So essentially I’ll be doing a research proposal on the topic entitled “KNOWLEDGES, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES REGARDING ADVANCE CARE DIRECTIVES AND GOALS OF CARE IN THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS IN THE BAHAMAS”. I will attached an article to assist with formulating the research paper. The article is entitled “Association between knowledge and attitudes towards advance directives in emergency services”. Also follow the guidelines as well. This research should be 14,000 words minimum. I also started to do something. Feel free to use this as a base.
This is just a brief guideline on what to do/follow. Add more to this:
Abstract: This research proposal outlines a study aimed at examining the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of healthcare professionals regarding Advance Care Directives (ACDs) and goals of care within Accident and Emergency (A&E) Departments across The Bahamas. With an aging population and increasing complexity in healthcare decision-making, the implementation and understanding of ACDs are crucial to ensure patient autonomy and quality end-of-life care. The research will adopt a cross-sectional descriptive design, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including surveys and interviews with emergency medicine physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals. The objectives include identifying current awareness levels, exploring attitudinal and behavioral trends, and assessing the consistency of practices related to ACDs in A&E settings. The findings are expected to contribute to policy development, educational strategies, and clinical guidelines aimed at enhancing the integration of ACDs into emergency care in the Bahamian context.
Purpose: To explore the level of knowledge, prevailing attitudes, and existing practices among healthcare professionals in Bahamian emergency departments regarding Advance Care Directives and end-of-life goals of care.
Statement of the Problem: Despite global emphasis on patient-centered care, Advance Care Directives remain underutilized or misunderstood, particularly in emergency departments where time-sensitive decisions are frequent. In The Bahamas, there is a paucity of research examining how emergency healthcare professionals perceive and integrate ACDs into clinical decision-making. This gap undermines the potential for honoring patient wishes and providing appropriate end-of-life care, potentially resulting in overtreatment, family distress, or ethical dilemmas.
Objectives:
· To assess the current knowledge of ACDs among emergency healthcare professionals in The Bahamas.
· To explore attitudes toward the use and relevance of ACDs in emergency care settings.
· To examine existing practices and decision-making processes concerning ACDs.
· To identify barriers to the implementation and consistent application of ACDs.
· To recommend interventions for improving awareness and application of ACDs in emergency departments.
Justification/Significance: The study holds significant clinical, ethical, and policy implications. Understanding KAP concerning ACDs is crucial for respecting patient autonomy, improving communication, and guiding ethical clinical practice, particularly in high-stakes A&E settings. The results will inform tailored training, protocols, and national policy frameworks, ultimately aiming to improve the quality of care for patients nearing end-of-life in emergency contexts within The Bahamas.
Literature Review: A thorough review of existing literature, including the referenced article “Association between knowledge and attitudes towards advance directives in emergency services,” reveals a consistent global challenge in effectively integrating ACDs within emergency departments. Studies highlight a lack of formal training, limited institutional support, and ethical uncertainty as key barriers. However, where healthcare professionals have adequate knowledge and institutional backing, ACDs are more consistently respected and utilized. These findings underscore the importance of evaluating local perspectives and systems.
Methodology: Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study using a mixed-methods approach. Population: Emergency medicine doctors, nurses, and allied health workers in public and private A&E departments across The Bahamas. Sampling: Stratified random sampling to ensure representation across islands and institutions. Data Collection:
· Quantitative: Structured questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitudes, and practices.
· Qualitative: Semi-structured interviews to explore deeper insights. Data Analysis: Statistical analysis using SPSS; thematic analysis for qualitative data. Sample size will be determined through power analysis. Ethical Considerations: Ethical approval will be sought from relevant hospital and national ethics boards. Informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Confidentiality and anonymity will be strictly maintained.
References: (To be formatted according to West Indian Medical Journal or APA style, as required. Sample sources include: the attached article, WHO reports on end-of-life care, regional studies on ACDs in the Caribbean, and publications from emergency medicine journals.)
[Note: The full word version will elaborate each section in detail, including a comprehensive literature review in tabulated format, expanded methodology with instruments and sampling formulas, detailed results and statistical reporting, an extensive discussion comparing findings with international literature, and a full reference list.]
Have a clickable table of contents please