N14 Professional profile of nurses working with inflammatory bowel disease in Brazil

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to identify the profile of nurses working with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Brazil and to characterise the Brazilian IBD units. Method(s): A cross-sectional and descriptive study was developed. Participants were: staff nurse, nurse-supervisors or nurse-teachers from public and private healthcare institutions with professional or academic experience in IBD. The identification of nurses was conducted through: the analysis of national curricula registered in the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, the access to the Brazilian Group of Studies of IBD' records or referral by colleagues. An online questionnaire composed by 37 questions covering the professional profile and the academic and professional training in IBD was developed. Result(s): 345 nurses were screened, 121 were eligible for the study and 70 answered the questionnaire. In the group: 88.6% were female; the age was 40.9 +/- 10.1 years; 65.7% were from the Southeast region; 30% had work experience of 6 to 10 years and 48.6% work in public hospitals. Concerning academic training: the average time for graduation was 14.3 +/- 9.9 years; 60% graduated from a private institution; 30% have a master's degree; 5.71% have a doctorate degree and 45.7% have not studied IBD during graduation. In addition, 74.3% reported insufficient knowledge to care for IBD patients and 84.3% would like to learn more about IBD. About the clinical experience, 61 participants (87.14%) have contact with IBD patients, of which: 40% in the outpatient clinic, 35.7% in stomatherapy and 35.7% in the hospitalisation unit. Eighty per cent of nurses work with adult population, 3.08% with paediatrics and 16.92% with both. Nursing care is based on the nursing process (50%) using as theoretical framework the Basic Human Needs Theory (35.7%). The most discussed topics during the nursing consultation are adherence to treatment (72.9%), ostomy (70%), quality of life (67.1%), disease activity (60%), diet and nutrition (54.3%) and treatment (50%). In most services, the team is multi-disciplinary and consists of: nurses (72.9%), coloproctologist (67.1%), gastroenterologist (58.6%), nutritionist (58.6%) and psychologist (44.3%). Regarding the centres' structure: 44 (62.9%) have an infusion centre; 28 (40%) promote clinical cases discussion; 74.3% are integrated in a hospital; 71.4% have an endoscopy department; 70% hold a surgical hospitalisation unit; 62.9%, computed tomography; 55.7%, magnetic resonance imaging; 60%, emergency department and 55.7%, service of pathology. Conclusion(s): We have identified a low number of IBD nurses in Brazil. There is a lack of IBD knowledge in nursing courses and most nurses would like to learn more about IBD.