Dissertation
Psychiatric nurse collected three-generation pedigrees: the first step towards integrating genetic risk assessment with the comprehensive health history
Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.), Drexel University
24 May 2015
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6491
Abstract
Background and Purpose: The collection of family health histories by healthcare professionals provides a non-invasive, reliable means for identifying patients at risk for the development of various illnesses. Research shows that family health histories are under-utilized and the majority of healthcare professionals do not integrate genetics with disease risk assessment. The purpose of this project was to perform a 'needs assessment' to identify the current knowledge about and use of three-generation pedigrees as a component of the comprehensive health histories gathered by registered nurses working in the mental health setting. This information could be utilized to create a tailored learning module to increase the genetic core competencies of the psychiatric nurse. Method: A quantitative approach applying descriptive statistics to summarize the results of a self-administered paper-based survey focused on five areas of inquiry: 1) Participants' characteristics, 2) belief and practice, 3) comprehension of three generation pedigrees of health history, 4) comprehension of genetic links to disease and 5) a skill demonstration. Survey Results: The characteristics of the population sample were consistent with those of a national sample. The 39% (n=12) of participants had less than five years of experience in nursing with 84% (n=26) having not attended a course in genetics. These participants' responses reflected a high level of support for innovation and 77% (n=24) agreed family health history as an important component of bedside care. Yet, only 48% (n=15) of the participants attempted to diagram a 3 generation pedigree most likely due to a lack of knowledge about the procedure. Clinical Implications/ Recommendations: To comprehend the importance of risk identification for mental health illnesses requires psychiatric nurses to possess genetic core competencies. Performing a 'needs assessment' is the first step to comprehend current knowledge and support the development of a future learning module.
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Details
- Title
- Psychiatric nurse collected three-generation pedigrees
- Creators
- Kathryn McLaughlin - DU
- Contributors
- Ellen Giarelli (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- 50 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Doctoral Nursing; Nursing (Graduate); College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 6491; 991014632430604721