Excellent Patient Care Processes in Poor Hospitals? Why Hospital-Level and Patient-Level Care Quality-Outcome Relationships Can Differ

1.      General Study Orientation

            The research study conducted on patient care process in poor hospitals is a quantitative research study. In the research, the conclusion is drawn on the basis of customer perception and experiences (Finney, Humphreys, Kivlahan, & Harris, 2016). In such type of research studies where responses are required at a large scale, quantitative study orientation can provide a better understanding of responses as compared to the qualitative study. Therefore, researcher choice is appropriate for this research topic.   

2.      Sample technique

           In the sampling process, 100 samples from the whole population of the selected hospitals are selected through random sampling technique. Random sampling can reduce chances of error and biases as it provides an equal probability of selection to each person in the population. According to critical analysis researcher controlled sampling biases that increase the validity and reliability of the research findings.      

3.      Sample Characteristics

             In the research article, sample characteristics are not mentioned in enough detail that reduces the value of the research article (Finney, Humphreys, Kivlahan, & Harris, 2016). Somehow, from reading the article it seems that researcher selected samples randomly from the selected hospitals without making the differentiation in respect to gender, age, and socio-economic status Researcher should present characteristics of the samples clearly in the methodology section of the article thus readers can understand research in a better way.       

4.      Choice of research design strategy

            The research design strategy is an experimental design that investigated the variables to find out the conclusions. In the research, there are some limitations because of confounding variables such as social desirable behavior. There are chances that responses of some patients (participants) are biased because of their personal or environmental influence. Omitting confounding variables and ecological fallacy are major limitations and problems for the research study.         

5.      The process of Instrument Development

           In the research study, two scale instrument was developed presenting two possible responses yes or no. this instrument was developed in the light of research design and required outcomes, therefore, the instrument is capable to deliver information only about the existence of poor outcomes. Research results are generalizable for only the healthcare sector as it only addresses patient experiences and views about the hospitals (Finney, Humphreys, Kivlahan, & Harris, 2016). Therefore these results cannot be generalized for educational, industrial sectors or healthcare sectors in other geographical regions. 

6.      Data Analysis and Interpretation

               In the research study, statistical measures are also used for data analysis. Mean, percentage, and aggregation analysis are used for data analysis. While the researcher also used tables to present data analysis results. According to the analysis of research article method of data analysis and interpretation are appropriate somehow, the researcher could make it better by presenting methodology and data results separately.    

7.      Other Analysis

In the research study, hypothetical data is used but limited information is available about the developed hypothesis and research questions.     

References

Finney, J. W., Humphreys, K., Kivlahan, D. R., & Harris, A. H. (2016). Excellent Patient Care Processes in Poor Hospitals? Why Hospital-Level and Patient-Level Care Quality-Outcome Relationships Can Differ. Journal of general internal medicine, 31(1), 74-77. Retrieved 02 17, 2019