Whilst there are clear problems associated with making recommendations based on the findings of a small scale GT study, there are some areas for consideration and further research highlighted by this study.
A key issue raised was the lack of consistency in the coverage of illicit drug use during training. This lack of consistency is particularly interesting when it is noted that all of the participants were recruited from the same school of nursing. It is not unreasonable to assume that if inconsistency occurs within one school of nursing this will be reflected at a national level.
Concerns over the omission of substance misuse from nurse education are far from new (Rassool and Oyefeso, 1993 and O'Gara et al., 2005), but the findings of this study reemphasise these concerns. Respondents confirmed that they would like more factual information on drug use within their course, mentioning issues such as the physical effects of drugs and treatment interventions as areas for further learning. Deficits in knowledge could result in a reluctance to engage with substance using patients/clients.
Assessing the effects of education on the subsequent attitudes of professionals is difficult. Recent articles by Ford et al., 2008 and Ford et al., 2009, based on a cross-sectional survey of qualified nurses indicated that workplace education without organisational role support is ineffective in improving qualified nurses' therapeutic attitudes towards working with illicit drug using patients/clients. However, longitudinal changes in attitudes and subsequent practice are difficult to measure and evaluate. The participants in the current study indicated that their views had been influenced by the stereotypes of illicit drug use presented in media and society in general. Challenging such views may influence attitudes at an individual level with the potential to influence care for this patient/client group. Further research will be required to assess the impact of any future educational interventions linked to illicit drug use.
Whilst there are clear problems associated with making recommendations based on the findings of a small scale GT study, there are some areas for consideration and further research highlighted by this study.
A key issue raised was the lack of consistency in the coverage of illicit drug use during training. This lack of consistency is particularly interesting when it is noted that all of the participants were recruited from the same school of nursing. It is not unreasonable to assume that if inconsistency occurs within one school of nursing this will be reflected at a national level.
Concerns over the omission of substance misuse from nurse education are far from new (Rassool and Oyefeso, 1993 and O'Gara et al., 2005), but the findings of this study reemphasise these concerns. Respondents confirmed that they would like more factual information on drug use within their course, mentioning issues such as the physical effects of drugs and treatment interventions as areas for further learning. Deficits in knowledge could result in a reluctance to engage with substance using patients/clients.
Assessing the effects of education on the subsequent attitudes of professionals is difficult. Recent articles by Ford et al., 2008 and Ford et al., 2009, based on a cross-sectional survey of qualified nurses indicated that workplace education without organisational role support is ineffective in improving qualified nurses' therapeutic attitudes towards working with illicit drug using patients/clients. However, longitudinal changes in attitudes and subsequent practice are difficult to measure and evaluate. The participants in the current study indicated that their views had been influenced by the stereotypes of illicit drug use presented in media and society in general. Challenging such views may influence attitudes at an individual level with the potential to influence care for this patient/client group. Further research will be required to assess the impact of any future educational interventions linked to illicit drug use.
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