., 2023). It is from where they identify gaps in knowledge and base their contribution on the already available body of evidence. Insights from the literature, guide the choice of interventions and the design of studies to be undertaken keeping them in line with best practice guidelines. Furthermore, literature reviews are a source of insight into what works best about treatment, what adverse effects to watch out for, and what needs further investigation thus enabling health professionals to use evidence that hence improves patient outcomes.
This literature review has provided a very useful step in the management of my diabetes intervention by facilitating my strategy of selection and implementation. It enriched me with a treasure trove of information regarding all the effective treatment options, and therefore, I could have a very nuanced appreciation of the current findings in this research study. Furthermore, through the review, I was able to identify the missing gaps in the existing literature and future research areas, which aided me in working my way into crafting my research question. This process helped in revealing how proper study selection can be conducted by developing clear inclusion and exclusion criteria to apply in selecting the studies. Therefore, I focused on the most relevant and high-quality available evidence that would better the insight into their impact on treatment adherence and overall health outcomes and their reinforcement of patient education and self-management in diabetes care (Kumah et al., 2021). The critical engagement with the literature led me to realize the possible limitations within the reviewed studies, which in turn added value to my analysis and interpretation of the evidence.
Improvement Opportunities Related to Collaboration
From my reflection on the collaborations I have had in my doctoral project, I realized that working in an inventive and collaborative atmosphere has been important to my journey. As a result, one of the benefits of my interactions with peers, mentors, and stakeholders from different backgrounds has been my ability to extend my understanding and refine my project objectives. What now has proven invaluable is regular team meetings and brainstorming, together with feedback loops, allowing me to gather various perspectives and enhance the literature review process. Ideas exchanged with other people not only introduced such effective search methodologies but also made me much more aware of some potential obstacles, such as how small sample sizes can impact the outcomes of such studies. This collaborative environment has considerably assisted in building my critical thinking and analytical abilities, thus guaranteeing a more comprehensive synthesis of the literature.
There are very clear benefits for my project related to this collaboration. By working closely with experienced professionals, I have had access to much knowledge that allows me to relate theoretical frameworks to practical applications in my field. Constructive feedback received so far has made it easier for me to perfect my research questions, align the project with current best practices, and explore the real implications of my findings. Collective expertise is so key in helping to dissolve challenges, overcoming setbacks, and moving meaningfully in research. As a result, teamwork has been valued, and teamwork has been further translated into innovation and the development of quality projects.
Despite all these positive impacts, there is still room for improvement in the incorporation of collaboration. One area of room for improvement in terms of collaboration is the need to further nurture interdisciplinary teamwork by incorporating a wide array of subject matter experts. An approach of this nature can foster a greater diversity of insight and inspire creativity, thereby helping to gain a better understanding of complex issues. Bettering communication practices-kept current, with collaborative tools used by the team will help in more efficient sharing of ideas and coordination among the members involved. Strengthening these collaboration aspects would not only enhance the outcome of a project but also collectively enrich individual learning.
Preconceptions, Assumptions, Biases
Quite often, preconceptions, presumptions, and biases that are held by someone may play a very important role in determining his approach to work and the process of decision-making. Most of these internalized beliefs are formed through past experiences, educational background, or the environment one is being brought up or raised. Such belief systems may hugely influence how much information is interpreted or understood; however, these preconceived notions or schemes may be beneficial for providing frames of reference to help fully understand complex issues and can also further restrain or confine alternative thoughts. This can stifle innovation and limit the pursuit of new thinking, which will have a trickle-down effect on the final quality of the work.
To be able to manage the impact that these biases have, there is a need to grow self-awareness and challenge one’s assumptions through reflective practice and seeking feedback from different points of view. Accepting diversity and diversity in decision making can lead to better critical thinking and it may be advantageous to have a diverse understanding of the work under consideration. This not only enriches the analysis but can also create collaboration and dialogue that informs more reasoned and effective outcomes.
Creating an environment welcoming diversity and respect can reduce the effects of bias very significantly. The openness where all specific views are treated will instead allow people to foster the differences of opinion. This makes them have better creativity and solve problems altogether. More fair decision-making processes will also be enhanced. Continuous self-reflection on the existence of various biases and how they can be addressed leads to more sustainable and innovative solutions, and hence, progressive movements in a field and quality results.
