Background: Literature supports the mismatch between empirical evidence and service delivery. Given this knowledge gap, it is important that research undertaken has a theoretical foundation, considers the context and stakeholders to confirm its need and that it can be feasibly implemented and sustained.

Objectives: The study aimed to facilitate knowledge translation in oral care using the knowledge-to-action (K2A) process model among nurses.

Method: The study was completed in an acute hospital in South Africa. A qualitative design with ethnography incorporating video-recordings and semi-structured interviews were used. A total of 139 nurses were recruited using random purposive sampling and received training on oral care, which was monitored. Inductive thematic analysis was completed.

Results: The model facilitated information transfer and implementation of oral care by nurses.

Conclusion: With clear directions for use and theoretical underpinning, the K2A model was well-suited to the needs of the study and stakeholders, and the complexity of the context. For challenging contexts such as public healthcare institutions in South Africa, this was ideal and critical to the success of the intervention.

Contribution: When nursing managers show interest and recognise nurses for their role in implementation of interventions, the buy-in, support and sustained use of that intervention is enhanced. A model such as the K2A promotes involvement of all stakeholders (e.g. nurses and their managers) in the design and planning for implementation of an intervention, and these are critical for the successful and feasible use of the intervention.

Keywords: knowledge-to-action process model; oral care; nursing; acute; South Africa.

Introduction

Knowledge translation provides a means of merging existing knowledge and new evidence to close the gap between research and practice. Barriers to knowledge translation in South Africa (SA) and other similar contexts, range from being structural and resource related, to systemic rules and regulations as well as human traits of attitudes, perceptions, and assumptions (Grimshaw et al., 2012). Ultimately, contextual considerations are fundamental to any change in healthcare service delivery. Internationally, healthcare practitioners struggle to translate empirical evidence into intervention while facilitating optimal and timeous outcomes (Field et al., 2014). The mismatch that exists between research findings and implementation thereof confirms that change is not automatic and if it happens, sustainability must not be assumed. The National Health Service Institute for Innovation and Improvement has estimated that up to 70% of all organisational change is not sustained over time (Ilott et al., 2013a). Selecting an appropriate framework, theory or model would provide the necessary interface to address the diverse and dynamic variables that hinder knowledge translation (Damschroder et al., 2009) and once selected should elucidate and ensure sustainability of the intervention with measures to monitor the variables that are likely to influence the intervention over time (Chambers et al., 2013). This study reveals how the knowledge-to-action (K2A) framework devised by Graham and colleagues (2006), facilitated implementation of oral care among nurses working in an acute hospital in SA.

Following a review of the literature, different models to facilitate implementation of research, that is, knowledge translation have been described in the literature (Davis & Conti, 2003). Insufficient attention given to the patient in the model by Pathman and colleagues (1996) and the minimisation of context in the model by Green and colleagues (1980) made both these models unsuitable for the requirements of this study. Variables such as persons involved in the intervention (e.g., nurses), the recipients of the intervention (i.e., the patient), as well as the systemic parameters operating within the context (e.g., a hospital) cannot be divorced from the how, who or why of the actual process or intervention (i.e., oral care) that requires changing. Graham et al. (2006) conceptualised the K2A model as a synthesis of available evidence on knowledge translation (Figure 1). This model was applicable for this study context in the sense that the process of knowledge creation is dynamic and starts from what is known. Of relevance is the focus for knowledge to be adapted to the needs and circumstances of the local context, thereby addressing feasibility of the intervention for the context. The K2A model offered an inclusive framework to consider the variables that contribute to the challenges that nurses faced working in public healthcare in SA.

