Data Collection
In order to compare the outcomes in toddlers as it pertains to astrological infections development in regard to drinking either milk or formula, one will need to develop a proper tool for gathering the relevant information. Since the study design is defined as quantitative, and since the randomized controlled trial (RCT) was viewed as the most effective research method in the specified scenario, the use of routinely collected data (RCD) can be seen as sensible in the specified scenario. By definition, the concept of RCD implies the use of the available health records to determine the information that is relevant for the research (Hemkens, Contopoulos-Ioannidis, & Ioannidis, 2016).
For example, in the identified case, one may need to check the existing electronic health records (EHR) of toddlers who were kept on formula and those fed with breast milk (McCord et al., 2018). The proposed strategy for data collection allows embracing a vast range of information and, thus, produce ample conclusions about the use of breastfeeding and the formula for toddlers.
The application of RCD as the tool for data acquisition has a range of potential benefits for the research. Among the key arguments in favor of RCD, one should mention the fact that RCTs are typically very expensive. Therefore, increasing the number of expenses taken to complete the study by choosing another data collection tool seems unreasonable. The usage of RCD. In turn, it will lead to a careful assessment of the available information and the selection of the data that concerns the frequency of gastroenterological issues in infants that are breastfed and kept on formula. As a result, an all-embracive study will be performed. Therefore, one should consider applying RCD to the research.
Analysis
In the process of data evaluation, one will have to compare the outcomes regarding gastroenterological disorders in both the group of toddlers that are breastfed and the one where toddlers are fed with the formula. The comparison will be performed by using the ANOVA tool, which will show whether there is a correlation between the use of breastfeeding technique, the application of the formula as the key method of feeding toddlers, and the development of gastroenterological disorders in the specified demographic.
Particularly, the study will strive to answer the following question: “In toddlers (P/T), does drinking formula during infancy (I) compared to drinking human milk during infancy (C) increase the risk of gastrointestinal complications/infections (O)? In the course of the analysis, the IBM SPSS program or similar software for data analysis will be used since it provides a means of reducing the possibility of an error to the minimum when calculating the outcomes (Abbass-Dick, Stern, Nelson, Watson, & Dennis, 2015). The use of descriptive statistics along with the ANOVA tool will be deployed to ensure that the key characteristics of the target groups are identified.
It is expected that the analysis will show high levels of variance within the two groups. The specified phenomenon is expected to take place due to the unique health properties of each patient. Despite the fact that extraneous variables are likely to have a profound impact on the outcomes of the analysis, embracing each of them in the research is barely possible. Therefore, generalizing the outcomes of the analysis will be required.
In the course of the study, the propensity toward the development of gastroenterological disorders among toddlers who were breastfed and those who received formula will be compared. The baseline data provided in the course of the analysis will inform the further choice regarding the use of the formula for infants as opposed to breastfeeding, as well as the reasonability for using combined methods of nutrition for the specified demographic.
The analysis may also require using the multivariate logistic regression tool as the means of locating the factors that may be predictive of starting the breastfeeding process. Thus, comprehensive information regarding the subject matter will be provided. Consequently, the analysis will provide clear and all-embracive information regarding the use of the formula versus breastfeeding techniques. It is expected that the analysis will result in proving that the toddlers who were provided with the formula as infants have a lesser propensity toward acquiring gastroenterological infections as opposed to the ones that were breastfed.
The specified phenomenon may be explained by the presence of nutrients contributing to the development of immunity toward specific disorders in the formula (Beninga et al., 2015). However, there is also the possibility that the test will lead to different outcomes. Regardless, the results of the study will inform the further choice of diet strategies for children that were fed with either milk or formula to address the development of the specified health concerns. Thus, major gastroenterological dysfunctions can be prevented in toddlers.
Evaluation
The results of the analysis will be assessed by comparing the variance within the two groups and considering the prevalence in them. It is unreasonable to believe that either of the groups will show a complete absence of predisposition toward gastroenterological infections, furthermore, the lack of control over extraneous variables mentioned above may complicate the evaluation of the results and impede the production of a set of reasonable measures for addressing the concern.
Nonetheless, the assessment will be performed based on the results retrieved from the RCT. After the implementation of the project, the key stakeholders will benefit significantly since the outcomes thereof will provide nurses with an opportunity to improve the efficiency of care extensively. Particularly, the mothers of patients will receive more detailed instructions about feeding and the means of improving their children’s nutrition process, which will affect patient outcomes positively (Jung, Beck, Hanh, & Bellaiche, 2017). Thus, the rates of gastroenterological issues in the target demographic are going to drop.
At the microlevel of the project implementation, one may need to consider using the techniques that will allow informing the selected demographic successfully. Particularly, the use of communication tools for disseminating information among mothers of infants will allow creating the framework within which each participant will receive ample data regarding the arrangement of the feeding process. In addition, nurses will have to offer mothers courses during which the essential information regarding breastfeeding and the available options will be provided. The specified two strategies will serve as the platform for enhancing the quality of care for mothers and toddlers.
