Types of Nursing Research That Can Be Conducted

Research is an important component of the medical field as it expands our knowledge of disease processes and leads to advances in treatment. Research also improves the way health care is delivered. There are many types of research available in the field of nursing.

Diagnosis Specific

• Research can be conducted on a particular medical diagnosis to gain insight into the physical effects it has on an individual as well as the way it impacts their ability to perform activities of daily living. This research provides information to other disciplines which can then develop specific interventions to address these functional limitations. Diagnosis specific research can also assess the side effects of a particular medication and whether the intervention is producing the desired results. This information will in turn help guide the physician's decision making process. Researching trends in the most commonly treated diagnoses determines where time and financial resources should be directed.

Standards of Care

• Research in the area of health care delivery provides information vital to determining standards of care in a particular aspect of nursing. Studies that examine the timeliness of patient care help determine proper staffing levels. Statistical data can be collected and analyzed through the use of patient satisfaction surveys. This data will reveal any areas in need of improvement as well as nursing practices that are successful. Cross-cultural research improves the delivery of health care services to patients with varying backgrounds and customs.

Prevention

• Nurses have the opportunity to educate patients about the prevention of disease and injury as well as the promotion of healthy lifestyle choices. Researching the risk factors for certain illnesses and behaviors leads to the development of interventions and programs that address these areas. HIV prevention, obesity related education programs and drug abuse interventions are examples of programs resulting from this type of research. Collecting and analyzing data about hospital-acquired illness or injury leads to the development of improved treatment protocols. Fall prevention programs and bed sore prevention protocols resulted from this type of research.