Effectiveness of participatory-action-research to put in practice evidence at a nursing onco-hematology unit

Supporting researchers in knowledge translation and dissemination of their research to increase usability and impact

PURPOSE

One of the key areas of delivery of the 'Action Plan for Health Research 2019-2029', for the Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland, is adding value and using data and knowledge, including health-related quality of life (HRQoL), for improved health care, service delivery and better population health and wellbeing. The development of governance, management and support framework and mechanisms will provide a structure for ensuring research is relevant to the organisation's service plan, well designed, has a clear plan for dissemination and translation of knowledge, and minimises research waste. Developing a process for the translation, dissemination and impact of research is part of the approach to improving translation of research into practice and aligning it with knowledge gaps. A project was undertaken to develop a clear, unified, universally applicable approach for the translation, dissemination, and impact of research undertaken by HSE staff and commissioned, sponsored, or hosted by the organisation. This included the development of guidance, training, and information for researchers.

METHODS

Through an iterative process, an interdisciplinary working group of experts in knowledge translation (KT), implementation science, quality improvement and research management, identified KT frameworks and tools to form a KT, dissemination, and impact process for the HSE. This involved a literature review, screening of 247 KT theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs), review of 18 TMFs selected as usable and applicable to the HSE, selection of 11 for further review, and final review of 6 TMFs in a consensus workshop. An anonymous online survey of HSE researchers, consisting of a mixture of multiple choice and free text questions, was undertaken to inform the development of the guidance and training.

RESULTS

A pilot of the KT process and guidance, involving HSE researchers testing its use at various stages of their research, demonstrated the need to guide researchers through planning, stakeholder engagement, and disseminating research knowledge, and provide information that could easily be understood by novice as well as more experienced researchers. A survey of all active researchers across the organisation identified their support and knowledge requirements and led to the development of accompanying guidance to support researchers in the use of the process. Researchers of all levels reported that they struggled to engage with stakeholders, including evidence users and policy makers, to optimise the impact of their research. They wanted tools that would support better engagement and maximise the value of KT. As a result of the project a range of information, guidance, and training resources have been developed.

CONCLUSION

KT is a complex area and researchers need support to ensure they maximise the value of their research. The KT process outlined enables the distilling of a clear message, provides a process to engage with stakeholders, create a plan to incorporate local and political context, and can show a means to evaluate how much the findings are applied in practice. This is a beneficial application of KT in the field of patient reported outcomes. In implementing this work, we have reinforced the message that stakeholder engagement is crucial from the start of the research study and increases engagement in, and ownership of, the research knowledge.

The usability and applicability of knowledge translation theories, models, and frameworks for research in the context of a national health service

BACKGROUND

Translating research findings into service improvements for patients and/or policy changes is a key challenge for health service organizations. The Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland launched the Action Plan for Health Research 2019-2029, as reported by Terrés (HSE, Dublin, 2019), one of the goals of which is to maximize the impact of the research that takes place within the service to achieve improvements in patient care, services, or policy change. The purpose of this research is to review the literature on knowledge translation theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs) and to assess the suitability of the TMFs for HSE use, selecting one or more for this purpose. The aim is to produce guidance for HSE researchers and other health services staff, validate the usability of the framework(s) with researchers, and review and implement the guidance. It was hoped that identifying a suitable methodology would provide the means to increase the uptake and application of research findings, and reduce research wastage. This paper reports on the first part of the study: the review, assessment, and selection of knowledge translation TMFs for a national health service.

METHODS

An interdisciplinary working group of academic experts in implementation science, research wastage, and knowledge translation, along with key representatives from research funders (Health Research Board) and HSE personnel with expertise in quality improvement and research management, undertook a three-stage review and selection process to identify a knowledge translation TMF that would be suitable and usable for HSE purposes. The process included a literature review, consensus exercise, and a final consensus workshop. The review group adopted the Theory Comparison and Selection Tool (T-CaST) developed by Birken et al. (Implement Sci 13: 143, 2018) to review knowledge translation theories, models, and frameworks.

RESULTS

From 247 knowledge translation TMFs initially identified, the first stage of the review identified 18 that met the criteria of validity, applicability, relevance, usability, and ability to be operationalized in the local context. A further review by a subgroup of the working group reduced this number to 11. A whole-group review selected six of these to be reviewed at a facilitated consensus workshop, which identified three that were suitable and applicable for HSE use. These were able to be mapped onto the four components of the HSE knowledge translation process: knowledge creation, knowledge into action, transfer and exchange of knowledge, and implementation and sustainability.

CONCLUSION

The multiplicity of knowledge translation TMFs presents a challenge for health service researchers in making decisions about the appropriate methods for disseminating their research. Building a culture that uses research knowledge and evidence is important for organizations seeking to maximize the benefits from research. Supporting researchers with guidance on how to disseminate and translate their research can increase the uptake and application of research findings. The use of robust selection criteria enabled the HSE to select relevant TMFs and develop a process for increasing the dissemination and translation of research knowledge. The guidance developed to inform and educate researchers and knowledge users is expected to increase organizational capacity to promote a culture of research knowledge and evidence use within the HSE.

