Implementing evidence in an onco-haematology nursing unit: a process of change using participatory action research.

AIM: To implement evidence in a nursing unit and to gain a better understanding of the experience of change within a participatory action research. METHODS: Study design of a participatory action research type was use from the constructivist paradigm. The analytical-methodological decisions were inspired by Checkland Flexible Systems for evidence implementation in the nursing unit. The study was carried out between March and November 2007 in the isolation unit section for onco-haematological patients in a tertiary level general university hospital in Spain. Accidental sampling was carried out with the participation of six nurses. Data were collected using five group meetings and individual reflections in participants' dairies. The participant observation technique was also carried out by researchers. Data analysis was carried out by content analysis. The rigorous criteria were used: credibility, confirmability, dependence, transferability and reflexivity. RESULTS: A lack of use of evidence in clinical practice is the main problem. The factors involved were identified (training, values, beliefs, resources and professional autonomy). Their daily practice (complexity in taking decisions, variability, lack of professional autonomy and safety) was compared with an ideal situation (using evidence it will be possible to normalise practice and to work more effectively in teams by increasing safety and professional recognition). It was decided to create five working areas about several clinical topics (mucositis, pain, anxiety, satisfaction, nutritional assessment, nauseas and vomiting, pressure ulcers and catheter-related problems) and seven changes in clinical practice were agreed upon together with 11 implementation strategies. Some reflections were made about the features of the study: the changes produced; the strategies used and how to improve them; the nursing 'subculture'; attitudes towards innovation; and the commitment as participants in the study and as healthcare professionals. CONCLUSIONS: The findings throw light on the process of change in the healthcare sector. The results are useful to modify nursing practice based on evidence.

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

The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of evidence implementation through participatory-action research (PAR). A prospective quasi-experimental design with two non-equivalent and non-concurrent groups (2006 and 2008) was adopted. The research was conducted at the bone marrow transplant unit of a tertiary-level Spanish hospital. To put the evidence in practice, PAR was adopted as an "intervention studied". The dependent variables were: professional performance and patient outcomes (psycho-emotional area and adverse effects). In total, 125 patients were recruited (1(st) period=56; 2(nd) period=69). The results in the second period show significant improvements in professional performance in terms of the quality of the registers of signs and symptoms. In the psycho-emotional area, the psycho-social adjustment improved significantly; without caregiver burden or satisfaction showing any clear tendencies. Among the adverse effects, catheter-related thrombosis and catheter-related infection improved significantly; there were no significant differences in the level of pain or mucositis. Through the PAR, evidence could be put in practice and the outcomes under analysis could be improved.

Effectiveness of participatory-action-research to put in practice evidence at a nursing onco-hematology unit / Avaliação da efetividade da aplicação de evidências por meio de pesquisa-ação-participante em uma unidade de enfermagem hematológica / Evaluación de la efectividad de la implantación de evidencias mediante una investigación-acción-participante en una unidad de enfermería oncohematológica

The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of evidence implementation through participatory-action research (PAR). A prospective quasi-experimental design with two non-equivalent and non-concurrent groups (2006 and 2008) was adopted. The research was conducted at the bone marrow transplant unit of a tertiary-level Spanish hospital. To put the evidence in practice, PAR was adopted as an "intervention studied". The dependent variables were: professional performance and patient outcomes (psycho-emotional area and adverse effects). In total, 125 patients were recruited (1st period=56; 2nd period=69). The results in the second period show significant improvements in professional performance in terms of the quality of the registers of signs and symptoms. In the psycho-emotional area, the psycho-social adjustment improved significantly; without caregiver burden or satisfaction showing any clear tendencies. Among the adverse effects, catheter-related thrombosis and catheter-related infection improved significantly; there were no significant differences in the level of pain or mucositis. Through the PAR, evidence could be put in practice and the outcomes under analysis could be improved.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a efetividade da aplicação de evidências pela pesquisa-ação-participante (PAR). Como método usou-se o desenho quase-experimental prospectivo, com dois grupos não equivalentes e concorrentes (2006-2008), em uma unidade de enfermagem para transplante de medula óssea de hospital terciário espanhol. A intervenção estudada foi a integração de evidências pela PAR. As variáveis dependentes estudadas foram: o desempenho profissional e os resultados de saúde nos pacientes (área psicoemocional e efeitos adversos). Recrutaram-se 125 pacientes (Grupo 1=56, Grupo 2=69). Pôde-se observar pelos resultados melhora significativa no segundo grupo, na qualidade dos registros de enfermagem na avaliação de sinais e sintomas do paciente. Na área psicoemocional, o ajuste psicossocial do paciente melhorou significativamente, porém, nenhuma mudança foi observada na sobrecarga do cuidador ou satisfação do paciente. Em relação aos efeitos adversos, tanto o bloqueio quanto a infecção relacionada ao cateter melhoraram significativamente, mas não foi encontrada nenhuma diferença na dor nem na mucosite. Conclui-se que a PAR tem servido para apresentar evidências e melhorar os resultados de saúde.

La finalidad fue evaluar la efectividad de la implantación de evidencias mediante una investigación-acción-participante (IAP). Diseño cuasi-experimental prospectivo con dos grupos no equivalentes ni concurrentes (2006 a 2008) en una unidad de enfermería de trasplante de medula ósea de un hospital español de tercer nivel. La intervención estudiada fue la implantación de evidencias mediante una IAP. Las variables dependientes: desempeño profesional y resultados de salud (área psico-emocional y efectos adversos). Se reclutaron 125 pacientes (1er grupo=56; 2º grupo=69). Se aprecia una mejoría significativa en el segundo grupo en la calidad de los registros de valoración de signos y síntomas. En el área psico-emocional, el ajuste psico-social mejora significativamente; no hay cambios en la sobrecarga ni la satisfacción. En efectos adversos, la obstrucción e infección relacionada con catéter mejoran significativamente; no hay diferencias en dolor y mucositis. La IAP ha servido para implantar evidencias y mejorar los resultados de salud.

Effectiveness of the implementation of an evidence-based nursing model using participatory action research in oncohematology: research protocol.

AIM: To generate changes in nursing practice introducing an evidence-based clinical practice (EBCP) model through a participatory process. To evaluate the effectiveness of the changes in terms of nurse-sensitive outcome (NSO). BACKGROUND: For international nursing science, it is necessary to explore the reasons for supporting EBCP and evaluate the real repercussions and effectiveness. METHODS: A mixed methods study with a sequential transformative design will be conducted in the bone marrow transplant unit of a tertiary-level Spanish hospital, in two time periods >12 months (date of approval of the protocol: 2006). To evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention, we will use a prospective quasi-experimental design with two non-equivalent and non-concurrent groups. NSO and patient health data will be collected: (a) impact of psycho-social adjustment; (b) patient satisfaction; (c) symptom control; (d) adverse effects. All patients admitted during the period of time will be included, and all staff working on the unit during a participatory action research (PAR). The PAR design will be adopted from a constructivist paradigm perspective, following Checkland's "Soft Systems" theoretical model. Qualitative techniques will be used: 2-hour group meetings with nursing professionals, to be recorded and transcribed. Field diaries (participants and researchers) will be drawn up and data analysis will be carried out by content analysis. DISCUSSION: PAR is a rigorous research method for introducing changes into practice to improve NSO.