Graham et al. (2006) suggest that knowledge is derived from an empirical and experiential basis. As there is movement of knowledge through the funnel, it becomes more distilled and refined (Graham et al., 2006, p. 18). Knowledge inquiry is first generation knowledge that is in its natural state and largely unrefined. Knowledge synthesis represents the aggregation of existing knowledge. This process involves feedback, discussion and critique to understand the needs of the stakeholders and context to formulate the research questions and aims of the planned intervention. The third tier represents knowledge tools or products. The purpose of the tools is to present knowledge in a clear, concise and user friendly way with explicit meanings to facilitate uptake and application of knowledge (Graham et al., 2006). The action cycle frames the knowledge creation funnel and represents the activities that are necessary to apply the knowledge. Graham et al. (2006) recommend the identification of facilitators or supports that may prove beneficial in implementation of the intervention. The next phase of the model represents the dissemination, planning and execution of the intervention to facilitate and promote awareness and implementation of knowledge. Identifying barriers and facilitators is crucial for this phase to proceed effectively. Once the implementation initiatives commence monitoring the use of knowledge begins and proceeds into the next phase. For this, Graham et al. (2006) notices the importance of defining what constitutes knowledge use to allow measurement. It is important to monitor knowledge use to assess the extent to which it is translated into action. The role of the intervention in bringing about the desired change is also evaluated at this phase. It is thereafter necessary to define the impact of using the knowledge in the next phase, that is, whether the efforts to improve the uptake of knowledge were successful or not. The last phase considers sustainability to ensure continuity of the intervention that has been shown to be effective.

With a population of 60.6 million (Stats SA, 2022) and approximately 84% of the population relying on public health services (National Treasury Fiscal Review, 2017), holistic patient care is a challenge in SA. One aspect of care often compromised is oral care, which falls within the remit of nurses. Given this statistics, public healthcare institutions in SA are stressed and overburdened, with those working in the system dealing with the ramifications (Khamisa et al., 2017; Manyisa & Van Aswegen, 2017). Nurses being frontline workers in hospitals shoulder the burden of inundated wards; insufficient nurses to cope with the numbers of patients accessing health services, poor to no recognition for nurse contribution to patient care and so forth. High workloads for nurses have culminated in emotional and psychological burnout (Rispel, 2015). Having to cope with high patient numbers, non-essential routines such as oral care are compromised. This has adverse implications for the patient as more studies continue to document the positive outcomes of oral care for atrial fibrillation and heart failure (Chang et al., 2020), a lower incidence of pneumonia among frail individuals (Manger et al., 2017) and improved oral health with type 2 diabetes mellitus (Simon et al., 2019). A study of nurses working in intensive care unit (ICU) in SA found that despite knowledge of aspiration and contaminated secretions, nurses did not complete oral care (Perrie & Scribante, 2011). Participants reported seeing no evidence of the benefit of oral care to patient outcome. Oral hygiene when compared with other nursing routines is least enjoyed by nurses (Hanne et al., 2012). Medication dispensing, monitoring of vital signs and feeding are understandably considered priority nursing routines. This article contends that it is equally important for nurses to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and clinical skills to perform oral care efficiently given its documented contribution to patient well-being and recovery (Hanne et al., 2012). Considering the context described, it appeared that the K2A model could offer a solution to address the needs of the context and the implementation of oral hygiene and oral care by nurses. This was explored in this study.

Research methods and design

The aim was to explore the use of the K2A model to facilitate knowledge translation in oral care among nurses working in an acute general medical ward in SA. A qualitative design with ethnography was employed. Ethnography provided direct access to what nurses did, as well as what they say they did. Oral care in terms of frequency and the routine was observed as part of the ethnography. Ethnography including video-recordings, semi-structured and informal interviews were the tools used in the study. The research was undertaken within the medical wards in an acute, adult intake government hospital in Johannesburg, SA. A total of 139 nurses were recruited using random purposive sampling. Nurses from different categories as detailed here, were included as participants (Subedar, 2005):

