Assessing the Nurse Anesthesiologists’ Self-Perceived Preparedness to the Care for Individuals With Intellectual and Development Disability: A Cross Sectional Survey-Assessing the Nurse Anesthesiologists’ Self-Perceived Preparedness to the Care for Individuals With Intellectual and Development Disability: A Cross Sectional Survey

Assessing the Nurse Anesthesiologists’ Self-Perceived Preparedness to the Care for Individuals With Intellectual and Development Disability: A Cross Sectional Survey

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A recent study published in the AANA Journal highlights a significant gap in the training of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) regarding the care of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This is crucial as around 6.5 million people in the U.S. have IDD and often require anesthesia during medical procedures. A survey of 277 nurse anesthetists and student nurse anesthetists found that 55% reported inadequate IDD training in their programs, and 90% acknowledged the need for enhanced training. Significantly, only 24% considered themselves competent in caring for patients with IDD.<br /><br />The study underscores the necessity of integrating IDD-focused training into nurse anesthesia curricula to address the complex healthcare needs of this population. The research was conducted using a cross-sectional survey and analyzed through various statistical methods. Results showed no current structured IDD training within nurse anesthesia programs and a strong demand among participants for such education.<br /><br />Key findings highlight the lack of IDD-specific courses and the perceived inadequacies in current training programs. Many respondents, particularly those with over 10 years of experience, expressed a need for postgraduate IDD education. These sentiments align with existing literature on deficiencies in healthcare education concerning IDD, often leading to discrimination or suboptimal patient care.<br /><br />This study advocates for the incorporation of structured IDD training and competencies into nurse anesthetist education. The potential solution involves curricular updates to include IDD courses, focusing on practical skills and comprehensive care principles for this patient group. The ultimate goal is to equip healthcare providers with the necessary skills to offer high-quality, patient-centered care to individuals with IDD, thus addressing a significant healthcare inequality.

Keywords

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists

CRNAs

intellectual and developmental disabilities

IDD

nurse anesthesia training

healthcare education

curriculum development

patient-centered care

healthcare inequality

AANA Journal