The Cardiac Care Bridge Program

Quantitative Article Critique
Student Name
Institutional Affiliation
Date
Quantitative Article Critique
Authors: L. Verweij, P. Jepma, B. M. Buurman, C. H. M. Latour, R. H. H. Engelbert, G. ter Riet, F. Karapinar-Çarkit, S. Daliri, R. J. G. Peters and W. J. M. Scholte op Reimer
Title: The cardiac care bridge program: design of a randomized trial of nurse-coordinated transitional care in older hospitalized cardiac patients at high risk of readmission and mortality
Journal Title: BMC Health Services Research
Volume number: 18, Issue 508
Year: 2018
Pages: 1-13
Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3301-9
The nursing practice should be based on extensive research. Nurses are critical in the healthcare system, and hence any information that empowers them goes a long way in enhancing clients' health outcomes. Verweij and others (2018) have attempted to generate nursing knowledge that can help reduce readmission and mortality among older adults with cardiac disease. An analysis of a nursing article is vital because it demonstrates its effectiveness in the nursing profession. It ensures that nurses rely on evidence that has been examined to determine its effectiveness.
This quantitative article critique seeks to present both the strengths and weaknesses of the article.
The title
The title of the article is appropriate and clear. The title presents the issue under investigation, the cardiac care bridge program, which is well displayed. The authors have summarized the main idea of the article in a concise way. Reading the article demonstrates that the authors are undertaking a randomized trial of a program to ensure the coordinated care of a particular group of patients. The title further identifies the relationship between the issues under examination. In this case, the authors demonstrate the role of nurses in ensuring coordinated transitional care for older hospitalized cardiac clients who are at a high risk of readmission and mortality. Moreover, the authors have spelled out all the terms in the title. At no given time have the researchers used abbreviations, which has ensured accuracy.
However, the title is too long, with 26 words. The recommended length is no more than 12 words, yet the investigators have used more than double the recommended length. The use of too many words makes it less concise and cumbersome for readers. The authors have attempted to contain too many details in the title, significantly increasing its length. The article focuses on several key messages rather than one, which has forced the authors to include too many details. The long title takes longer to read and understand. Readers have to try to understand the intent of the authors, which requires them to examine it extensively. This should not be the case since the title should provide a summary of the main idea. Further, the title is not typed in uppercase and lowercase letters. The title should be written in a title case. The first word and the first letter of the principal words are capitalized while having the prepositions, articles, and conjunctions in lowercase letters. Moreover, the title is not centered between the left and right margins. Instead, the title is pushed towards the left margin.
Abstract
The abstract includes the background of the study, methods used, results, and a discussion. The abstract is accurate because it reflects the information discussed in the manuscript. The information in the abstract can be found in the body of the research. The authors report what is in the body, which gives a reader an idea of what to expect in the rest of the paper. The abstract is coherent and readable, therefore, enabling readers to get an overview of the whole paper.
Introduction
The article outlines the problem in the introduction, whereby the authors demonstrate that cardiac disease remains the leading cause of hospitalization and mortality. The authors further indicate that the problem is more pronounced among older adults, with 20% getting readmitted and 10% dying a month after discharge (Verweij et al., 2018). The article proceeds to provide the relevant literature to back up their claims. They delve into what other scholars have said about the issue, demonstrating that they have undertaken extensive research.
However, the authors fail to indicate why the study is essential. For instance, the article indicates that integrating care management, disease management, and home-based rehabilitation could reduce readmission and rehabilitation (Verweij et al., 2018). While the authors describe the problem, they do not expressly state what their research endeavors focus on that other studies have not addressed. In other words, there is no indication why the research requires a new study. A reader would wonder why the particular study is different from others that are closely related.
Fact and interpretation
The article focuses on three main components of care; case management, disease management, and home-based cardiac rehabilitation. The authors have used facts to arrive at their conclusion that the CCB program is effective. The randomized trial presents accurate results. The interpretation of the facts also follows a logical analysis of the evidence from the literature and the study results.
Literature
The paper includes literature materials that assist in defining the problem. The literature demonstrates the extent to which older patients with cardiac disease continue to get readmitted and die in healthcare facilities. The materials emphasize the need for adequate guidance on the transition from hospital to home. Patients should continue receiving care when they transfer between different settings. One of the studies demonstrates the essence of nurse coordinated outpa...