All participants provided written consent to participate in the study. Consent from hospital management was obtained and was followed by ethnography of the medical wards over a 5-month period (January 2013 – end May 2013) and proceeded with once weekly in January 2013 – April 2013 to daily 6-h daily observations. The aim and content of the observations did not change. Any activity related to oral care was observed. Following training, the oral care routine itself that used by nurse participants was observed in terms of how it was performed, utensils used, time it took, and level of participation from the patient. Over the weeks, changes in these aspects were observed. A needs analysis discussion with nurses followed the ethnography. A pilot study was conducted (described below) followed by data collection for the main study (which involved training and monitoring of oral care implementation). Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Analysis was data-driven to avoid bias given the volumes of published work (nationally and internationally) that provide a negative and unfavourable view on nurses, nursing culture, and nursing as a profession (Aikman, 2019; Crawford et al., 2019; Drennan & Ross, 2019). Data from the ethnography, semi-structured and informal interviews as well as video and audio recordings (of nurse training, nurse implementation of oral care and at mealtimes) were compared and checked against each other. The video and audio recordings were conducted before, during and after mealtimes, but with no set schedule. Flexibility in terms of when recordings were completed was necessary to accommodate the nurses and how they worked. All video recordings were completed by the author. The oral care routine was reviewed and completed using a checklist (Appendix 1). Respondent validation occurred during the course of the interviews. The oral care protocol was self-developed as a synthesis of existing standard hospital oral care protocols (in SA) and that developed by Brady et al. (2006). Frequency of oral care provision, use of equipment (toothbrush, oral suctioning unit), and resources (toothpaste, mouth rinse, lip care, dental floss) were observed.

Ethical considerations

Ethical clearance to conduct this study was obtained from the University of the Witwatersrand Human Research Ethics Committee (No. M091166).

Results

Literature concedes that process, context and sustainability are core components of any intervention study such as the one reported in this article (Grimshaw et al., 2012; Pinnock et al., 2017; Shepperd et al., 2009). Pinnock et al. (2017) highlight the importance of the reporting format and content thereof to ensure that effects of the intervention can be reasonably translated into clinical practice for the benefit of the individuals from that context. The results cover these aspects commencing with identification of the practice gap to implementation and finally sustainability of the intervention as per the K2A model.

Problem identification – The gap in practice (Figure 1): The ethnography provided the researcher with an overview of oral care implementation in wards. Inconsistent to no oral care before breakfast and no rinsing of mouth after any meal was observed. Independent patient tooth-brushing was observed for a minority of patients with toothbrushes. The observations were unpacked in a needs analysis discussion with hospital management, the senior nurses, that is, nurse sister, and the nurses caring directly for patients. All stakeholders acknowledged oral care as a low priority routine (the gap in practice), resulting in poor to no implementation thereof.

Contextual needs – Adapt knowledge to local context (Figure 1): The ethnography and needs analysis discussion concluded the following:

A consensus was reached on the need for oral care training for nurses. The format and structure of the training were explored and confirmed as part of the pilot study, taking into account the variables within the context (i.e., number of nurses in a ward at any given time, nurse to patient ratio, and time availability).

Pilot study (part of adapt knowledge to local context): The pilot study aimed to confirm the length of the training session, the content validity of the information, and that the materials to be used for training were appropriate. The training format and structure were also confirmed. Altering the context to suit the needs of the study was not considered as per the K2A model. Training had to support the context. Results of the pilot study confirmed that one-on-one training at the patient bedside was most feasible as:

This training format addressed the requirements of the context, and was acceptable to hospital managers, nurse managers, and nurses. The materials used in the training, that is, the posters, booklet on oral care and pictures (all developed by the author specifically for the intervention) as well as the resources used, that is, gauze, forceps and mouthwash solution, were acceptable to the nurses and available within the wards. Adapting to the needs of the context supported the K2A model and contributed towards sustainability of the intervention, that is, oral care training. It also facilitated capacity building for nurses with maintenance of skills for use with all patients after completion of the study. Following consent from the patient and nurse, training was conducted at the patient bedside. The trained nurse subsequently implemented oral care (Appendix 1: Oral care protocol) until patient’s discharge.

The K2A model acknowledged the continuous movement and interaction between knowledge creation and the surrounding action cycle, highlighting that knowledge is continuously changing and that this in turn required action (practice) to change accordingly. The information and tools were therefore purposefully selected to ensure that they would be acceptable and useful to nurses to facilitate change in practice (Ilott et al., 2013b).

