Nurses' perceptions of personal attributes required when working with people with a learning disability and an offending background: a qualitative study

Understanding the contribution of intellectual disabilities nurses: Paper 3 of 4 - evaluation

The overall objective of this research was to identify intellectual disability nursing interventions and their impact on the health and healthcare of people with intellectual disability. This is part 3 of a 4-part series. In this paper we report the findings from quantitative questions from an online survey of intellectual disability nurses. The objective of this part of the study was to a evaluate intellectual disability nurses' confidence in their understanding of the interventions they undertook. Quantitative data was collected using an online survey questionnaire from a voluntary response and snowball sample of 230 participants from 7 countries. Thematic, descriptive statistical, and inferential statistical analyses were undertaken. The evaluation data suggest and demonstrate a lack of clarity among intellectual disability nurses of the interventions they can effectively undertake. There appears to be correlations between lack of role clarity and the types of employer organisations and countries. Further work need to be undertaken by nurse leaders ascertain and address this lack of clarity.

The value and contribution of intellectual disability nurses/nurses caring for people with intellectual disability in intellectual disability settings: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

People with intellectual disability experience poorer health and healthcare access issues. As a leading role in healthcare provision for people with intellectual disability nurses are key to supporting person-centred care and health outcomes. However, little is known about specialist intellectual disability nursing and their contribution to care provision for people with intellectual disability.

METHODS

A systematic scoping review. Searches of seven academic databases including MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Academic Search Complete, PsycINFO, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science were conducted to identify relevant literature. Literature addressing intellectual disability nursing or nursing care for people with intellectual disability in intellectual disability centres/units/care homes were reviewed and reported as per PRISMA-ScR checklist and PRISMA flow diagram.

RESULTS

The published literature (n = 68) is extensive and describes the value and contribution of intellectual disability nursing across all domains of professional practice and supports a biopsychosocial-educational approach to addressing the physical, mental and social needs of clients with intellectual disability across the care continuum of health management, health promotion and health education.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the importance of the review question and the large volume of publication evidence detailing wide-ranging professional nursing roles and responsibilities, there remains limited literature on the assessment and intervention strategies employed by intellectual disability nurses that highlight their specialist knowledge and skill. Future research should focus on making the role of the nurse more visible and presenting their unique contributions to client care, service delivery, policy and ultimately to the art and science of nursing.

'It's a good thing we're doing, we just need to be better at it'. Forensic intellectual disability nursing experiences of Transforming Care: A multi-perspectival interpretive phenomenological analysis

BACKGROUND

Concerns have been expressed regarding the impact of Transforming Care (TC) an English deinstitutionalisation mandate, on forensic services. With nursing staff positioned as significant in delivering TC; this research explored nursing experiences.

METHOD

Nine face-to-face semi-structured interviews were completed with nursing staff working in either inpatient or community forensic teams. Multi-perspectival interpretive phenomenological analysis was used to explore participants' experiences. Interviews were analysed independently, prior to a mini meta-synthesis.

RESULTS

Participants from the inpatient group experienced TC as a threat, which resulted in consistency of perspective and practice. Participants from the community group viewed TC as a worthwhile challenge, which presented opportunity. The community infrastructure was experienced as inadequate by both groups, with the needs of people in forensic services needing more consideration, leading to widespread frustration.

CONCLUSIONS

The blanket approach of TC may not be suitable for this population, with those leading TC perceived as naïve.