NURS 8310 Week 7 Application of Measures of Effect Essay

NURS 8310 Week 7 Application of Measures of Effect Essay Assignment

Working near farm fields may be hazardous to your health. A recent epidemiologic study revealed a link between three agricultural pesticides and the development of Parkinson’s disease (Wang et al., 2011; UCLA, 2011). This link was initially suspected because of higher rates of Parkinson’s in farmers and others living in rural areas. Researchers analyzed risk estimates—for those working near the fields, not in them—and determined an 80% increased risk for Parkinson’s. As demonstrated with this example, researchers can begin to define the effects of exposure by comparing rates of disease from those exposed to certain conditions and those not exposed. This, in turn, can lead to the development of interventions for the affected population.

In Weeks 5 and 6, you explored how the environment, genetics, and psychosocial factors influence population health. This week, you will continue to examine the association between risk factors and the etiology of disease by investigating measures of effect. You will examine tools used to ascertain these measures (incidence, prevalence, relative risk, and odds ratios), and you will consider how nurses use measures of effect to make informed healthcare practice decisions. You will also begin Assignment 3.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Analyze how measures of effect strengthen and support nursing practice
Determine a causal model that applies to a specific population health problem

Discussion: Measures of Effect

One important application of epidemiology is to identify factors that could increase the likelihood of a certain health problem occurring within a specific population. Epidemiologists use measures of effect to examine the association or linkage in the relationship between risk factors and the emergence of disease or ill health. For instance, they may use measures of effect to better understand the relationships between poverty and lead poisoning in children, smoking and heart disease, or low birth weight and future motor skills.

What is the significance of measures of effect on nursing practice? In this Discussion, you will consider this pivotal question.

To prepare:

With the Learning Resources in mind, consider how measures of effect strengthen and support nursing practice.
What would be the risk of not using measures of effect in nursing practice?
Conduct additional research in the Walden Library and other credible resources, and locate two examples in the scholarly literature that support your insights.

By Day 3

Post a cohesive scholarly response that addresses the following:

Analyze how measures of effect strengthen and support nursing practice. Provide at least two specific examples from the literature to substantiate your insights.
Assess dangers of not using measures of effect in nursing practice.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues in one or more of the following ways:

Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information, evidence, or research.
Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives.
Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from the classroom or from your own research in the Walden Library.
Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research.
Make a suggestion based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings.
Expand on your colleagues’ postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence.

Get a custom nursing essay on NURS 8310 Week 7 Application of Measures of Effect written for you right away.