Adapting knowledge and assessing barriers to knowledge use (Figure 1): In view of the context of oral care in the hospital described here, careful consideration of barriers and facilitators to implementation and involvement of the nurses was critical. To enhance inclusivity, nurse managers, nursing sisters, and nurses were involved in the design, content and delivery of the training to prevent disconnection between the drivers of the intervention and those implementing the intervention (Gruen et al., 2008). Barriers that emerged from the ethnography included:

Modelling and demonstration, direct one-on-one feedback and individually tailoring the level of information provision was implemented to accommodate the different levels of qualification of the nurse participants. Adopting an interactive and participatory model as opposed to a didactic model of instruction produced favourable nurse participation and transfer of clinical skills (Tryssenaar & Gray, 2004). Provision of a continuing professional development certificate to recognise the training on oral care and opportunity for professional responsibility facilitated this process.

Select, tailor, and implement interventions (Figure 1): Oral care training was collaborative involving the nurse participants, researcher, as well as nurse and hospital management. There was consensus in the design of how the training would happen, the content of the training, the duration and manner of training. Based on the barriers identified here, the aids to training were selected. Table 1 provides a list of supplementary materials used.

The involvement and collaboration with all stakeholders aligned with requirements of the K2A model (Graham et al., 2006).

Monitor knowledge use (Figure 1): All nurse participants recorded each oral care session that was completed. Oral care was completed in the morning before breakfast; mouth rinsing after breakfast, lunch and dinner; and mouth rinsing had to precede any consumption of water (Appendix 1). Furthermore, nurses were required to record each completed mouth care session. Recordings were reviewed daily and incomplete records were brought to the attention of the nurse participant. Randomly timed video recordings of the nurses completing the oral care routine were captured. Cross checking the written records, the video recordings and information from the interviews completed the triad of data collection sources. The use of multiple sources allowed verification of information from one source against information from a different source. Recordings indicated that oral care was implemented 99.7% of the time. Three ‘no recordings’ were identified. Table 2 captures some comments from the nurses under their recording of mouth care.

Video recordings provided evidence that nurses were correctly implementing oral care in line with the training and schedule. The protocol presented with some challenges for patients who required suctioning largely because of contextual shortcomings where suction equipment at the patient’s bedside was not always in working condition. However, when the suction equipment was working, oral care for the patient requiring suctioning was in fact shorter by 3 min – 4 min on average. The video recordings confirmed that less patient compliance and cooperation was needed as the patient was not required to spit out or rinse their mouth. The nurse was able to accomplish this using the suctioning equipment.

Evaluate outcomes (Figure 1): The outcomes of the study aligned with the following objectives that were achieved: (1) feasible and accepted training method and strategies for knowledge transfer of oral care, (2) regular implementation of oral care and (3) sustained implementation of oral care. As observed, one-on-one training was cost-effective, time-effective, and enhanced knowledge translation of the content. The outcome of the training was positive. Themes identified from the interviews were:

Facilitating sustainability of the intervention (Figure 1): Sustainability was ensured via these measures:

Discussion

This study confirmed the value of extensive stakeholder consultation to alleviate misfit between stakeholder and facility needs and implementation of intervention strategies (Wensing & Grol, 2019). Macleod et al. (2014) elaborated on the financial, patient and societal ramifications of failure to act on research findings. It was against this backdrop and in considering the harmful consequences of poor knowledge translation, specifically in the area of oral care that this study was undertaken.

Similar barriers, that is, professional, systemic and organisational were noticed by Grimshaw et al. (2012). Thus, the intervention was tailored to address these barriers. Consultation, active engagement, and hands-on involvement from all the listed stakeholders at each step of the research process promoted more communication exchange, patient discussion, and consultation. The value of health managers, health administrators and on the ground healthcare practitioners in the conceptualisation, design and implementation of interventions was clear (Morsiani et al., 2017; Wensing & Grol, 2019). The K2A model addressed the issue of a lack of monitoring by management and consequent feelings of disregard felt by the nurses. The buy-in, understanding and commitment from managers and nurses from the conceptualisation of the study to the implementation was key to the success of the intervention.

