Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that has recently developed more medical attention and knowledge. In the beginning years of this disease, the life expectancy was around the late 20s to early 30s. New medical technology and pharmaceuticals have prolonged the patient’s life expectancy to the late 60s. This improvement has uncovered new issues from cystic fibrosis such as infertility. As new research studies arise, they have all shown that this disease has an impact on fertility rates.
Month: April 2023
Final Reflection
Reflecting back on the evolution of this research paper, I have learned a lot about myself as a future nurse. I have learned that nursing is about helping people get better in the present moment and making the future better by introducing new policies, medications, and procedures. This is very important as this is an ever-changing profession. As new technology and disease arise it is important to re-evaluate the current practices to find the best outcome for the patients. As nurses, we have personal experiences that can provide insight as to what is working on a unit and what may need improvement. This is where evidence-based practice comes into play within the nursing profession. For this assignment, we were able to work with a peer. This has improved my communication skills, time management, and interpersonal compatibility. I have learned how to delegate certain tasks to my partner in order to break up the workload. I also learned how to read research articles and evaluate whether or not they are reliable. This is important because I may need to develop new guidelines for my floor based on the evidence from various articles. All in all, I have learned that a nurse has many roles and responsibilities some of which may change the course of our practice for the better!
Ethical Considerations for EBP
My understanding of the nurse’s role in the ethical conduct of research has changed immensely. I had not thought about how long ethics has been a part of the healthcare profession. I understand that nurses and doctors alike are in charge of holding each other accountable when confronted with an ethical dilemma. As a nurse, a big part of our job is to advocate for our patients and provide them with all of the information in order to create an informed decision about their care. It is important for nurses to understand the historical importance of the principles of research ethics because it creates a similar point of view from a different time period. This is the same issue but in a different way. This movie shows the disastrous consequences of going against the right thing to do. In the view of the doctor, it seems as though they are creating a historical study with data that will make them famous regardless of the expected outcome which is death. The nurse in this movie is faced with charges due to her role in letting this study happen even though it was very unethical. The nurse knew what she was doing and was opposed to it at first. She tried to encourage the use of penicillin once it was confirmed to treat syphilis but the doctors shot down her request for the sake of the study. This historical movie is important to watch because things like this still happen today. It is important to be the change you want to see for your patients. Throughout this course, I have learned how to ethically collect, analyze, and document research. I am now able to participate in evidence-based practice initiatives with knowledge about the past and how it has shaped research and clinical practice today. This ability is very important when providing the best care for my patients
Assumptions
I assume that a nurse contributes to the conduct of research by making sure consent is given. In the pre-surgery units, a nurse is in charge of making sure that consent has been given. It is not our job to obtain it. I also think that a nurse has to make sure that the study is not violating any state or medical laws and guidelines. This can include the population that the study can use as well as the use of new medications or procedures. We must have a moral compass to navigate these muddy waters when conducting research. This is not only a skill that is used in research but especially in clinical practice.
Appraisal and Synthesis
I discovered many new things about fertility in women diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. My original assumption was that women with this disease have little to no ability to conceive naturally. As I analyzed our research studies, I was pleasantly surprised with the results. Women with cystic fibrosis have a slightly decreased ability to conceive naturally and if they need an alternative means such as IVF, this usually works. This finding will impact my future as a nurse, by being able to provide the best support and education for patients with CF. Having a support system is beneficial when dealing with the conception of a child. I may be able to educate the patient on alternative ways to become pregnant that have been effective for other women with this condition. As I reflect on this project, I have enjoyed the individual steps that have been helping me with the paper in little pieces. This has helped me with my time management skills considering I have other classes that are just as important. An issue that my partner and I have run into is dissecting the information in our articles. The evidence table and the critical appraisal worksheets have helped us break down all of the evidence in a manageable way.
