Respond  using one or more of the following approaches:

Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information, and evidence.

Make a suggestion based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings.

Expand on your colleagues’ postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence.

                                        Main Post

Qualitative Design            

Evidence-based research provides quality information that is tested and proven to be credible and reliable.  For this post, I will discuss the qualitative design used in a study by Vandyk, Young, MacPhee & Gillis (2018) on Exploring the Experiences of Persons Who Frequently Visit the Emergency Department for Mental Health-Related Reasons.  The qualitative study I chose uses interpretive design as the methodology to decipher information that was clinically significant (Vandyk, Young, MacPhee, & Gillis, 2018).  The interpretive design focuses on themes and patterns from participants to make informed decisions regarding the patient experience (Vandyk et al., 2018).  This type of design assumes that numerous theories can be interpreted to provide vital information that can encourage change in clinical practices.           This study was initiated to explore and gain insight into the experiences of mental health patients who visit the emergency department (ED) repeatedly.  It is estimated that psych patients present to the ED five times more than other patients (Vandyk et al., 2018).  These patients are often met by unfriendly ED staff who are annoyed because of their frequent visits.  The purpose of this study was to openly interview ten participants who had visited the ED 12 or more times within a year and discuss their experiences (Vandyk et al., 2018).  The ethical considerations included obtaining informed consent from the participants, the interviewers could not have a prior relationship with the participants, and data was anonymized in team meanings in order to discuss findings (Vandyk et al., 2018).  The researchers used these considerations to control bias and protect patient’s rights.          The use of a qualitative interpretive design uncovered themes from the interview findings.  Based on Williamson (2009), qualitative research seeks to define the participants experience through insight and reality.  These insights produced themes consisting of the participant’s experience, the provider’s response to them, and protective factors used to motivate patients outside of the hospital setting (Vandyk et al., 2018).              Conversely, a quantitative design is better used to gather evidence that is precise and easily decodable (Polit & Beck, 2017).  If a quantitative design were used in this study, it would skew the results because the number of participants was minimal and the evidence was not easily deciphered.  Also, when assessing a patient’s thoughts, emotions, and personal observations, there is no precise measurement available.  Therefore, it is essential to use the correct research design in order to provide information that is correct, valid, and reliable.  ReferencesPolit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (10th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.Vandyk, A., Young, L., MacPhee, C., & Gillis, K. (2018). Exploring the experiences of persons who frequently visit the emergency department for mental health-related reasons. Qualitative Health Research, 28(4), 587-599. doi:/10.1177/1049732317746382Williamson, K. (2009). Evidence-based practice: Critical appraisal of qualitative evidence. Journal of American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 15(3), 202-207. doi:/10.1177/078390309338733