Kavanagh, Tricia, Stevens, Bonnie J., Seers, Kate, Sidani, Souraya and Watt-Watson, Judith H. (2010) Process evaluation of appreciative inquiry to translate pain management evidence into pediatric nursing practice. Implementation Science, Vol.5 (No.90). doi:10.1186/1748-5908-5-90 ISSN 1748-5908.

Preview

PDF WRAP_Seers_Evaluation.pdf - Requires a PDF viewer. Download (224Kb)

Request Changes to record.

Abstract

Background
Appreciative inquiry (AI) is an innovative knowledge translation (KT) intervention that is compatible with the Promoting Action on Research in Health Services (PARiHS) framework. This study explored the innovative use of AI as a theoretically based KT intervention applied to a clinical issue in an inpatient pediatric care setting. The implementation of AI was explored in terms of its acceptability, fidelity, and feasibility as a KT intervention in pain management.

Methods
A mixed-methods case study design was used. The case was a surgical unit in a pediatric academic-affiliated hospital. The sample consisted of nurses in leadership positions and staff nurses interested in the study. Data on the AI intervention implementation were collected by digitally recording the AI sessions, maintaining logs, and conducting individual semistructured interviews. Data were analysed using qualitative and quantitative content analyses and descriptive statistics. Findings were triangulated in the discussion.

Results
Three nurse leaders and nine staff members participated in the study. Participants were generally satisfied with the intervention, which consisted of four 3-hour, interactive AI sessions delivered over two weeks to promote change based on positive examples of pain management in the unit and staff implementation of an action plan. The AI sessions were delivered with high fidelity and 11 of 12 participants attended all four sessions, where they developed an action plan to enhance evidence-based pain assessment documentation. Participants labeled AI a 'refreshing approach to change' because it was positive, democratic, and built on existing practices. Several barriers affected their implementation of the action plan, including a context of change overload, logistics, busyness, and a lack of organised follow-up.

Conclusions
Results of this case study supported the acceptability, fidelity, and feasibility of AI as a KT intervention in pain management. The AI intervention requires minor refinements (e.g., incorporating continued follow-up meetings) to enhance its clinical utility and sustainability. The implementation process and effectiveness of the modified AI intervention require evaluation in a larger multisite study.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Health and Social Studies
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Appreciative inquiry, Children -- Surgery -- Nursing, Pain -- Treatment
Journal or Publication Title:	Implementation Science
Publisher:	BioMed Central Ltd.
ISSN:	1748-5908
Official Date:	20 November 2010
Dates:	Date Event 20 November 2010 Published
Volume:	Vol.5
Number:	No.90
DOI:	10.1186/1748-5908-5-90
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access (Creative Commons)
Funder:	Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Sigma Theta Tau International, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

Data sourced from Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge

Request changes or add full text files to a record

Repository staff actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads