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The quandary of registered nurses untrained in adult intellectual disability nursing when caring for this diverse patient group in acute care settings: an integrated literature review
Journal article   Peer reviewed

The quandary of registered nurses untrained in adult intellectual disability nursing when caring for this diverse patient group in acute care settings: an integrated literature review

Virginia Anne Howie, Anthony Joseph Welch, Eleanor Sandra Horton and Lisa Anne Wirihana
Journal of Clinical Nursing, Vol.30(11-12), pp.1542-1555
2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15663
PMID: 33462921
Appears in  UniSC Diversity and Inclusion Research Collection
url
https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15663View
Published Version

Abstract

hospitals Registered nurses intellectual developmental disorder nurse-patient relations nursing education nurses intellectual disability acute care UniSC Diversity Area - Disability and Inclusion
Aims and Objectives: To critically appraise relevant literature on the lived experiences of registered nurses caring for adults with intellectual disability in the acute care setting in Australia to determine current knowledge and gaps in the literature. Background: People with intellectual disability have the right to the highest attainable health care the same as everyone else. However, inequities still exist in the delivery of health care across the globe, including Australia that result in poorer health outcomes for this population group. Part of the problem is a lack of understanding of the complexities of ID care due to an absence of ID specific content in undergraduate curricula. Design: Integrative literature review. Methods: Electronic databases were searched for relevant empirical and theoretical literature. Additional articles were found by reviewing reference lists of selected articles resulting in ten articles for review. Selected articles were critically appraised using JBI critical appraisal tools. Data were analysed using comparative thematic analysis. PRISMA checklist completed the review. Results: Two main themes emerged from the data that informed the gap in knowledge: (a) Defining nursing practice; and (b) Confidence to practice. Conclusions: There was limited qualitative research published on the topic. International studies revealed that a lack of understanding of the ID condition due to inadequate education left registered nurses feeling underprepared, unsupported and struggling to provide optimal care. No studies were located on the phenomenon within the Australian context. A study exploring the lived experiences of RNs in Australia is needed to offer a deeper understanding of the phenomenon that will help inform practice.

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Domestic collaboration
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Nursing

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#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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