N16 Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) Nurses’ role and level of practice in Ireland: a National online survey
A.M. Keogh1, D. Farrell2
1Department of Gastroenterology, University College Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland, 2Tralee institute of Technology, Nursing Department, Tralee, Ireland
Background
The role of the IBD nurse is evolving in Ireland. While Ireland has a sound base of expertise and infrastructure for providing IBD services, the lack of a dedicated specialist nurse was found to be the most significant barrier to delivering best care (ISG, 2016). There is currently no data on the role and level of practice of IBD nurse nationally.
Methods
A cross-sectional, descriptive online survey was undertaken. The 72-item survey was adapted from the tool used in the National UK IBD standards survey (Mason et al 2012) and underpinned by the Standards and Requirements for Clinical Nurse Specialists (NMBI, 2008). The survey was distributed to all members (
Results
A total of 35 nurses working in IBD services across 22 hospitals nationally completed the survey, including IBD Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) (24%), IBD Clinical Nurse Managers II (CNM) (18%), IBD Nurses (12%), IBD Research Nurses (12%), Staff Nurses (9%); Infusion Nurses (6%), and IBD Advanced Nurse Practitioners (6%). The majority of respondents worked in adult IBD services (94%), with most working in their IBD role between 3 to 6 years and within gastroenterology up to 10 years. Only 44% of respondents work exclusively in IBD. The highest level of education reported was masters (40%), degree (40%); however, 75% of respondents have not completed a postgraduate diploma in gastroenterology. Services provided by nurses included patient education (94%), telephone advice line (81%), coordinating biologic service (69%), screening patients prior to administrating biologics (66%), email service for patients (59%), development of initiative for the IBD service (56%), coordinating care of inpatients (53%), follow-up (53%) and rapid access clinics (53%). Over half of respondents (61%) reported working unpaid overtime (typically 1–2 hours per week), with service suspended in their absence (45%). 36% of participants conducted original research and 48% conduct audits on their service.
Conclusion
IBD nurse’s role and level of practice varies greatly in Ireland. Many nurses are working in diverse roles with a wide variety of titles providing an extensive service to patients, often at a higher level than is recognised within their role title. IBD nurses are highly educated and well experienced; however the lack of specialist education has resulted in nearly as many IBD CNM’s as CNS’s which is causing variation in the title of the IBD nurse. There is a need for the development of a postgraduate programme in gastroenterology to include IBD and more IBD nurse specialists to deliver a quality, evidence-based service.