Research Critique

Problem Statement

The study seeks to address the problem of unmet health needs for colorectal cancer patients. Evidence shows that colorectal cancer patients often lack nurse counselling support to effectively manage symptoms and side effects (Reiter et al., 2021). Further, despite weight loss being a common occurrence among colorectal patients, most of them lack access to nutritional support, resulting in poor health outcomes. With the growing incidence of cancer globally, it is important to develop interventions aimed at addressing these patient care deficits. Thus, the problem the study was conducted to resolve is an important one for nurses to explore because it seeks to address a real and major health issue that nurses should try to address through the application of evidence-based practice.

Study Purpose

The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of nutritional and oncology nurse counselling as an intervention for improving nutritional behaviour and side effects management among colorectal cancer patients (Reiter et al., 2021). This is significant to nursing because colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer, and patients often face a long and difficult treatment journey. One of the most important things that nurses can do to support these patients is to help them maintain a healthy diet. Good nutrition can help to improve survival rates and quality of life, as well as reducing the risk of side effects from treatment. Nutritional counselling from a nurse who is specially trained in oncology can be an invaluable assistance for patients striving to make healthy choices. Oncology nurses are also uniquely positioned to provide support with managing side effects from treatment, such as fatigue, pain, and nausea. By helping patients to better understand and cope with these side effects, oncology nurses can have a significant impact on their overall wellbeing. In conclusion, the effectiveness of nutritional and oncology nurse counselling is significant to nursing due to the vital role it plays in supporting colorectal cancer patients.

Research Question

The research question was: What differences are there in self-management among colorectal patients in a control group and two subsets of interventions groups one which receives in and outpatient nurse counselling support services and another that receives only in-patient counselling support? (Reiter et al., 2021, p. 1790). The hypothesis was that systematic nutritional counselling and in and out-patient nurse counselling significantly improved self-management in nutritional behaviour and side effects management among colorectal cancer patients.

Study Variables

The independent variables were systematic nutritional counselling and oncology nurse counselling. The dependent variable was patient self-management regarding nutritional behaviour and side effects management.

Conceptual/Theoretical Framework

The conceptual framework was based on Antonovskys salutogenesis and Collins and Rochforts empowerment, the goal being to promote autonomous decision-making on the part of the patient. The framework was applied via targeted knowledge transfer and practical guidance. For the intervention, participating patients received instruction and resources to support them. Other than this application of a framework, no theory was specified as being a guide for the study. A structured nurse-led counseling concept was used for evaluating the in and out-patient counseling services.

Review of Related Literature

The literature does support the need for this study. The research cited in the literature review section indicated specifically that more appropriate nursing interventions were needed to address the numerous issues apparent in the literature indicating deficits in care. The authors reasoned that a complex intervention should be tried as an experiment...

…study, the sample size and factual nature of the questions asked made a questionnaire a suitable tool for the study. Finally, there is also the consideration that the researcher should think about how much time and resources are available for data collection. If time is limited, or if there are budget constraints, then using a questionnaire may be the most efficient way to collect data from participants (Baker, 2003).

Data Collection Methods

The data collection methods were appropriate for the study as there were pre- and post-intervention data collected to provide a baseline for the control group and intervention group. The questionnaire facilitated the longitudinal aspect of the study as well. There was no discussion of protecting the rights of patients in the review of the methods employed.

Data Analysis Procedures

Data analysis included the use of SPSS descriptive statistics using univariate methods and relative frequencies, and Pearsons nonparametric test for independence of paired variables. Frequency tables can be used to summarize categorical data, while means and tandard deviations can be used to summarize continuous data. Additionally, correlation and regression analyses can be used to examine the relationship between two or more variables.

Strengths/Limitations

The major strengths of this study were its collection of quantifiable, verifiable data using a clear methodology that could be duplicated to test validity. The main limitation, however, was the sample size, as Reiter et al. (2021) themselves point out. The sample was also non-randomized and the experiment only quasi, which further limits the generalizeability of the study.

Implications

Interventions like the one tested here could improve patient quality of care. Furthermore, the study indicates that outpatient counseling should be available to all cancer patients who need it. Further research may be needed in…