Learning Aim A

Question 1

What are the 4 reasons why research is carried out in health and social care?

Answer 1

1. To Improving outcomes for people using services.
2. To inform policy and practice
3. To extend knowledge and understanding
4. To identify weaknesses or gaps in provision

Question 2

What is research?

Answer 2

An investigation or procedure that aims to find out new knowledge that could lead to changes to health treatments, policies or care

Question 3

What are the benefits of research?

Answer 3

Research helps to form policy that leads to improved outcomes for people who use services

Question 4

Tell me the 8 different types of health and social care provision:

Answer 4

1. Hospitals
2. Residential care
3. Domiciliary care
4. Nursing homes
5. Health centres
6. GP surgeries
7. Occupational health environment
8. Children’s centre

Question 5

3 examples of research that have improved practice and policy

Answer 5

1. Use of antiseptic gel by all clinical staff and visitors - reduces risk of infection
2. Hospital doctors do not wear white coats or ties to reduce risk of spreading infection
3. There are provisions of intermediate care to help individuals who have been hospitalised for a long time, regain their confidence to be able to live independently in their own homes

Question 6

Define VALIDITY

Answer 6

This is whether a test or study actually measures what it aims to measure

Question 7

Define RELIABILITY

Answer 7

This is whether the results can be reproduced under the same conditions

Question 8

What sources should I use for referencing?

Answer 8

• books
• google
• official documents

Question 9

How should you explain question 1 (research methods used in the article)

Answer 9

• give examples to support explanations
• explain why the methodologies used are/aren’t useful

Question 10

How should you answer question 2

Answer 10

• consider how the issue affects individuals and the wider society
• USE SECONDARY research to support the points made
• give reasons why research is important in social care practice

Question 11

How would you answer question 3

Answer 11

• explain my reasons for using different research methodology in future research
• make judgements on the importance of ethics, planning practical problems in relation to future research in this area
• justify the points I make in as much detail as possible

Question 12

What are the 6 contemporary health and social care issues?

Answer 12

• high levels of obesity
• demand for social care services
• antimicrobial resits (AMR)
• rising rate of mental health issues
• increasing numbers of elderly in the population
• disease prevention vs treatment of disease

Question 13

What does double blind clinical trial mean?

Answer 13

When neither the patients nor the researches/doctors do not know which group have the fake drug or the real drug

Question 14

What is a placebo?

Answer 14

A medical prescription which looks like the real drug being tested but does not contain medical active ingredients

Question 15

What are some implications of lifestyle choices and strategies for migrating service provision?

Answer 15

1. Health education programmes in schools and community centres e.g. a 5 A DAY programme to stay healthy
2. Taxation limit e.g. taxing alcohol like the sugar tax this helped to prevent obesity and taxing alcohol will reduce harm and promote public health
3. Legislation e.g. banning smoking indoors which promotes less smoking and lung function

Question 16

Give me 8 health and social care provisions? ( settings )

Answer 16

1. Emergency services
2. Gp surgeries
3. Nursing homes
4. Residential care
5. Health centres
6. Children centres
7. Disability services
8. Hospitals

Question 17

What is improving outcomes for people using services?

Answer 17

This is meeting outcomes aligned with both the service users own and clinical expectations. This helps to improve well-being and quality of care for service users. For example, learning boards being created to understand the risk factors of conditions depending on the service user.

Question 18

What does informing policy and practice mean?

Answer 18

This is using research findings to influence practices in the healthcare organisations. This ensures that evidence-based information is used to improve the quality of care provided to service users and communities. E.g. research on the effectiveness of a vaccine to prevent the spread of infection which can help inform public health policies on controlling outbreaks.

Question 19

What does extending knowledge and understanding mean?

Answer 19

This involves expanding existing knowledge and gaining deeper understanding into different H&S issues. This includes conducting studies, analysing data and making conclusions to understand. For example, a research project investigating the long-term effects for a specific medication on patients with specific conditions which can help extend knowledge on the medications efficacy and side effects.

Question 20

What does identifying gaps in provision mean?

Answer 20

This is recognising areas where services are lacking and highlighting areas of improvement for development. For example, looking into the lack of health services for people suffering with mental health issues which can help for this to be addressed and improve mental health outcomes.