Research is defined as a systematic study that is intended to increase the understanding or knowledge of the subject studied while quality improvement consists of a formal approach and systematic actions that lead to measurable improvement in the delivery of healthcare services and the health status of the targeted patient groups (Helbig, 2018). In healthcare, quality improvement and research may appear to be similar because they are both seeking answers to clinical problems while using the same analysis and data collection methods. However, there are different factors in terms of the study’s methods, the participants' recruitment and how the results will be used (Squires & Dorsen, 2018) . Many of the quality improvement activities involve the use of participants that are categorized within an explicit clinical microsystem. However, in research, many of the investigators enlist individuals using approaches that will guarantee the representation of a sample of the population (Helbig, 2018). For example, in a research study, the intervention or treatment methods may remain the same but in quality improvement, the intervention methods change as if they are being evaluated.
Telemedicine is growing at tremendous levels in the healthcare industry as its interventions extend far beyond the interactions between patients and physicians (Squires & Dorsen, 2018) . Through quantitative research, we were able to decrease the time for hospital visits for patients with heart attacks. Through data analysis, we were able to determine the bodily indicators that tend to precede a heart attack (Squires & Dorsen, 2018) . Physicians at my practice are now able to monitor remotely patients’ vital signs through wearables and alerts are sent to the physician when the patient’s indicators become worrisome. This has led to increased efficiency and safety of the patients.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Peer Response
Aminder
I agree with you on the important role that research plays in healthcare. However, research is not only used to answer the hypothesis that the research has but also provide important data about the risk factors, patterns of care and public health interventions (Squires & Dorsen, 2018) . Research is therefore, important in health care because it leads to the developments of new therapies and discoveries as well as improvement in public health and health care (Helbig, 2018). At my practice we have used both qualitative and quantitative research approaches on how to gain a better understanding of the situations at hand. This has enabled us provide patient-centered care in all our units.
Linda
Based on your feedback, there is a lot of factors to consider when determining what quality improvement and research entails. When working on a quality improvement initiative, let us not try to generalize the results of the study as they might not work with other patient settings and populations (Helbig, 2018). However, research findings on the other hand can be generalized to fit different clinical settings as the purpose of research is to develop new information. Research is paramount while working on interventions that are aimed at improving the quality of life of a patient in a health care setting (Squires & Dorsen, 2018) .
Nasreen
To add on what you have already said. Qualitative research is mainly used to provide opinions, insights or the underlying reasons into the problems and also helps in developing the hypothesis that is needed for quantitative research (Squires & Dorsen, 2018) . Quantitative research on the other hand is used to generate numerical data that can be translated into usable statistics. The numerical data is used to quantify other defined variables, opinions and attitudes in order to uncover patterns in research as well as formulate facts. The knowledge that is derived from qualitative research can be used to contribute to community education and awareness about patients who are using assisted conception (for example) (Helbig, 2018) .
References
Squires, A., & Dorsen, C. (2018). Qualitative Research in Nursing and Health Professions Regulation. Journal Of Nursing Regulation , 9(3), 15-26. doi: 10.1016/s2155-8256(18)30150-9
Helbig, J. (2018). Applied Statistics for Health Care : Statistical Analysis. https://lc.gcumedia.com/hlt362v/applied-statistics-for-health-care/v1.1/#/chapter/4
