Discussion: Efficacy of a Treatment Program for Opioid Use

Article: Chen, Z., Wang, Y., Wang, R., Xie, J., & Ren, Y. (2018). Efficacy of Acupuncture for Treating Opioid Use Disorder in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018.

Part 1

Some of the biases the researchers identified include lack of enough information from the articles used that would allow judges and therefore, low quality (Chen et al., 2013). The judgment they made from the reports, therefore, was not reliable because the information was deficient. There was also the bias in using studies that had incomplete data. Several of the articles had missing data and did not include reasons for omissions (Chen et al., 2013). Using such study meant that the results would not be biding. Also, some materials which the researchers used did not have a study protocol that means they misguided the study.

I identify selection bias in the study. The researchers selected articles that were having adult participants only. Opioid addiction and disorder occur in both adult and young. The researchers ought to have had a comprehensive study for all demographics to have biding results (Simundic, 2013). The review was also biased in the process of selecting the articles which met the criteria. The assessment was done through the reading of the title and the abstract only. The two areas in some times do not provide a clear picture of the content.

Part 2

The intended target population for the study is adult with opioid use disorders and related impacts like insomnia, opioid cravings, depression, and anxiety. The competent cultural way to implement treatment with the population is to engage the patients in cultural interactions to offer social centered care (Health Research & Educational Trust, 2013). It involves sharing with the patients to understand their beliefs and values to know how to handle them during treatment. One of the necessary elements for a successful culturally appropriate implementation is an attitude where the practitioners assume color and cultural differences to avoid biasness in treatment (Truong et al., 2014). Another one is Valuing diversity while developing procedures for implementation. Others include awareness, practice and the ability and willingness to institutionalize cultural knowledge.

Chen, Z., Wang, Y., Wang, R., Xie, J., & Ren, Y. (2018). Efficacy of Acupuncture for Treating Opioid Use Disorder in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018.

Truong, M., Paradies, Y., & Priest, N. (2014). Interventions to improve cultural competency in healthcare: a systematic review of reviews. BMC health services research, 14(1), 99.

Simundic, A. M. (2013). Bias in research. Biochemia medica: Biochemia medica, 23(1), 12-15.

Health Research & Educational Trust. (2013). Becoming a culturally competent health care organization. Chicago, IL: Illinois. Health Research & Educational Trust. Retrieved from http://www.diversityconnection.org/diversityconnection/membership/Resource%20Center%20Docs/Equity%20of%20Care%20Report%20FINAL.pdf