Understanding genetics in nursing care – A qualitative interview study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the use of genetics/genomics (G/G) knowledge and competencies in a Danish nursing context.

Methods: Using a qualitative approach, thirteen Danish nurses representing different parts of the Danish health care system were interviewed about their experiences with G/G in daily practice. One focus group interview was conducted face to face, and nine individual semi-structured interviews were conducted partly face to face, partly online due to Covid-19 restrictions. Data were analyzed through systematic text condensation using the NVIVO13 tool (QSR International).

Results: We identified five themes: 1) The nature of genetics; 2) Knowledge about genetics; 3) The roles of the nurse; 4) Nurses’ engagement with patients and relatives; 5) Patient pathways. Ethics was a recurrent theme in all five themes.

Conclusions: The Danish nurses interviewed generally hold a narrow understanding of genetics i.e. defining it as heredity. They are involved in G/G aspects of care, although the extent and nature of this involvement varies considerably between different care settings. Hence, it seems unlikely that all nurses will require the same G/G knowledge and competencies. Nevertheless, the nurses share the belief that they should possess some basic knowledge about G/G to perform adequate nursing care. Their current knowledge about G/G is typically informed by practice and to a very small degree by their formal education. They agree that G/G literacy will be a general requirement in future nursing. Some of the nurses consider personalized medicine to be the golden road to better patient treatment and care. Some request more knowledge about G/G topics and a vocabulary to communicate adequately with doctors, patients and relatives on these issues. The importance of ethics is emphasized throughout the interviews.