Genetic/genomic literacy, attitudes and receptivity of nursing students and practising nurses: A cross-sectional online survey.

BACKGROUND

The growing demand for personalised nursing care in the genomic era requires nursing students and practising nurses to be better prepared to apply the knowledge of genetics/genomics to nursing practice. Several studies have shown that, despite having positive attitudes/receptivity towards integrating genetics/genomics into nursing practice, nursing students and professionals report a low level of genetic/genomic literacy. However, little is known about the status in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVES

We assessed and compared the genetic/genomic literacy and attitudes/receptivity towards integrating genetics/genomics into nursing practice among nursing students and practising nurses in Hong Kong. We also explored the relationships between the students' background characteristics, attitudes/receptivity towards integrating genetics/genomics into nursing practice and genetic/genomic literacy.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional online survey conducted between March 2020 and January 2022.

SETTINGS: A government-funded university in Hong Kong.

PARTICIPANTS

We recruited a convenience sample of 234 nursing students, 145 were final-year undergraduate students (median age = 22 years, 84.1 % female) and 89 were practising registered nurses (postgraduate students studying part-time programme, median age = 28 years, 77.5 % female).

METHODS

The survey collected the participants' background information, attitudes/receptivity towards integrating genetics/genomics into nursing practice and levels of genetic/genomic literacy.

RESULTS

Overall, the participants reported positive attitudes/receptivity towards practice integration but had low levels of genetic/genomic literacy. Practising nurses were more likely to have lower genetic/genomic literacy, but more positive attitudes/receptivity towards practice integration, than undergraduate students. Multiple regression analysis suggested that the level of study (postgraduate/undergraduate programme) and perceptions of the disadvantages of 'needing to re-tool professionally' were significant independent factors associated with the level of genetic/genomic literacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this study call for the strategic integration of genetics/genomics education into all levels of nursing education in Hong Kong and across the globe. In particular, sustained efforts should be made to ensure that practising nurses receive further education in genetics/genomics.