Rough Draft Qualitative Research Critique and Ethical Considerations

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Rough Draft Qualitative Research Critique and Ethical Considerations

Introduction

            Varicose veins of the lower limbs are some of the major health issues encountered in nursing practice.  Varicose veins may lead to other complications, such as varicose vein ulcers, which may take a long time to heal. Patients should be educated and motivated to be adhere appropriately graded-elastic compression stockings (GECS) therapy (Gong et al., 2020).  Patient education on the seriousness and potential complications of lower limb varicose veins as well as educated and motivated to adhere appropriately to GECS therapy.

Background of the Study

            The aim of Gong et al. (2020) was to identify the reasons for non-compliance of lower limb varicose veins patients to GECS. Research question focused on identifying factors that contribute to non-adherence to GECS through use of a descriptive qualitative research design (Gong et al., 2020).  Poor compliance to GECS can worsen disease progression and complications of lower limb varicose veins. Non-adherence to GECS may result in ulcers and secondary edema. Besides, non-adherence may increase the risk of recurrence of varicose ulcers (Gong et al., 2020).

            Objectives of Kath et al. (2016) was to identify the benefits of skin care products incorporated into compression stockings and to investigate the impact of the effectiveness of compression stocking in management of varicose veins (Kath et al., 2016). The study was conducted to develop an understanding on whether aloe vera products can have beneficial outcomes in compression therapy as well as to identify the appropriate length of compression stockings with the optimum beneficial outcomes (Kath et al., 2016).

Support of Nursing Practice Issue

            Compression therapy is one of the major treatment approaches for varicose veins. GECS are considered as the mainstay therapy for managing lower limb varicose veins. GECS may help delay progression of the disease and reduce the risk of complications such as varicose vein ulcers. The treatment approach can also improve quality of life as well as improve treatment outcomes in patients who are diagnosed with chronic venous diseases. Due to potential benefits of GECS in treatment of varicose veins, nurses should understand factors that may contribute to poor adherence to GECS. Improved adherence to GECS may lead to improved treatment outcomes (Gong et al., 2020).  Gong and colleagues (2020) stress the importance of increased engagement of healthcare staff in educating patients on varicose veins and the usefulness of using GECS. On the other hand, Kath et al. (2016) pointed out that compression therapy has important roles in managing outcomes after varicose vein therapy. Compression therapy can help minimize side effects such as postoperative bleeding, pain, edema, and hematoma (Kath et al., 2016). However, the length of the compression stocking does not play a significant role in determining the effectiveness of compression stockings but oleo vera can reduce the risk of pruritus (Kath et al., 2016).

Method of Study

Gong and colleagues (2020) used a purposive sample of 10 varicose vein patients who had been recommended to use GECS. The sample included patients who had been diagnosed with varicose veins of the lower limb for more than 10 years. In addition, they had reported poor adherence to GECS. The purpose was to collect their views and rationale for poor adherence to GECS through various data collection approaches including semi-structured interviews, face-to-face interviews, and in-depth interviews (Gong et al., 2020). Since Gong and colleagues (2020) collected primarily qualitative data they employed a phenomenological approach to analyze the data and interpret the results. Collected data was primarily based on subjective experiences of the participants (Gong et al., 2020). 

Kath et al. (2016) used a convenient sample of 160 participants to investigate the effectiveness of addition of aloe vera to compression stockings as well as the effectiveness of length of the compression stockings. The 160 participants were then randomly assigned into four groups; in which a particular group (40 participants) received different type of intervention. It included a thigh-length stocking; thigh length stocking with aloe vera; knee-length stocking (length A-D) and a knee length stocking with Aloe vera group (Kath et al., 2016). Kath and colleagues (2016) collected data using tools such as free-Text questionnaire, Freiburger Questionnaire of Quality of Life in Venous Disease and Patient Benefit Index.

Results of Study

            Reasons for non-adherence to GECS by varicose vein patients include disadvantages of GECS, gaps in GECS therapy knowledge as treatment approach for lower limb varicose veins, sociopsychological factors, and few recommendations from nurses and doctors. However, there is poor understanding of varicose veins. For instance, affected patients see varicose veins as not a serious disease (Gong et al., 2020). Besides, there is poor understanding among patients on what is GECS, its use, and some sees it as useless. On the other hand, there is inadequate health education regarding varicose veins and GECS, and that there is concern that GECS is non-standardized prescription. Disadvantages of GECS include difficulties associated with its use and the associated discomfort. Sociopsychological factors include perceived ugliness and expensive nature of GECS (Gong et al., 2020).  In their study, Kath and colleagues (2016) established that the degree of hematoma and bleeding can be reduced through the use of compression stockings; however, the length of the compression stocking does no play a significant role in this effect. Therefore, thigh length compression stockings do not show superior effects compared to knee length compression stockings (Kath et al., 2016). Kath et al. (2016) also found that addition of aloe vera to the compression stockings is useful in to reducing the risk of pruritus.

Ethical Considerations

            The study conducted by Gong et al. (2020) involved human participants, and thus research ethics were observed. Gong and colleagues (2020) ensured that all participants had provided verbal informed consent via a standard script before being engaged in the interviews. In addition, Gong and colleagues (2020) ensured that their study had been approved by the Ethics Committees of China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University before embarking on it.  Similarly, Kath and colleagues (2016) obtained signed informed consent from 160 study participants, before involving them in the study. Both studies, reviewed in this paper, highlighted that any study that involves the use of human participants, one has to seek informed consent and adhere to established ethical guidelines.