Dissemination of Results
It is expected that the proposed study will deliver the outcomes that will improve the existing system of care and, particularly, the approach toward managing infants’ and toddlers’ needs significantly. However, to ensure that improvements occur in the identified setting, one will have to make the data available to the target demographic. Mothers will need to receive critical information about using breastfeeding, the formula, or a combination of the two in order to shape the process of nutrition. Furthermore, the information will have to be shared with other nurses, physicians, and clinicians.
To disseminate the data among pregnant women and mothers of infants, a nurse may have to use a combination of modern media, traditional media, and consultations. Specifically, posting on forums dedicated to the discussion of the relevant issues, as well as providing the outcomes of the analysis and the relevant pieces of advice on social media such as Facebook, will help target as vast a population as possible.
Furthermore, with the help of social media algorithms, one will create a system in which people will share the information with each other. In addition, traditional tools such as booklets and posters will have to be used (Criss et al., 2015). In addition, the research outcomes will affect my professional growth and the understanding of the subject matter. Last but not least, consultations provided by nurse educators will be of vast importance to the specified demographic.
Furthermore, the outcomes of the project will have to be shared on a statewide and national level, which will require introducing changes to the current nursing framework at large. Strategies for feeding infants and consultations for mothers will have to be offered in every state, thus contributing to a rapid rise in the levels of health education among the target demographic. Thus, mothers of infants will be able to select the options for feeding their infants so that the latter could avoid gastroenterological problems in the future.
As far as communicating the crucial outcomes of the analysis to other nurses, one will have to consider shaping the existing guidelines as well as deploy the principles of interdisciplinary communication between nurses. As a result, the results of the research will be shared and discussed among all kinds of nursing experts, which will lead to a better understanding of their importance (Townsend-Gervis, Cornell, & Vardaman, 2014). Furthermore, one may consider shaping the current set of guidelines for providing systemic care to mothers of infants and toddlers. With a new set of rules to which a nurse will adhere closely, one will ensure faster dissemination of the critical information and its better management.
Conclusion
The issue of breastfeeding versus the use of formula as the factors that define the consequences for a toddler’s health, particularly the probability of developing gastroenterological infections, requires an in-depth analysis due to the implications that it may have on children’s well-being. The goal of the study is to compare breastfeeding and the use of the formula in regard to the effects that each strategy has on a child’s propensity toward contracting gastroenterological infections. Once accomplishing the specified objective, one will be able to design the ultimate strategy for improving the quality of infant nutrition. Consequently, the threat of a child developing gastroenterological diseases in the future will be avoided.
Furthermore, the project is expected to contribute to my area of practice significantly. For instance, my specialty track practice will benefit from the study due to the emphasis on promoting the active cooperation between nurses and mothers of infants. The selected technique will allow increasing the levels of awareness among the identified demographics, which will make communication easier.
Furthermore, mothers will be capable of developing the ability to use the available health-related informational resources to educate themselves about important aspects of catering to infants’ and toddlers’ needs. As a result, a range of health complications will be avoided in the specified group. The minimization of health risks to both mothers and children can be seen as a crucial positive influence of the research outcomes on my area of practice.
References
Abbass-Dick, J., Stern, S. B., Nelson, L. E., Watson, W., & Dennis, C. L. (2015). Coparenting breastfeeding support and exclusive breastfeeding: A randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics, 135(1), 102-110. Web.
Benninga, M. A., Nurko, S., Faure, C., Hyman, P. E., Roberts, I. S. J., & Schechter, N. L. (2016). Childhood functional gastrointestinal disorders: Neonate/toddler. Gastroenterology, 150(6), 1443-1455. Web.
Criss, S., Baidal, J. A. W., Goldman, R. E., Perkins, M., Cunningham, C., & Taveras, E. M. (2015). The role of health information sources in decision-making among Hispanic mothers during their children’s first 1000 days of life. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 19(11), 2536-2543. Web.
Hemkens, L. G., Contopoulos-Ioannidis, D. G., & Ioannidis, J. P. (2016). Agreement of treatment effects for mortality from routinely collected data and subsequent randomized trials: Meta-epidemiological survey. BMJ, 352(i493), 1-11. Web.
Jung, C., Beck, L., Hanh, T., & Bellaiche, M. (2017). Quality of life of infants with functional gastrointestinal disorders: A large prospective observational study. International Journal of Child Health and Nutrition, 6(2), 62-69.
McCord, K. A., Salman, R. A. S., Treweek, S., Gardner, H., Strech, D., Whiteley, W.,… Hemkens, L. G. (2018). Routinely collected data for randomized trials: Promises, barriers, and implications. Trials, 19(1), 29-37. Web.
Townsend-Gervis, M., Cornell, P., & Vardaman, J. M. (2014). Interdisciplinary rounds and structured communication reduce re-admissions and improve some patient outcomes. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 36(7), 917-928. Web.