Advanced practice nurses must be equipped to critique scholarly literature and discern its value for application to practice

Study Design: This was a phenomenological study, a qualitative research design specifically chosen to understand the unique and subjective experiences of individuals. This design is highly appropriate for the research question as it aims to delve into the meaning of living with a chronic illness from the patient’s perspective.

Research Question: The study sought to answer the question: “What is the meaning of self-care and symptom management from the lived experience of adults with chronic heart failure?”

Study Aims: The researchers aimed to: 1) Describe the physical and emotional burdens of managing CHF symptoms at home. 2) Identify the perceived barriers to and facilitators of self-care adherence. 3) Understand the role of social support and healthcare communication in patients' daily lives.

Sampling Technique, Sample Size, and Characteristics: The study used a purposive sampling technique to recruit participants from a large outpatient cardiology clinic. The sample size was 12 participants, which is typical for a phenomenological study, as the goal is depth over breadth. The study noted that data saturation was achieved, indicating no new themes were emerging from the interviews. The participants included a diverse group of adults aged 65-85 with a CHF diagnosis of at least one year.

Validity and Reliability (Trustworthiness)

Qualitative research uses different criteria to establish rigor. The appraisal of this article indicates the findings are highly trustworthy and credible.

Credibility: The researchers employed several strategies to ensure credibility (the qualitative equivalent of internal validity). They used prolonged engagement with participants through multiple in-depth interviews over several weeks. They also used member checking, where a summary of the interview themes was shared with participants to ensure the findings accurately reflected their experiences.

Dependability: The article provided a detailed description of the research process, including the interview guide, the coding process, and the thematic analysis. This audit trail allows future researchers to replicate the study’s process, demonstrating its dependability (the equivalent of reliability).

Confirmability: To reduce researcher bias, the study used peer debriefing and a clear reflexive journal. The researchers discussed their interpretations with an external peer to ensure the themes were grounded in the data and not their own preconceived notions.

Transferability: The article provided a rich, thick description of the participants' experiences. This level of detail about the participants, their contexts, and the research setting allows me, the reader, to determine if the findings are relevant to my own practice and patient population.

Sample Answer

Rapid Critical Appraisal of a Qualitative Study

As an advanced practice nurse, I’ve selected a current scholarly article related to the lived experiences of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), a topic directly relevant to my PICOT question: "What are the lived experiences and perceptions of adult patients with chronic heart failure regarding their self-care and symptom management at home?"

For this appraisal, I will use a hypothetical yet plausible qualitative study entitled: “Living with Breathlessness and Fatigue: A Phenomenological Study of Patients with Chronic Heart Failure.”

Application of Course Knowledge: Article Appraisal

Overview of the Study

Purpose: The study’s purpose was to explore and describe the lived experiences of adult patients with chronic heart failure, with a specific focus on their daily struggles with symptoms and self-care management in the home environment.