Oral care knowledge, attitude and practice: Caregivers’ survey and observation
Objectives This study aims to assess caregivers’ knowledge, perception and perceived barriers as well as their daily usual practice concerning oral care provision in a geriatric hospital. Methods A semi‐structured questionnaire was developed and administered to caregivers in a geriatric ward. Furthe...
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| Published in: | Gerodontology Vol. 38; no. 1; pp. 95 - 103 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
England
01-03-2021
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | Objectives
This study aims to assess caregivers’ knowledge, perception and perceived barriers as well as their daily usual practice concerning oral care provision in a geriatric hospital.
Methods
A semi‐structured questionnaire was developed and administered to caregivers in a geriatric ward. Furthermore, oral care delivery to dependent and independent patients was clinically observed.
Results
One hundred and fifty‐two caregivers (60% nurses, 40% nursing aids) completed the survey (78% response rate). Clinical oral care was observed in 97 inpatients. Observations revealed that brushing was done in 94% of opportunities in independent patients but in only 55% of dependent patients. This corresponded to the frequency indicated in the questionnaire for independent elders (97%, n.s.), whereas it was significantly different for dependent elders (89%, P < .001). 95% of caregivers stated in the questionnaire never verifying self‐administered oral care, whereas 12.3% were actually observed verifying intraorally its efficiency (P = .07 chi‐squared test). 71% of the respondents stated storing the prostheses dry, and 8% stated that they reinserted it after cleaning. Caregivers’ observation revealed that 35.1% of prostheses were reinserted in the mouth, indicating a significantly higher rate than in the questionnaire (P < .05). Respondents felt that their training to perform oral hygiene measures was suboptimal (VAS 48 ± 34.4). Patients verbally refusing oral care were stated as a barrier by 14% of respondents and were witnessed in 15.6% of observation opportunities (n.s).
Conclusion
Various measures, such as hospital health policy, improved logistics or advanced hands‐on training, might help to converge the clinical practice towards the theoretical knowledge. |
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| Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
| ISSN: | 0734-0664 1741-2358 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/ger.12502 |