Sampling in researchable population in mental health? ?? ?In the context of nursing research, sampling is the act of choosing a selection of subjects to examine from a wider population. Thi

1.  Sampling in researchable population in mental health 

    In the context of nursing research, sampling is the act of choosing a selection of subjects to examine from a wider population. This enables researchers to extrapolate inferences about the population from the sample's features. Sampling in nursing research is crucial for ensuring that findings are representative, void of selection unfairness, and generalizable (Bruce, Pope, & Stanistreet, 2018). Researchers can draw conclusions that apply to a larger group of individuals by carefully selecting participants. For example, a researcher may sample a group of nurses from different hospitals to study their attitudes towards patient care. By analyzing this sample, the researcher can draw conclusions that may apply to all nurses working in similar settings.

    This post will focus on the sampling process in my practice, mental health, focusing on patients in outpatient mental health clinics. Researchable populations in outpatient mental health and substance abuse clinics may include individuals with co-occurring disorders, such as depression and substance use disorders. However, this post will address sampling in patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). Additionally, studying the effectiveness of interventions for specific demographic groups, such as adolescents or older adults, could provide valuable insights into improving treatment outcomes in these settings.

Rationale for selecting patients with substance use disorders. 

     Patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) would be most appropriate for use in this study because they are often willing to participate in research studies to access treatment or support services. Patients with SUDs are often willing to participate in research studies to access treatment or support services. Studying this population can provide valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of addiction and potential interventions for treatment (Adeniran et al., 2023). Additionally, individuals with SUDs may have unique perspectives and experiences that can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of addiction. Their participation in research studies can also help improve the effectiveness of interventions and support services tailored to this population.

Challenges of sampling in patients with substance abuse disorders.

     One possible challenge of sampling patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) is that the patients may be hesitant to disclose their condition due to stigma or fear of legal repercussions. Additionally, obtaining a representative sample may be difficult as individuals with severe substance abuse disorders may be unable or unwilling to participate in research studies. Another challenge is that patients with SUDs may be homeless, have unstable living situations, or be difficult to reach for follow-up appointments, making it challenging to obtain a consistent sample size (Adeniran et al., 2023). Furthermore, ethical considerations must be considered when obtaining informed consent from individuals who may not be in the right state of mind due to their substance abuse. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss the study with friends and family, hear an informed consent form read aloud, and undergo a baseline interview to confirm eligibility (Harris et al., 2021).

2. I live in the state of Minnesota and the largest population of Somali immigrants live here. I am Somali and working in this state made me want to pursue mental health. There is a huge population of patients who go in and out of emergency departments for their mental health crises. Unfortunately, my community also comes with its barriers. There is a huge taboo in our community when it comes to mental health and that has contributed to the Minnesota mental health crisis we are witnessing. I would like to address these issues in my practice area, but there are unique challenges with this specific population. There are deep-rooted traumas due to the civil war. There are also language barriers as well as the cultural stigmas that surround mental illness. It would be very challenging to overcome those obstacles. Obtaining a sample is also very difficult. No one wants to be labeled as someone who is suffering from mental health. “Most studies of Somali health in the US are derived from medical records review of individual healthcare institutions. Population-based data and national surveys do not contain the necessary granularity to distinguish Somali participants from other African Americans. Therefore, the voices of Somali refugees have been under-represented in health needs assessments” (Mohamed, 2022). We see this being the biggest contributor to why we do not have enough research to even somewhat backup the emergency room and psych units increase in Somali patients. It is a very hush-hush culture when it comes to this topic. I plan to address these challenges by confronting them face-on. For example, I recently had a young lady come into the ER with her family at the bedside. She was having a mental health crisis, but all the family was focused on and pointed to was that she was constipated. This patient moments later was having very watery stools, so we knew that was not a concern, this was also backed up by our CT scan and MRI scan. This patient was in a full-blown schizophrenic episode and the family pointed to everything except the mental health. This was one of those cases that I had to step up as a nurse. I had to explain to the team the reason we are having a disconnect with the family, but also elaborate on the stigma of mental health in the culture. I also had to speak to the family about our findings which left no space for any confusion. I think about that patient often because, just like her I come from a Somali upbringing. Where we often see it is okay to have any illness, but a mental one. That is where the line is drawn. This week’s learning speaks on different methods to collect data and to relate that to this topic. I would like to perform a quantitative method to address this topic. Although it would be hard to find people willing to participate, those who sign up for the study will provide a visual of the problem we as a community are not willing to face. The lack of participation can also be used as part of the study to provide more context as to why this topic is relevant and urgent. By addressing these research objectives, this study aims to inform the development of culturally appropriate and sustainable mental health interventions and support services tailored to the needs of the Somali community in Minnesota. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce mental health disparities, improve access to care, and enhance the overall well-being of individuals and families within the Somali community. I would like to make a change in the community and bring my knowledge to educate