Table of Contents
Clinical scenario chosen
The chosen clinical scenario is that of Jeff, a smoker of over 30 years, who has attempted to quit smoking unsuccessfully for long. He, however, wishes to try acupuncture, which has helped his friend quit smoking.
The clinical question
“Is acupuncture effective in assisting people to quit smoking?”
The background of the question
The question aims at establishing whether acupuncture can be effective in helping people to quit smoking, mainly, people, who have struggled to quit smoking for a long time or people, who have tried to quit smoking through other therapeutic models but failed. The question recognizes acupuncture as a traditional mode of therapy that entail pricking of the skin tissues with needles to reduce pain and other cognitive and physical problems (Liu & Leung, 2013).
A description of the question using PICOT
P – This study aims to focus on people with problems quitting smoking, people of the age of 45 and above.
I – The study will entail providing the participants with acupuncture therapy.
C – The comparison will be a group of people placed under Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for helping to quit smoking.
O – The expected outcome is complete quitting smoking and no signs of withdrawals and craving of cigarettes.
T – The study aims to take about six months.
Study design
The best study design to answer the chosen clinical question will be Meta-analysis (randomized controlled trial). This study approach is effective in formulating health care policies. Mainly, it is a crucial study approach that helps generate evidence-based healthcare solutions. According to Admad and Ahmed (2010), Meta-analysis (randomized controlled trials) helps create an estimated figure or finding of the effect of the intervention under study. It helps formulate solid evidence, quantitative estimation also called confidence intervals obtained from specific studies and primary evidence to the usefulness of a specific treatment alternative, thus lowering the need for continued studies.
- Admad, N. Z., & Ahmed, A. (2010). A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing methylene blue-directed biopsies with random biopsies in the surveillance of Barrett’s esophagus. Esophagus, 7(4), 207-213.
- Liu, T. Y., & Leung, P. C. (2013). Evidence-based acupuncture. Hackensack, New Jersey: World Scientific.