Effect of Telenursing on Oral Health

The Effect of Telenursing Interventions on Oral Health in Individuals With COPD

This research will be conducted using a pre-test and post-test control group experimental design to evaluate the effect of telenursing intervention on oral health in individuals with COPD.

Studies evaluating the effectiveness of oral health interventions in individuals with COPD are limited in the literature. Maintaining oral health is a crucial part of patient care. Sustainable nursing interventions are necessary from the onset of the disease to the end of life. Patient education conducted by nurses is important in improving medication adherence and preventing comorbidities. Furthermore, it is known that practices involving a multidisciplinary team approach with nurse participation reduce readmissions and hospital stays for COPD patients. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effect of telenursing intervention on oral health in individuals with COPD. The experimental group will receive oral health education via telenursing intervention (via video call) and daily oral health reminders. The control group will not receive education. Oral health education for the experimental group is planned to be given within 24 hours after the pre-test. The experimental group will be invited to the hospital one month after the oral health education for evaluation of oral health and quality of life related to oral health, and the control group will be invited one month after the pre-test.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants must have been diagnosed with COPD for at least 6 months,
• receive inpatient treatment in internal medicine and surgical clinics,
• signed the informed consent form to participate in the study,
• have internet access and a mobile device with Android/iOS operating system,
• be able to use a phone,
• ≥ 40 years old,
• have no communication barriers,
• mild (Stage 1), moderate (Stage 2), severe (Stage 3), or very severe (Stage 4) stages according to the GOLD (2023) report.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Those diagnosed with COPD less than 6 months ago,
• Those receiving outpatient treatment,
• Those hospitalized in the intensive care unit,
• Those without internet access and a mobile device with Android/iOS operating system,
• Those who do not have the ability to use a phone,
• Those under 40 years of age,
• Those with communication barriers,
• Those who wish to withdraw from the research/withdraw from participation during the research process,