Attitudes of Registered Nurses caring for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in an acute care setting: A mixed method study

Volume 7, Issue 4, August 2022     |     PP. 262-266      |     PDF (301 K)    |     Pub. Date: July 31, 2022
DOI: 10.54647/cm32881    70 Downloads     4666 Views  

Author(s)

Marie Lourdes Charles, Pace University-College of Health Professions-Lienhard School of Nursing, United States
Kathleen Marsala-Cervasio, City University of New York-CUNY School of Professional Studies, United States

Abstract
Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) avoidable health disparities, which may be related to healthcare professionals’ attitudes. To examine the attitudes and experiences of nurses caring for adults with I/DD in the acute care setting.Methods A mixed method approach was utilized. Data was collected from January to March 2021. Data collection consisted of the ATDP-B questionnaire completed by 31 RNs and Eight RNs interviewed via Zoom. ResultsQuantitative data from the ATDP-B questionnaire revealed most nurses had negative attitudes towards disabled persons. Four themes emerged from the qualitative data: Experience, setting, emotional responses, and education. DiscussionPractice implications include knowledge deficits and lack of confidence reported by the participants. Incorporating nursing care of adults with I/DD in the curriculum and in practice may improve patient safety and health equity for all individuals.

Keywords
Attitudes, acute care, nurses, nursing education, adults, intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities

Cite this paper
Marie Lourdes Charles, Kathleen Marsala-Cervasio, Attitudes of Registered Nurses caring for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in an acute care setting: A mixed method study , SCIREA Journal of Clinical Medicine. Volume 7, Issue 4, August 2022 | PP. 262-266. 10.54647/cm32881

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