Groenkjaer Lea Ladegaard
Lea Ladegaard Groenkjaer, MSN, RN, is PhD Student at Department of Medicine V (Hepatology and Gastroenterology), Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.
Gastroenterol Nurs. 2015 Jan-Feb;38(1):22-30. doi: 10.1097/SGA.0000000000000086.
This study aimed, for the first time, to explore hepatology nurses' knowledge and education in the oral care and oral health assessments of patients with liver cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis can be associated with lifestyles and behaviors that contribute to oral neglect and untreated oral inflammation. This inflammation can represent foci for systemic infections, with increases in morbidity and mortality rates. A questionnaire consisting of 26 closed- and open-ended questions was used to determine among hepatology nurses the extent of knowledge, education, and current practices in oral healthcare among hepatology nurses. The study involved a sample of 94 nurses employed in different gastroenterology and hepatology units, with a response rate of 73%. The results indicated that respondents lacked substantial oral care education, both in connection with their initial training and after qualifying as nurses. The respondents had inadequate knowledge of basic oral health, the equipment used for oral care, and medications' adverse effects on oral health. These results indicate a need for educational updates in cooperation with dentists and for the promotion of specific oral assessment guides in patients with liver cirrhosis.
本研究首次旨在探索肝病护理人员在肝硬化患者口腔护理及口腔健康评估方面的知识与教育情况。肝硬化可能与导致口腔忽视及未治疗的口腔炎症的生活方式和行为有关。这种炎症可能成为全身感染的病灶，导致发病率和死亡率上升。一份由26个封闭式和开放式问题组成的问卷被用于确定肝病护理人员在口腔医疗保健方面的知识、教育及当前实践程度。该研究涉及94名受雇于不同胃肠病学和肝病科的护士样本，回复率为73%。结果表明，受访者在初始培训及取得护士资格后，都缺乏大量的口腔护理教育。受访者对基本口腔健康、口腔护理所用设备以及药物对口腔健康的不良影响了解不足。这些结果表明，需要与牙医合作进行教育更新，并推广针对肝硬化患者的特定口腔评估指南。
