Strategies for data collection

Data collection is essential in every hospital facility. Policy formulation and decision making depend significantly on the data provided. Assessment of factors that hinder adoption of self-care management practices will require adequate research on political, social and economic aspects in communities and specific households. A critical incident technique is one strategy employed in the collection of data in projects that require accuracy of data that can aid in decision making.

Critical incident technique

The critical incident technique entails steps taken in collecting observable behavior that have vital importance in analyses of a disease condition before a treatment is administered. A health care practitioner observes the patient’s behavior and identifies some of the aspects that will guide in determining the problem (da Silva & Christovam, 2014, p.432). Elements observed may include frequency of urination, pulse rates, coughing, pain complains and variation in body temperature and blood pressure within a specified period. The data collected aids in establishing the disease that the client may be suffering from. A decision on how to address the problem is made through an analysis of possible solutions. Finally, an evaluation is done to establish the degree to which the selected solution will aid in solving the problem as well as preventing it from future occurrence.

Importance of Critical incident technique

The critical incident technique, unlike other data collection methods, is based on observation of signs exhibited by the patient as opposed to relying on information heard. This technique has various advantages: It gives the health care provider to engage with the hence getting first hand and accurate information concerning the patient. This aids in the design of appropriate medications that will enhance the wellness of patients.

The method provides a rich source of knowledge for healthcare providers. The regular observation of the patient’s behavior and signs of the ailment helps in identifying some of the aspects that could not be identified through interviews (Bott & Tourish, 2016, p.283). Also, the continued observation of the patient prevents the patients from giving information that is false regarding their sickness. The approach also involved the gathering of data for a considerable period. This helps in the development of a friendship relationship between the healthcare providers and the patients (da Silva & Christovam, 2014, p.433). The association is essential when the healthcare provider needs to get more information from the client. This aids in the openness of the patients in giving as much information as possible concerning their conditions.

Furthermore, the critical incident technic is a guide in nature hence controls the roles to be performed by each party involved. In gathering data about a certain illness, the nurse will be guided on what to look for hence influencing the patient towards the desired direction. This is important in gathering data that could have been too sensitive to be provided by the patient.

Application of critical incident technique in the project

The project aims at demonstrating the practical strategies that can be implemented to overcome the obstacles caused by race towards the implementation of personalized management intervention in regulating blood glucose levels. The critical incident technique will be applied in observing cultural practices of the Hispanic community that limit their adoption of self-care interventions. The analysis will help establish some of the gaps in the culture, their influence on quality care and some of the strategies that could be adopted to overcome the cultural barriers. Also, since the technique entails long time observation, the customs of the community will be monitored and ways of incorporating the traditions into self-management intervention sought. This will aid in advocating for better management practices that are in line with Hispanic culture.

References

Bott, G., & Tourish, D. (2016). The critical incident technique reappraised. Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management: An International Journal, 11(4), 276-300. Doi:   10.1108/QROM-01-2016-1351

da Silva, C. T., & Christovam, B. P. (2014). Organizational guidelines for care provision         management in nephrology: Analysis of critical incidents. Online Brazilian Journal of    Nursing, 13(suppl I), 431-434. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.5935/1676-         4285.20144981