Improving nursing oral care practice for care-dependent older adults through interprofessional collaboration: A study protocol
Oda K, Bakri NN, Majeed S, Ferguson CA, Boyd M, Smith M, Bartlett S, Holden R, Thomson WM, Parsons J. Improving nursing oral care practice for care-dependent older adults through interprofessional collaboration: A study protocol. 2023. Kaitiaki Nursing Research 14(1) 50-57
Background: Oral care is a fundamental part of nursing care, especially for care-dependent older adults, yet it remains one of the most neglected nursing interventions. This is largely due to the lack of standard nursing oral care protocols, effective training and awareness of the benefits for older adults.
Aim: The aim of this research will be to establish evidence-based oral care guidelines, using interprofessional collaboration and education, with the aim of improving nursing oral care practice. We also plan to pilot these guidelines with community nursing staff to determine their effectiveness and acceptability.
Method: The proposed research will use mixed methods and participatory action with co-design, underpinned by interprofessional collaboration and education, to develop evidence-based nursing oral care guidelines, training modules and supporting resources, and to evaluate effectiveness among community nursing staff.
Conclusion: The oral care guidelines, training resources and evaluation approaches we will co-develop will enable community nursing staff to develop their own, locally-approved evidence-based nursing oral health-care protocols. Thus, this study will be a stepping stone in the promotion of nurse-led oral care and normalising of sustainable oral care practice, with the goal of promoting older adults’ oral health and overall health and wellbeing.
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