Otago exercise programme-from evidence to practice: a qualitative study of physiotherapists' perceptions of the importance of organisational factors of leadership, context and culture for knowledge translation in Norway

Background

Falls and fall-related injuries are a major public health problem and an international priority for health services. Despite research showing that evidence-based fall prevention is effective, its translation into practice has been delayed and limited. Although organisational factors such as leadership, culture and context are key factors for implementing evidence-based practice, there is still limited information on whether these factors represent barriers in the Norwegian and international healthcare context. Thus, this study aimed to explore the views of physiotherapists in clinical practice and their leaders’ views on the importance of organisational factors, such as leadership, culture and contextual and human resources, regarding successful knowledge translation of the Otago evidence-based fall programme in a Norwegian community.

Methods

Four in-depth interviews with physiotherapists and a focus group interview with nine physiotherapists and leaders representing local hospitals and municipalities were conducted to collect data. The data were analysed using a thematic analysis.

Results

The analysis yielded an overarching theme: an empowering leader as an anchor is needed for successful knowledge translation of physiotherapists’ and leaders’ views about the role of organisational structure, leadership, culture, financial resources and competence in research-based knowledge, as well as how to enhance the clinical staff’s expertise. Four main themes further elaborated on the overarching theme: (1) multifactor leadership—the importance of reinforcement, knowledge, goals and attention; (2) potential for change in professional roles as shaped by culture, context and type of practice; (3) knowledge translation—the tension between real-life capabilities, optimism and learning; and (4) different types of support—environmental resources and social influences.

Conclusions

This study highlighted the importance of organisational factors in knowledge translation in fall prevention. The findings emphasise the importance of leaders’ role and style in providing a supportive culture and contextual factors during the knowledge translation process. This study provides an understanding of the knowledge translation and sustainability of evidence-based practice and the Otago exercise programme for fall prevention programmes for community-dwelling older adults in Norway.

Supplementary Information

Supplementary information accompanies this paper at 10.1186/s12913-020-05853-8.

Organisational factors influencing non-pharmacological management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in public hospitals across Lagos, Nigeria: A qualitative study of nurses' perspectives

BACKGROUND

The prevalence and incidence of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are significantly increasing in Nigeria. Effective management of the condition, in clinical settings, can be achieved with a minimal financial cost, but this is often overlooked. It is crucial to understand organisational factors influencing non-pharmacological management of T2DM in Nigerian public hospitals for effective management of patients diagnosed with the condition.

AIM

To examine healthcare delivery services influencing patient management and seek approaches to heighten optimisation of patient health outcomes.

METHODS

Adopting a qualitative case study design, we used the Constant Comparative Method and semi-structured questions to interview17 nurses in public hospitals across Lagos. Using the five stages of the Framework Analysis process, the transcribed interviews were thematically analysed.

RESULTS

Nurses suggested that a complex, multifaceted system constituted organisational factors influencing T2DM management in public hospitals across Lagos, Nigeria. Specific factors identified were levels of available information and knowledge, relationship, policy and decision-making management. These factors were, in turn, linked to political, infrastructural, health professional and the environments within which patients were given health services.

CONCLUSIONS

The study revealed a significant gap in the organisation of care for individuals diagnosed with T2DM in public hospitals across Lagos. Timely and affordable strategies have been highlighted to secure effective care delivery to patients.

Effect of organisational factors on the variation in incidence of delirium in intensive care unit patients: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis

BACKGROUND

Delirium occurs frequently in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and is associated with numerous deleterious outcomes. There is a large variation in reported delirium occurrence rates, ranging from 4% to 89%. Apart from patient and treatment-related factors, organisational factors could influence delirium incidence, but this is currently unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review delirium incidence and determine whether or not organisational factors may contribute to the observed delirium incidence in adult ICU patients.

METHODS

Systematic review of prospective cohort studies reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Included articles were independently assessed by two researchers. Quality of the articles was determined using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist. Subsequently, apart from patient characteristics, a meta-regression analysis was performed on available organisational factors, including hospital type, screening method and screening frequency.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to 27 January 2017, without language limitation.

RESULTS

A total of 9357 articles were found, of which 19 articles met the inclusion criteria and were considered as true delirium incidence studies. The articles were of good methodological quality (median [interquartile range] 32/38 [30-35] points), published between 2005 and 2016, originated from 17 countries. A total of 9867 ICU patients were included. The incidence rate of delirium varied between 4% and 55%, with a mean ± standard deviation of 29 ± 14%. Data relating to three organisational factors were included in the studies, but they were not significantly associated with the reported delirium incidence: hospital type (p 0.48), assessment methods (p 0.41), and screening frequency (p 0.28).

CONCLUSIONS

The mean incidence of delirium in the ICU was 29%. The organisational factors found including methods of delirium assessment, screening frequency, and hospital type were not related to the reported ICU delirium incidence.

Organisational factors and occupational balance in working parents in Sweden

BACKGROUND

Parents with small children constitute a vulnerable group as they have an increased risk of sick leave due to stress-related disorders compared to adults without children. It has been shown that mothers and fathers to small children together spend more time in paid work than any other group, which could create negative stress and an experience of low occupational balance.

AIM

The aim of this study was to examine associations between organisational factors and occupational balance among parents with small children in Sweden.

METHODS

Data were collected by a survey including questions about occupational balance, organisational factors and age, sex, employment rate, work position, monthly household income, number of children at home, separation/divorce last five years and overtime. The total number of parents included in this study was 718 (490 mothers and 228 fathers). Logistic regression models were applied to examine the odds ratios for occupational balance in relation to organisational factors.

RESULTS

Parents who experienced positive attitudes towards parenthood and parental leave among colleagues and managers were more likely to experience high occupational balance than parents who experienced negative or neutral attitudes. Having a clear structure for handover when absent from work was also strongly associated with high occupational balance.

CONCLUSIONS

The result of the present study indicates that some organisational factors could be important for the occupational balance of parents with small children.