The impact of a participatory intervention on the therapeutic relationship in mental health nurses: A multicentre study

AIMS

To evaluate the effects of an intervention aimed at improving the therapeutic relationship, using the participatory-action research method, in terms of improving the quality of the nurse-patient therapeutic relationship.

DESIGN

A single-group pre-post research design.

METHODS

Quantitative data were collected between January 2018 and June 2019 using an online form completed by nurses from 18 mental health units (N = 95). Data were collected before and after the intervention, which consisted of the design, implementation and evaluation of strategies to improve the therapeutic relationship through participatory-action research involving nurses. The Working Alliance Inventory-Short, Interpersonal Reactivity Index, Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire and Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index were used. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used together with the Spearman's correlation coefficient. Two multiple linear regressions models were constructed.

RESULTS

Overall, the intervention improved the nurse-patient therapeutic relationship. In addition, the results revealed that, above all, the improvement in evidence-based practice along with a decrease in nurses' personal distress were the factors associated with the improvement of the nurse-patient therapeutic relationship.

CONCLUSION

In mental health units, the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship can be improved through participatory interventions that include the implementation of evidence-based practices.

IMPACT

This research examined the effects of an intervention aimed at improving the therapeutic relationship among nurses working at mental health units using participatory action research. The results show that the therapeutic relationship can be improved through participatory methods where evidence-based practice is implemented and enhanced among nurses, since a better therapeutic relationship along with reduced staff discomfort are determining factors that influence the quality of the therapeutic relationship. Institutional managers should promote participatory group interventions to enable nurses to develop evidence-based aspects of the therapeutic relationship together with expanding personal aspects and self-knowledge.

Development, implementation and evaluation of an evidence-based practice model in a new hospital in Chile

AIMS

To describe an implementation programme for an evidence-based practice (EBP) model in a new Chilean hospital and to analyse the programme evaluation results.

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based practice is key to professional nursing for improving health care safety and quality.

METHODS

First, a literature review was performed to develop an institutional EBP model. Second, internal and external analyses contributed to assessing facilitators for and barriers to implementation. Third, a multi-stage implementation plan was conducted. Fourth, process and outcome indicators were evaluated.

RESULTS

The model considered the basic elements of EBP and outlined different decision-making levels in clinical practice. Several facilitators for implementation were identified. Each implementation stage included activities addressing EBP knowledge, attitude and skills. Outcome indicators showed significant improvement regarding knowledge (p = .038). Providers with formal EBP training, compared with providers without training, showed a significant difference of 8.6% (0.6 points) in the average CPBE-19 score in knowledge, attitude and application in the last evaluation (p < .01).

CONCLUSION

Having an EBP programme with ongoing implementation strategies improves knowledge over time, and formal training enhances positive results.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Nurse managers can build an institutional research culture to improve the quality of care using an EBP programme that fits organisational needs.

Improving the therapeutic relationship in inpatient psychiatric care: Assessment of the therapeutic alliance and empathy after implementing evidence-based practices resulting from participatory action research

PURPOSE

To examine how evidence about the therapeutic alliance gleaned from participatory action project affected the level of this alliance and the degree of empathy of psychiatric nurses.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Quasi-experimental study in two psychiatric units. In one group, evidence-based practices that affected the therapeutic alliance were implemented; in the comparison group, there was no such intervention.

FINDINGS

The nurses from the intervention group improved their degree of empathy and factors such as agreement on objectives and tasks with the patient.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The results confirm the possibility of measuring and improving the therapeutic relationship in psychiatric care.

Implementation of evidence on the nurse-patient relationship in psychiatric wards through a mixed method design: study protocol

Background

Psychiatric nurses are aware of the importance of the therapeutic relationship in psychiatric units. Nevertheless, a review of the scientific evidence indicates that theoretical knowledge alone is insufficient to establish an adequate therapeutic alliance. Therefore, strategies are required to promote changes to enhance the establishment of the working relationship. The aims of the study are to generate changes in how nurses establish the therapeutic relationship in acute psychiatric units, based on participative action research and to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of evidence through this method.

Methods/Design

The study will use a mixed method design. Qualitative methodology, through participative action research, will be employed to implement scientific evidence on the therapeutic relationship. A quasi-experimental, one-group, pre-test/post-test design will also be used to quantitatively measure the effectiveness of the implementation of the evidence. Participants will consist of nurses and patients from two psychiatric units in Barcelona. Nurses will be selected by theoretical sampling, and patients assigned to each nurses will be selected by consecutive sampling. Qualitative data will be gathered through discussion groups and field diaries. Quantitative data will be collected through the Working Alliance Inventory and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index. Qualitative data will be analysed through the technique of content analysis and quantitative data through descriptive and inferential statistics.

Discussion

This study will help to understand the process of change in a nursing team working in an inpatient psychiatric ward and will allow nurses to generate knowledge, identify difficulties, and establish strategies to implement change, as well as to assess whether the quality of the care they provide shows a qualitative improvement.

[Quality control in pathology and theranostics in head and neck cancers]

Head and neck malignant tumors diagnosis require both standardized technical and personalized management in order to optimize patient care and therapy. The quality of multidisciplinary discussion for that goal needs common vocabulary. More than morphology, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, additional molecular theranostics approaches are in fast progress in head and neck cancers, as well as their other anatomic counterparts.