To examine nurses' opinions and assess their level of engagement in clinical research.
An observational study employing a cross-sectional online survey from April to August 2024.
A convenience sample of registered nurses in a metropolitan health service in Victoria, Australia completed a self-report survey from April to August 2024. The survey consisted of fixed-response questions (5-point Likert scale) that measured nurses' opinions about clinical research and level of research involvement. Data were analysed using descriptive and univariate statistics, and content for two free-text open-ended questions.
There were 186 participants who reported positive opinions towards the role of clinical nursing research in improving patient outcomes and quality of care. Lower ratings were observed for items concerning confidence in understanding and conducting research, enjoyment of reading research articles and access to resources necessary for participation in research. Few participants had previous experience in study design, data analysis and manuscript preparation and publication. Nurses with higher academic qualifications (e.g., Master's, PhD), and those employed in senior roles, had more positive opinions about clinical nursing research and were more actively engaged in it. Content analysis revealed five themes: (1) Accessibility and awareness of research opportunities, (2) Support and resources, (3) Time constraints and workload, (4) Professional development and (5) Integration of research into clinical practice.
Whilst nurses perceive the importance of research, the findings underscore the need for targeted strategies to build their confidence and capacity to engage in clinical nursing research.
Nurses face significant barriers to active participation in research. Consideration is needed regarding how nurses are prepared for and adequately resourced to increase their involvement in clinical nursing research.
This study addresses the gap in evidence regarding nurses' opinions and level of engagement in clinical nursing research. Research leaders need to develop and test interventions to increase nurses' involvement in research.
This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting.
To explore the characteristics of oral healthcare education interventions for stroke clinicians and the effectiveness of these interventions in improving the oral health knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and practice among acute stroke clinicians.
Scoping review, guided by Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) framework.
Original full-text studies reporting educational oral healthcare interventions for stroke clinicians, including but not limited to nurses, were eligible for inclusion. Included studies were extracted and appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Checklist aligned to the study methodology. Narrative synthesis was used to describe heterogeneous findings.
Key electronic bibliographic databases including CINAHL, Cochrane, MEDLINE (Ovid), ProQuest, Pubmed, and Scopus, in addition to grey literature, were searched for studies published between 1st January 2000 and 20th January 2024.
Five studies conducted in acute inpatient settings were included: two randomised controlled trials, two mixed-methods studies, and one quality improvement project. Most (n = 4) studies developed complex interventions that included education and other components (products, referral pathways, assessment tools), and were delivered either face-to-face or as an online program. Most studies reported positive changes in oral health knowledge, attitudes, and confidence. There was limited measurement of the acceptability and feasibility of the interventions, with only one study reporting positive feedback from clinicians. There was no evidence to support changes in clinical practice following any of the included interventions.
Existing evidence indicates interventions for stroke clinicians have some potential for building stroke clinicians' capacity to provide adequate oral healthcare. There is however no evidence linking these interventions to optimised patient outcomes. There is a need for research focused on the implementation and dissemination of tailored oral health educational interventions incorporating clinically meaningful outcomes.
Existing oral healthcare educational interventions appear to have a positive effect on stroke clinicians' oral health knowledge, confidence, and attitudes. Educational interventions in oral healthcare are perceived to be acceptable and feasible; however, further research is needed to design and test the effect of new interventions.
Integrated oral healthcare is particularly important for stroke survivors who are at greater risk of preventable aspiration pneumonia. This scoping review highlights the characteristics of existing educational programs for stroke clinicians, their effectiveness, and gaps in existing evidence. Review findings substantiate the need for future research to enhance existing oral healthcare interventions, to translate knowledge acquired from training into clinical practice, and to capture appropriate measures of effect.
The PRISMA-ScR Checklist.
This review was registered with the Open Science Framework registry (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/4BWVF).
To evaluate the effect of a novel, co-designed, digital AF educational program, ‘INFORM-AF’, to reduce re-hospitalisation of people with AF.
The secondary aims are to examine the effect of the intervention on: (a) reducing cardiovascular-related hospitalisation, (b) increasing medication adherence, AF-related knowledge, and Atrial fibrillation (AF)-related quality of life and (c) determining the cost-effectiveness of the intervention.
AF is an increasingly prevalent cardiac arrythmia that involves complex clinical management. Comprehensive education is essential for successful self-management of AF and is associated with positive health-related outcomes. There has been an increase in technology-based education for AF. However, its effects on hospitalisation, medication adherence and patient-reported outcomes are unclear.
A prospective, randomised (1:1), open-label, blinded-endpoint, multicentre clinical trial.
Eligible participants are aged 18 years or above, diagnosed with AF, and own a smartphone. The study will be conducted at two metropolitan hospitals. In the intervention group, participants will receive the AF educational program delivered via Qstream®. In the control group, participants will receive the Stroke Foundation ‘Living with AF’ booklet. The primary outcome is re-hospitalisation within 12 months from an indexed presentation or hospital admission.
This clinical trial is part of a developing program of work that will examine mHealth educational-behavioural interventions on cardiovascular outcomes. Findings from this pilot study will inform the development of a digital educational framework for patients living with AF.
There remain many gaps in providing high-quality patient education for patients with AF. This trial will test a new theory-driven, smartphone-based education program on important clinical outcomes, including rehospitalisation.
This study evaluates a novel, co-designed, digital AF educational program, ‘INFORM-AF’, to reduce the re-hospitalisation of people with AF. Study results are expected to be reported in 2025. Findings are expected to inform practice recommendations for AF patient education that may be included in future clinical practice guideline recommendations.
SPIRIT Checklist.
JL is a consumer co-researcher on the project and provided critical input into intervention design, and feedback and input across the study duration.