NR 439 Week 6 Assignment Reading Research Literature (RRL) Worksheet

Name

Chamberlain University

NR-439: RN Evidence-Based Practice

Prof. Name

Date

NR 439 Week 6 Assignment Reading Research Literature (RRL) Worksheet

Directions: Complete the following worksheet based on the required article for the current session.

Name:
Date: February 14, 2021

Purpose of the Study

The objective of this study was to distinguish between effective and ineffective Active Empathetic Listening (AEL) behaviors by nurses, as perceived by adult inpatients in an acute care hospital. The researchers aimed to determine if active listening behaviors, such as maintaining eye contact, facing the patient, and using facial expressions, positively impact the patient’s overall experience. Since nurses have the most interaction with patients, understanding these behaviors is crucial. Patient dissatisfaction, particularly with communication, has been linked to hospitals receiving reduced Medicare payments due to poor survey results (Myers, 2020).

Research & Design

A quantitative comparison between two groups was used to assess whether patients could identify differences in nurses’ AEL behaviors. The study also examined whether demographic factors influenced the patients’ perception of AEL, and which specific AEL behaviors patients found significant. The data collection occurred through a survey sent to patients via email or postal mail, depending on the contact information provided during their hospital admission. This quantitative design allowed researchers to analyze participant responses by scoring and categorizing them based on the presence or absence of AEL behaviors (Myers, 2020).

Sample

The study took place in a large metropolitan hospital in the south-central United States. Participants were selected from acute care medical and surgical units. They had to be recently discharged (within 15 days), at least 18 years old, English-speaking, and possess a valid email or postal address. The inclusion criteria ensured that the sample consisted of adult patients capable of understanding and responding to the survey appropriately (Myers, 2020).

Data Collection

After obtaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals, the Principal Investigator (PI) worked with the hospital’s Health System Information Systems Department to identify eligible patients for the study. Over 5,000 surveys were distributed, with 3,000 sent via email and 2,000 by mail. The data collection process took place over eight months, resulting in 305 completed and returned surveys. Based on their responses, participants were categorized into either group A or group B, depending on their reported experience with AEL behaviors (Myers, 2020).

Data Analysis

The researchers employed cross-tabulation using the chi-square test (Pearson chi-square and Cramer’s V) to examine whether demographic variables—such as gender, ethnicity, surgical or medical status, primary language, and recent readmissions—affected patients’ perceptions of AEL behaviors. This analysis was critical to identify potential disparities in care based on demographic differences and to determine if specific groups experienced a more positive interaction with nurses exhibiting AEL behaviors (Myers, 2020).

Limitations

One major limitation noted was the lack of personal contact with patients before their discharge. Informing patients about the survey and the study might have increased the response rate, as many patients were unaware that they were selected to participate. The low response rate may have resulted in a sample that did not fully represent the broader population, leading to potential biases or inaccuracies in the data (Myers, 2020).

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Findings/Discussion

This study initiated exploration into understanding Active Empathetic Listening from the patient’s perspective. However, several questions remain unanswered. For instance, while there was a demonstrated correlation between the presence of AEL and patient satisfaction, the study did not address whether AEL behaviors affected long-term outcomes, such as patient adherence to post-discharge education. Additional research is needed to determine the full impact of AEL behaviors on patient outcomes (Myers, 2020).

Reading Research Literature

Understanding research literature is essential for grasping the study’s purpose, its target population, and the effects of the outcomes. Comprehending research allows healthcare professionals to evaluate whether certain practices would be beneficial in their own settings. This worksheet facilitated the breakdown of complex research into more digestible sections, making it easier to extract key points and gain a better understanding of the study (Myers, 2020).

NR 439 Week 6 Assignment Reading Research Literature (RRL) Worksheet

References

Myers, K., Krepper, R., Nibert, A., & Toms, R. (2020). Nurses’ active empathetic listening behaviors from the voice of the patient. Nursing Economics, 38(5), 267-276.