The value and contribution of intellectual disability nurses/nurses caring for people with intellectual disability in intellectual disability settings: A scoping review

Abstract

Background: People with intellectual disability experience poorer health and healthcare access issues. As a leading role in healthcare provision for people with intellectual disability nurses are key to supporting person-centred care and health outcomes. However, little is known about specialist intellectual disability nursing and their contribution to care provision for people with intellectual disability.

Methods: A systematic scoping review. Searches of seven academic databases including MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Academic Search Complete, PsycINFO, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science were conducted to identify relevant literature. Literature addressing intellectual disability nursing or nursing care for people with intellectual disability in intellectual disability centres/units/care homes were reviewed and reported as per PRISMA-ScR checklist and PRISMA flow diagram.

Results: The published literature (n = 68) is extensive and describes the value and contribution of intellectual disability nursing across all domains of professional practice and supports a biopsychosocial-educational approach to addressing the physical, mental and social needs of clients with intellectual disability across the care continuum of health management, health promotion and health education.

Conclusions: Despite the importance of the review question and the large volume of publication evidence detailing wide-ranging professional nursing roles and responsibilities, there remains limited literature on the assessment and intervention strategies employed by intellectual disability nurses that highlight their specialist knowledge and skill. Future research should focus on making the role of the nurse more visible and presenting their unique contributions to client care, service delivery, policy and ultimately to the art and science of nursing.

Keywords: biopsychosocial-educational approach; contribution; domains of professional practice; intellectual disability; nursing; role; value.