Nursing personnel's views on oral health from a health promotion perspective: a grounded theory analysis.
The aim of this study was to develop a model for how nursing personnel view oral health in general and the oral health of the care receivers in particular, applying a health promotion perspective and using grounded theory analysis. Data were collected through interviews with 17 nursing personnel, selected by strategic sampling. Analysis of the transcribed interviews showed that there were four strategies, related to staff education, hospital resources, and leadership motivation. The strategies were grounded in data and emerged from the interaction between the two main categories: 'the valuation of the importance of oral health' and 'the behavior towards oral health maintenance'. They were characterized as the routine, theoretical, practical, and flexible strategies, with the latter considered ideal. As increased knowledge is one important part in enhancing the nursing personnel's ability to perform oral hygiene procedures, there is a need for education among nursing personnel, primarily among those using a routine strategy.
Paulsson
Gun
G
School of Social & Health Sciences, Halmstad University, and Oral Health Center, Central Hospital, Sweden. Gun.Paulsson@hos.hh.se
Söderfeldt
Björn
B
Nederfors
Tommy
T
Fridlund
Bengt
B
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016321:Dental Care for Aged / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009633:Nonverbal Communication; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D009909:Oral Health; D012107:Research Design