How Advances in Genomics are Changing Patient Care

Developing competencies in genetics nursing: Education intervention for perinatal and pediatric nurses

Nurses need to be appropriately trained in genetics to provide clinical care based on best practice for patients and families. This exploratory study describes an educational intervention using authentic stimulus material centered on a clinical case study of a family with a baby with Down syndrome. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from a sample of 15 nurses and 27 students from three universities in Japan before and after completing an entry-level workshop on competency-based genetics nursing. Participants reported increased perceived genetics knowledge and clinical confidence. Despite more than 90% of the participants reporting that they understood the underlying genetics knowledge, their confidence and the ethical aspects of genetics nursing had not been promoted after the seminar. In contrast, the reflections, coded into three categories, showed they recognized families' needs for psychological support, family decision making, and protection and privacy and suggested that nurses had undergone a profound shift in understanding about these issues. Although indicating that a single seminar was insufficient, the study findings will be useful to develop educational materials on genetics for both students and nurses.

A theoretical framework for interaction of nursing discipline with genetics and genomics

Background

Since the completion of the Human Genome Project, health science has been strongly influenced by the advances in genetics and genomics. However, the progress of embracing genetics and genomics into nursing discipline is limited. One of the main barriers is lack of understanding on the relevancy of genetics and genomics to nursing discipline.

Objectives

This paper aims to synthesize and develop a theoretical framework for the interaction of nursing discipline with genetics and genomics.

Methods

Through content analysis and constant comparative method, a theoretical framework was developed from synthesis of the studies regarding nursing and genetics/genomics indexed in multiple English and Chinese databases.

Results

Four main theoretical statements were constructed in the framework: 1) There are three ways to show how genetics and genomics can influence nursing discipline: a new specialty, new technologies and a new lens; 2) The significant contribution of nursing discipline to genetics and genomics lies in how nurses could focus on the association between human responses and genes and how nurses could advocate for their clients in the genetic and genomic era; 3) A paradigm shift occurs after a constant interaction of nursing discipline with genetics and genomics; 4) Implementation strategies could be used to facilitate the integration of genetics and genomics to nursing discipline and advance the paradigm shift.

Conclusions

The framework will help to understand the relationship between nursing discipline and genetics and genomics and implicate the future studies integrating genetics and genomic science into nursing discipline.

Genomics Education: Knowledge of Nurses Across the Profession and Integration Into Practice

BACKGROUND

Since the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003, the implications of genetics and genomics for health and illness have become clearer. All nurses, at all levels and across all specialties, must have a basic understanding of genetics and genomics to provide appropriate care. 
.

OBJECTIVES

This article provides an overview of the integration of genetics and genomics into nursing education, as well as continued barriers to nursing knowledge of genetics and genomics.
.

METHODS

A literature review was conducted using CINAHL®, PubMed, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. Databases were reviewed for literature published from January 1962 to November 2017.
.

FINDINGS

Although genetic and genomic education has been integrated into undergraduate and graduate nursing curricula, a gap exists in this knowledge among student nurses, practicing nurses, and nursing faculty.

Management of Lipids in Patients with Diabetes

Abnormal lipids, sometimes referred to as diabetes dyslipidemia, is a common condition in patients with diabetes. With the increasing number of patients with abnormal lipids, especially those with type 2 diabetes, health care practitioners, including nurses, have to properly manage patients with diabetes as well as abnormal lipids. This article examines the pathophysiology of abnormal lipids, the management of abnormal lipids, and the lipid goals for patients with diabetes. Lastly, this article discusses pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies and the role of primary care providers and nurses in the management of abnormal lipids.

Nurses' knowledge and educational needs regarding genetics

BACKGROUND

Nurses now require a basic knowledge of genetics to provide patient care in a range of settings.

OBJECTIVES

To determine Turkish registered nurses' current knowledge and educational needs in relation to genetics.

DESIGN

A descriptive, cross-sectional study.

SETTINGS

Turkish registered nurses working in a university hospital in Turkey were recruited.

PARTICIPANTS

All registered nurses were invited to participate and 175 completed the study.

METHODS

The survey instrument, basic knowledge of health genetics, confidence in knowledge and the nurses' need for genetics education were used to collect data.

RESULTS

The majority (81.1%, n=142) of participants indicated that genetics was not taught during their degree program, although 53.1% to 96% of respondents felt confident in defining different genetic concepts. The average genetics knowledge score was 6.89±1.99 of a possible 11 (range 0-11). The majority (70.3%) expressed a strong wish to attend a continuing nursing education program in genetics.

CONCLUSIONS

The study shows that although Turkish nurses are not sufficiently knowledgeable to apply genetics in practice, they are willing to have more education to support their care of patients. Nurses need to have more education related to genetics in accordance with advances in human genetics to optimize health care.