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

Abstract

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. Relevance to practice: Including ID care in national undergraduate and postgraduate nursing curricula must become a nursing educational and professional priority to support nurses more fully in their practice to ensure patients with ID receive the highest attainable standard of nursing care.