Summary

APPENDIX F

Appraisal Guide:

Findings of a Quantitative Study

Citation:

Hadi, M. A., McHugh, G. A., & Closs, S. J. (2019). Impact of chronic pain on patients’ quality of life: a comparative mixed-methods study. Journal of Patient Experience, 6(2), 133-141

Synopsis

What was the purpose of the study (research questions, purposes, and hypotheses)?

The purpose of the research was to investigate the impacts of chronic pain on patients’ quality of life (QoL)

How was the sample obtained?

The study targeted patients who were attending a community-based nurse–pharmacist managed pain clinic in the north of England between January 31, 2012, and September 31 2012 and met the exclusion/inclusion criteria.

What inclusion or exclusion criteria were used?

Participants included in the study must be above 18 years and with history of pain for more than 3 months. Pregnant women and patients with malignant pain, psychiatric disorders, or requiring acute medical/surgical intervention for their pain relief were not included in the study.

Who from the sample actually participated or contributed data (demographic or clinical profile and dropout rate)?

Out of a total sample of 13 800 participants invited, 8889 adults between the age of 18 and 64 took part in the survey

What methods were used to collect data (e.g., sequence, timing, types of data, and measures)?

Demographic and clinical data were collected using a standardized, pilot-tested, and structured questionnaire by reviewing case notes and patient interviews

Was an intervention tested?  Yes   No

1. How was the sample size determined?

Any patient who met the exclusion/inclusion criteria participated in the study.

2. Were patients randomly assigned to treatment groups?

The study selected participants from patients who attended a chronic pain management clinic

What are the main findings?

Chronic pain leads to poorer quality of life among patients with chronic pain as compared to the general population and patients with other long-term conditions.

Credibility

Is the study published in a source that required peer review?  Yes   No   Not clear

*Did the data obtained and the analysis conducted answer the research question?  Yes   No   Not clear

Were the measuring instruments reliable and valid?  Yes   No   Not clear

*Were important extraneous variables and bias controlled?  Yes   No   Not clear

*If an intervention was tested, answer the following five questions:  Yes   No   Not clear

1. Were participants randomly assigned to groups and were the two groups similar at the start (before the intervention)?  Yes   No   Not clear

2. Were the interventions well defined and consistently delivered?  Yes   No   Not clear

3. Were the groups treated equally other than the difference in interventions?  Yes   No   Not clear

4. If no difference was found, was the sample size large enough to detect a difference if one existed?  Yes   No   Not clear

5. If a difference was found, are you confident it was due to the intervention?  Yes   No   Not clear

Are the findings consistent with findings from other studies?  Yes   Some   No   Not clear

Are the findings credible?  Yes All   Yes Some   No

Clinical Significance

Note any difference in means, r2s, or measures of clinical effects (ABI, NNT, RR, OR)

*Is the target population clearly described?  Yes   No   Not clear

*Is the frequency, association, or treatment effect impressive enough for you to be confident that the finding would make a clinical difference if used as the basis for care?  Yes   No   Not clear

Are the findings clinically significant?  Yes All   Yes Some   No

* = Important criteria

Comments

The findings of the study have significant impact in the clinical practice in regards to chronic pain management and its impacts on quality of life. With the knowledge that chronic pain affects quality of life, nursing facilities can develop ways to help patients with chronic pain to improve quality of life

APP F-2 Brown

Brown APP F-1