Research Methods in the Context of Health and Social Care
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This essay is a critique of the research article Diabetes team consultation: “Impact on length of stay of diabetic patients admitted to a short-stay unit” by Puig, J et al., published in 2007 in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice journal.
A critique is `the process of assessing and interpreting evidence by systematically considering its validity, results and relevance´ as said by Parkes (2001:10) and additionally, Parahoo (2006:111) indicated that the aim of a critique is to explain how the research had been carried out by the researchers, critic its accuracy; evaluate its process and check data validity and reliability.
The location of the research presented in this article and my workplace are both located at short stay units (SSU) with endocrinology teams, this is one of the reasons I have chosen this publication, besides, an equal unpublished research study has been carried out in my work place on the same topic.
Diabetes affects the recovery of patients and has many related co-morbidities. It increases the risk of patient relapse or deterioration and also adds significantly to the cost of recovery Certified Accountants (ACCA; Harrison, R., and Knowles, E., 2011) The Cost of and more generally to the cost of health care. To illustrate the importance of diabetes in the UK, the Association of Chartered Care:Preview new research from ACCA and the Audit Commission which questions how effective care pathways have been so far. Health Service Review. Available from: http://www2.accaglobal.com/pubs/members/publications/sector_magazines/health_service_review/archive/2011/82/cost_care.pdf [Accessed 30/03/12]
found that when looking at care for patients with diabetes mellitus. It is a popular area for pathway development and a fast growing issue, both in terms of population and patient cost with an estimated cost of £9 billion per year, accounting for 10% of all NHS spending...