Support from Scholarly and Authoritative Sources
Finally, novel understanding as acquired from scholarly and credible sources must be assimilated into such coping strategies to heighten their validity and effectiveness in the management of COPD. For years, numerous studies have proven that interventions in such categories include exercise programs and patient education projects which result in a high impact on the betterment of patients’ quality of life (Helvaci & Gok Metin, 2020). For example, several studies suggested that an organized exercise program could be associated with improved pulmonary function and exercise tolerance, thus reducing symptom severity and improving daily activities.
Established clinical guidelines are one of the important sources used to inform practice according to empirical research. Guidelines by the most important health organizations summarize some of the relevant evidence-based practice recommendations for managing the condition of COPD, focusing greatly on lifestyle modifications and self-management techniques in care management (Sebastião et al., 2023). Apart from summarizing the best available evidence, authoritative documents provide a framework to guide decisions on the part of healthcare professionals within which they can make their clinical decisions consistent with contemporary standards of care.
Also, information synthesized from systematic reviews and meta-analyses will help advocate appropriate interventions. While synthesizing pieces of different evidence, one can also argue that the specific interventions will be included in practice based on them. This integration of scholarly support not only strengthens the case for implementing specific practices but also enhances the overall effectiveness of the management plan for COPD patients, thereby increasing positive health outcomes and quality of life (Hindelang et al., 2020).
Evaluation of Relevance
Evaluating sources in relevance is essential to ensure that information used in decision-making is valid and applicable to the matter at hand. One good approach would be to apply tools that can assess whether the information is current, relevant, authoritative, accurate, and purposeful by using the CRAAP test. This provides researchers with the opportunity to gauge the credibility of the information in a source for particular claims that they wish to make and determine whether it provides up-to-date and dependable information (Purssell & McCrae, 2020). In this respect, for example, how long ago a source was published can make it fail to provide an image of the current status of affairs or even research findings on the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
In addition to the CRAAP test, the RADAR framework introduces another lens through which to judge the relevance of sources. Its approach focuses on this issue by suggesting that any information deemed relevant to the research question would be considered relevant and appropriate in terms of presentation and professionalism, apart from its credentials by the author or organization. Applying both the CRAAP and RADAR tests would help a person build an appropriate and all-around sense of the value of a source in supporting related claims within the management of COPD. This process was after all meant to make the process of decision-making rather more informative and effective on the grounds that the evidence utilized is credible but still closer to what is being applied in the specific context of research.
NURS FPX 9902 Assessment 5 Literature Synthesis Conclusion
This project, therefore, synthesized a synthesis of literature and collaboration that have been very helpful in stimulating good thoughts within my own understanding and the pathway of my research on interventions regarding COPD (Sun et al., 2021). Through this scholarly evaluation process and with collaborative insight, I better understand how nutritional and telehealth strategies enhance effective patient outcomes. Realizing the interference of preconceptions, assumptions, and biases, I can now develop my work more objectively and inclusively, which has led to more robust decision-making. As I continue, lessons learned coupled with the support acquired from the authority sources will provide a sound basis for further development and implementation of evidence-based practices in the care management of COPD.
NURS FPX 9902 Assessment 5 Literature Synthesis References
Helvaci, A., & Gok, Z. (2020). The effects of nurse‐driven self‐management programs on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 76(11). https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14505
Hindelang, M., Kirsch, F., & Leidl, R. (2020). Effectiveness of non-pharmacological COPD management on health-related quality of life – a systematic review. Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/14737167.2020.1734455
Kumah, E., Afriyie, E. K., Abuosi, A. A., Ankomah, S. E., Fusheini, A., & Otchere, G. (2021). Influence of the model of care on the outcomes of diabetes self-management education program: a scoping review. Journal of Diabetes Research, 2021, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/2969243
Purssell, E., & McCrae, N. (2020). How to perform a systematic literature review. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-49672-2
Sebastião, B. F., Hortelão, R. M., Granadas, S. S., Faria, J., Raquel, J., & Helga, R. (2023). Air quality self-management in asthmatic patients with COPD: An integrative review for developing nursing interventions to prevent exacerbations. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2023.12.003
Sun, X., Wang, D., Wang, M., Li, H., & Liu, B. (2021). The reporting and methodological quality of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses of nursing interventions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ‐ A systematic review. Nursing Open. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.767
Yoong, S. L., Bolsewicz, K., Reilly, K., Williams, C., Wolfenden, L., Grady, A., Kingsland, M., Finch, M., & Wiggers, J. (2023). Describing the evidence-base for research engagement by health care providers and health care organisations: a scoping review. BMC Health Services Research, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08887-2
