Presenter Information

Sarah CoughlinFollow

Start Date

18-8-2017 10:00 AM

End Date

18-8-2017 11:30 AM

Abstract

Abstract

Individuals with Down Syndrome have a longer life expectancy due to medical advancements made over the past several years. This creates a concern that nurses are not being effectively educated to provide competent care for this population. The purpose of this research was to conduct an integrated literature review which identified nursing knowledge deficits in providing competent care for patients with Down Syndrome. It also examined how nurses can be best educated to provide care for individuals with Down Syndrome to improve their quality of life. Scholarly articles were found searching scholarly databases such as PubMed and CINAHL Complete. Evidence was collected to verify the lack of education nurses receive when it comes to providing care to individuals with intellectual disabilities. In order to improve quality of health care for patients with Down Syndrome, nursing curriculums need further development, measure must be taken to implement preventive health for individuals with Down Syndrome, and health care providers must understand that treating all patients equally does not mean treating all patients the same. The research concluded that, in the field of nursing, a gap in knowledge exists in providing care for those with Down Syndrome confirming the need for further nursing education for this population.

Keywords: down syndrome, nursing, education

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Aug 18th, 10:00 AM Aug 18th, 11:30 AM

Nurses Lack Education in Caring for Patients with Down Syndrome

Abstract

Individuals with Down Syndrome have a longer life expectancy due to medical advancements made over the past several years. This creates a concern that nurses are not being effectively educated to provide competent care for this population. The purpose of this research was to conduct an integrated literature review which identified nursing knowledge deficits in providing competent care for patients with Down Syndrome. It also examined how nurses can be best educated to provide care for individuals with Down Syndrome to improve their quality of life. Scholarly articles were found searching scholarly databases such as PubMed and CINAHL Complete. Evidence was collected to verify the lack of education nurses receive when it comes to providing care to individuals with intellectual disabilities. In order to improve quality of health care for patients with Down Syndrome, nursing curriculums need further development, measure must be taken to implement preventive health for individuals with Down Syndrome, and health care providers must understand that treating all patients equally does not mean treating all patients the same. The research concluded that, in the field of nursing, a gap in knowledge exists in providing care for those with Down Syndrome confirming the need for further nursing education for this population.

Keywords: down syndrome, nursing, education

 

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