Interlinked to the context, was behaviour and attitude. Typically, professionals work in silos albeit for the same patient. As noticed here, high patient numbers and poor working conditions adversely impacted work morale and job satisfaction among nurses in SA (Mayosi & Benatar, 2014; Nesengani et al., 2019). Behaviour and attitude are recognised as two of the greatest challenges in knowledge translation historically (Mallidou et al., 2018). The training platform prescribed to a collaborative model of patient care that required frequent and direct communication between the nurse and other health professionals. Implications of holistic patient care are implicit within a collaborative model, and this was attained in this study. Knowledge translation to address a knowledge-to-action gap requires active collaboration between the researcher and knowledge-users and when achieved, the benefits of knowledge translation are results that extend beyond the lifetime of the research project. There was evidence to support that oral care for patients continued after completion of the project. The K2A model offered the researcher clear direction and directives on considerations for the project. It enabled use and practice of strategies and techniques in an efficient and effective manner thereby avoiding additional burden on already overstretched services and staff. Regarding the outcome of collaboration, a lesson learned was ensuring that the benefits of collaboration were not gained at the cost of further levels of stress and frustration for the nurse.

Effective communication enhanced implementation of oral care with provision of direct support, one-on-one training, and monitoring structures (Wensing & Grol, 2019). The study confirmed that a linear, unidirectional and passive flow of information from research to practice was incongruent with attaining knowledge translation as observed by Weiss (1979). The need for face-to-face contact with and involvement of the nurses in the process improved collaboration when caring for patients. The findings of the study echoed the sentiments of Cornwall and Jewkes (1995) ‘research strategies that emphasize participation are gaining greater respectability and attention within mainstream health research in developed and developing countries’. Nurse participation reinforced their active contribution to patient-related decisions and this in turn enhanced nurses’ autonomy.

This study was deemed successful in the sense that nurses implemented oral care with minimal prompting and evidence in the form of positive outcomes for the patient. The benefit of the study for nurses within the SA context was also made explicit by one nurse participant:

Conclusion

The K2A model provided the theoretical and clinical framework for the study as it facilitated information transfer on oral care among a group of nurses working in an acute government hospital in SA and enabled practical implementation of oral care by the nurses who received the training. This had relevance for SA and health professional researchers such as speech pathologists, given the healthcare challenges and resource constraints. The model was applicable to the needs of the study, the complexity of the context, and stakeholders. Importantly, it promoted adaptation of the required knowledge to suit the context and not vice versa. For contexts that offer unique challenges such as those faced by government healthcare institutions in SA, this was ideal and critical to the success of the intervention. In closing the existing gaps in clinical practice in SA, the importance of engagement and consultation with the end-users of the intervention cannot be over-emphasised. Edwards et al. (2019) emphasise the critical need to identify viable methods for knowledge translation in developing contexts such as Africa, to capitalise on shared-learning given that research funding, research initiatives and research capacity are often limited in these contexts. Efforts in research initiatives with appropriate theoretical frameworks may provide a platform to address gaps in practice and enhance patient care and inter-professional partnerships while managing patients.

While sustainability was tracked and monitored from a qualitative perspective, clearer quantitative measures were not completed. Thus, this component of the action cycle was acknowledged as a limitation of the study. Although measures such as journaling and debriefing were completed throughout the research process for the researcher, it is possible that elements of subjectivity resulted in a more favourable perspective of nursing by the researcher.

Implications for nursing management

Implications for healthcare professionals

Acknowledgements

The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationships that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article.

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analysed in this study.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any affiliated agency of the authors.

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Original Research

The knowledge-to-action process model for knowledge translation in oral care in South Africa

Jaishika Seedat

Abstract

Introduction

Research methods and design

Ethical considerations

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

Implications for nursing management

Implications for healthcare professionals

Acknowledgements

Competing interests

Author’s contributions

Funding information

Data availability

Disclaimer

References

Appendix 1

Oral care protocol and checklist