Poster Presentation
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
9:00 AM - 9:45 AM
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
2:45 PM - 3:30 PM
A conceptual framework to guide a psycho-educational intervention for oral health care in the long-term setting conceived for care providers of individuals with functional limitations: Results of a pilot study
Krystyna B. Kouri, RN, BN, MSc, Nursing Department, CSSS - University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| Learning Objective #1: The learner will be able to understand the principle variables which influence the oral health of older individuals with self-care deficits in long-term settings. |
| Learning Objective #2: The learner will be able to understand the manner in which self-efficacy theory plays a central role in behaviour change. |
Oral buccal care of individuals with functional limitations is often neglected in long-term facilities. Inadequate oral buccal care is related to such health problems as malnutrition, pain, xerostomie (dry mouth), disorders of the oral cavity as well as infections, diabetes related complications and cardiovascular disease. Nurses play a key role in ensuring that appropriate oral buccal care is provided to persons with self-care deficits. The main goal herein is to present the conceptual framework used to guide a psycho-educational intervention for nursing personnel in a long-term care facility to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and skills relevant to oral buccal care. The results of a pilot study in regard to outcome measures of knowledge and self-efficacy for oral buccal care on the part of care personnel are also presented. Self-efficacy theory, (within social cognitive theory), which has been shown to play a key role in behavior change, guides the specific learning strategies for the acquisition of oral buccal care knowledge and skills. The Henderson nursing model guides the nursing dimension of this intervention. The number of individuals with self-care deficits in long-term facilities who are at risk for oral buccal health problems is on the increase. Given that nurses are well placed in these settings to facilitate oral buccal care, and considering that there is a lack of effective educational programs, this intervention serves as a useful tool for nurses to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to respond to this need.