Posted: October 2nd, 2022

My clinical observation in my PCP practice

Please submit your draft of the first phase of your study. This will be either a quantitative or qualitative study.
Quantitative Research Study Proposal
Phase 1- The Conceptual Phase
• Formulating and determining the problem
• Reviewing the related literature
• Undertaking clinical fieldwork
• Defining the framework/ developing conceptual definitions
• Identifying a research problem and developing a research question
• Formulating a hypothesis
Quantitative Research Study Proposal Example
Phase 1- The Conceptual Phase
Formulating and determining the problem
My clinical observation in my PCP practice was that children were not getting outside to play. Over the winter I had many children gain upwards of 10 pounds due to inactivity per their self-report. This concern was validated by national statistics on the rate of mental health diagnoses, obesity and other threats to child health related to decreased activity and the lack of exposure to nature.
Reviewing the related literature
Free, unstructured play in nature has been shown to be beneficial for a child’s physical and mental health. Children who spent time outdoors on a daily basis were noted to have less stress and improved self-worth (Wells and Evans, 2003). In another study by AF Taylor, et al (2001) children who had contact with nature had improved attentiveness as evidenced by parents’ self report. Childhood obesity has taken the spotlight as a major health risk for this generation. The effort made by health care providers to get children outside and away from unhealthy food and screens (TV, computer etc.) may play a critical role in reducing obesity. The prevalence of overweight was demonstrated to be up to 40% lower among children who spent time outdoors. (Cleland, et al, 2008) In addition to weight loss and stress reduction, however, time in nature has more benefits. Richard Louv, in his 2005 book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder discusses those additional benefits including creative thinking, problem solving and leadership skills as well as developing respect for the environment. In 2007 the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a statement supporting the importance of play in enhancing childhood development and wellbeing. In January 2013 they issued a statement supporting recess for all children. If started at a young age, engaging in free unstructured play in nature could provide healthy habits to carry into adulthood.
Identifying the gap in the literature
There are multiple published studies assessing the use of a prescription to guide behavior change in the adult population, specifically for weight reduction and cardiac rehabilitation. To date there are no known published studies looking at the use and efficacy of a Nature Rx as a tool to support behavior change in the pediatric population.
Undertaking clinical fieldwork
Spending time in nature has been studied and shown to be beneficial to children in many ways. The literature recommends that children experience free, unstructured time in nature on a regular basis as part of a healthy lifestyle. This project will attempt to look at one motivator to get children out in nature, specifically the nature prescription (Nature Rx). The Nature Rx could aide the discussion between a primary care provider (PCP) and a child about the importance of time in nature. Handing a child a Nature Rx may encourage behavior change, prompting the child to play outside. Pediatric PCPs are positioned to advise children and families about healthy behaviors through discussion and anticipatory guidance during the well child exam. Similar to a medication prescription, the Nature Rx directs the child and family to improve health through activity in the outdoors. The nature prescription is used similarly to a written prescription for a drug or physical therapy. The recipient is counseled on the use of the prescribed item or behavior and also the benefit of using that item or carrying out the behavior.
Defining the framework/ developing conceptual definitions
Formulating a hypothesis
A written nature prescription handed to a child at a well child visit along with anticipatory guidance from their primary care provider will prompt that child and parent to engage in a nature experience
Research Question
When Primary Care Providers write a nature prescription for children during a well child visit, will parents and children redeem it and visit a state park?
Aims of the study:
To assess whether the use of a nature prescription along with advice encourages a parent to take his or her child to a state park for a nature experience.
To look at redemption rate and patterns of use of a nature rx given by a provider to a patien