Article Critique 4: Institution Name Article

ARTICLE CRITIQUE 4 Article Critique Institution Name Article Critique Introduction

In the field of research, article critique plays a key role in analyzing scholarly works in order to establish their strengths and weaknesses. Critiquing an article helps to identify how authors present their arguments and whether they achieve the ultimate goal of contributing to the body of knowledge. This paper involves the process of objective analysis of research article entitled “Fatigue, Work Schedules, and Perceived Performance in Bedside Care Nurses” in the bid to evaluate major findings presented by the authors.

Paper For Above instruction

The critique of the article “Fatigue, Work Schedules, and Perceived Performance in Bedside Care Nurses” by Sagherian et al. (2017) provides valuable insights into how working conditions influence nurse performance and patient safety. The authors aim to fill a noticeable gap in the existing literature by examining the relationship between fatigue and nursing performance within the Lebanese healthcare context, emphasizing the importance of sustainable staffing and work schedules to enhance healthcare quality.

Phenomenon of Interest

The authors clearly define their focus on how work-related fatigue impacts nurse performance. They are motivated by the limited research on this subject, especially in Lebanon, where healthcare systems face unique challenges. The core concern is that fatigue among nurses may compromise patient safety and lead to adverse health outcomes, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to improve working conditions and performance.

Purpose of the Study

The study's main objective was to understand the various factors affecting healthcare quality in Lebanon, with a particular focus on nurse fatigue as a determinant of performance. The authors argue that maintaining high performance levels among nurses is essential for delivering quality care, but fatigue interferes with this goal, leading to suboptimal patient outcomes. Consequently, the research sought to investigate the extent to which fatigue impacts nurses' capacity to perform effectively, using empirical data to inform policy and practice improvements.

Study Design

The research utilized a descriptive cross-sectional design, employing surveys and questionnaires distributed to registered nurses (RNs) working full-time in Lebanese healthcare facilities. A total of 100 RNs participated, with the Nursing Performance Instrument used to measure perceptions of mental and physical performance. Despite the straightforward approach, several methodological issues arose. For example, the sampling process lacked gender balance, with a disproportionate number of female participants, potentially influencing the representativeness of the findings. Additionally, only English-speaking RNs were included, which excludes a segment of the workforce and limits generalizability. Furthermore, the NPI scale used omitted two items, which affected the reliability of the measurement instrument. The cross-sectional design itself restricts the ability to establish causal relationships between fatigue and performance, suggesting the need for longitudinal studies to deepen understanding.

Sampling

The study employed purposive and convenience sampling techniques, which introduce biases and limit the external validity of the results. The sample consisted predominantly of female nurses—77 out of 100—reflecting the gender distribution in nursing but potentially skewing the findings. Moreover, the sample only included English-speaking nurses, which is a significant limitation considering the linguistic diversity in Lebanon. These sampling methods, while practical, do not accurately represent the entire nursing population, thus constraining the applicability of the results to the broader health workforce.

Data Collection

The researchers distributed questionnaires that participants completed at their convenience over a two-week period. This method ensured privacy and minimized respondent bias, thereby enhancing data quality. The questionnaires primarily used Likert scales, facilitating uniform data collection suitable for quantitative analysis. Such self-administered surveys are common in healthcare research but rely heavily on honest reporting, which can be influenced by social desirability bias.

Data Analysis

The authors analyzed the collected data using SPSS version 22, employing descriptive statistics, standard deviations, and Pearson’s correlation coefficients. The analysis revealed that 68.4% of nurses reported fatigue due to insufficient sleep, while over 27% worked more than 41 hours weekly, indicating high workload levels. The Pearson correlation tests showed significant relationships between fatigue, inter-shift recovery, and performance, supporting the hypothesis that fatigue adversely affects nurses’ capacity to deliver quality care. The analytical approach was appropriate; however, the cross-sectional design means causality cannot be firmly established, and longitudinal studies are needed to verify these associations over time.

Findings and Discussion

The study found that a significant proportion of nurses experience fatigue that impairs their performance, with 68.4% reporting inadequate sleep and nearly one-fifth working 12-hour shifts. The data indicated a link between heavy workloads, fatigue, and perceived declines in performance, aligning with existing literature highlighting the detrimental effects of extended working hours on healthcare providers (Caruso, 2014). Notably, the results suggest that fatigue compromises not only personal health but also patient safety, emphasizing the importance of re-evaluating work schedules to promote nurse well-being and optimal patient outcomes. The findings resonate with global studies demonstrating that fatigue management strategies can improve performance and reduce medical errors (Dall'Ora et al., 2019).

Conclusion

The study convincingly demonstrates a close relationship between fatigue and reduced nursing performance, with implications for both health workforce management and patient safety. It advocates for healthcare institutions to implement better scheduling practices, limit consecutive working hours, and promote rest periods to mitigate fatigue-related risks. Despite methodological limitations, such as sampling biases and the unconducive cross-sectional design, the article contributes valuable insights into how nurse fatigue impacts care quality in Lebanon. Future research should adopt longitudinal and randomized approaches to substantiate these findings and develop targeted interventions that foster sustainable work environments for nurses.

References

  • Caruso, C. C. (2014). Negative impacts of shift work and long work hours. Rehabilitation Nursing, 39(1), 16-25.
  • Dall'Ora, C., Ball, J., Rea, N., & Griffiths, P. (2019). Nurse staffing and patient safety: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Quality & Safety, 28(4), 316-327.
  • Sagherian, K., Clinton, M. E., Abu-Saad Huijer, H., & Geiger-Brown, J. (2017). Fatigue, work schedules, and perceived performance in bedside care nurses. Workplace health & safety, 65(7), 317-324.
  • Shanafelt, T. D., Boone, S., Tan, L., et al. (2012). Burnout and satisfaction with work-life balance among US physicians relative to the general US population. Archives of Internal Medicine, 172(18), 1377-1385.
  • Pejcic, M., Kolic, S., & Jovanovic, S. (2014). Effect of shift work on nurses' health and patient safety. Journal of Nursing Management, 22(2), 229-236.
  • Firth-Cozens, J. (2001). Stress in medical teams. BMJ, 322(7281), 659-660.
  • Williams, E. S., & Pineda, M. (2017). Impact of nurse fatigue on patient safety and healthcare quality. Nursing Clinical Perspectives, 3(2), 45-52.
  • McVicar, A. (2016). Workplace stress in nursing: a literature review. Journal of Nursing Management, 24(5), 542-552.
  • Mitchell, R., & Hrovat, M. I. (2014). Impact of fatigue on nurse performance and patient safety. Journal of Healthcare Quality Research, 29(3), 113-119.
  • Williamson, P., & Palmer, S. (2010). The effects of extended work hours on hospital staff. Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, 52(11), 1142-1146.

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