Experience and role of Italian nurses working in genetic clinics: a descriptive phenomenological qualitative study
Abstract Background In several countries, the role of the genetic nurse has developed over decades, becoming well-recognized and integrated into healthcare systems. In contrast, in Italy, this role is still emerging, with no formal legal recognition and limited awareness among healthcare professiona...
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Nursing |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-02659-5 |
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| author | Lea Godino Camilla Elena Magi Carla Bruzzone Stefano Bonora Marco Seri Liliana Varesco Daniela Turchetti |
| author_facet | Lea Godino Camilla Elena Magi Carla Bruzzone Stefano Bonora Marco Seri Liliana Varesco Daniela Turchetti |
| author_sort | Lea Godino |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background In several countries, the role of the genetic nurse has developed over decades, becoming well-recognized and integrated into healthcare systems. In contrast, in Italy, this role is still emerging, with no formal legal recognition and limited awareness among healthcare professionals and hospital administrators. Given this context, it is crucial to assess how the role and activities of nurses in genetic clinics in Italy are perceived. Methods Phenomenological qualitative study was performed. Three focus groups and one individual interview were conducted to collect data between April and November 2022 and transcribed verbatim. Phenomenological analysis was used to provide a comprehensive description of the overall thematic map and to interpret the data. Results A purposive sample of 14 Italian nurses with working experience in genetic clinics were recruited for interviews. Three themes were identified: (a) Education, (b) Working in genetic clinics, and (c) Acknowledgement of genetic nurse role. The absence of genetics education in nursing programs has led to on-the-job training in this field. The activities performed were unclear since they were neither standardized nor recognized. The role of the genetic nurse was not acknowledged, and in Italy, nurses trained in genetics did not have the opportunity to choose their recruitment as it was not voluntary. Conclusions This evidence highlights the need for formally recognizing the role of the genetic nurse in Italy. This could be achieved through the definition of standard activities and the implementation of formal education in genetics and genomic fields. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3614b3203ef24b608a4cea3c26cff6e9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6955 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Nursing |
| spelling | doaj-art-3614b3203ef24b608a4cea3c26cff6e92025-01-26T12:22:51ZengBMCBMC Nursing1472-69552025-01-0124111310.1186/s12912-024-02659-5Experience and role of Italian nurses working in genetic clinics: a descriptive phenomenological qualitative studyLea Godino0Camilla Elena Magi1Carla Bruzzone2Stefano Bonora3Marco Seri4Liliana Varesco5Daniela Turchetti6Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di BolognaDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of BolognaUnit of Hereditary Cancer, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San MartinoMedical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di BolognaMedical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di BolognaUnit of Hereditary Cancer, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San MartinoMedical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di BolognaAbstract Background In several countries, the role of the genetic nurse has developed over decades, becoming well-recognized and integrated into healthcare systems. In contrast, in Italy, this role is still emerging, with no formal legal recognition and limited awareness among healthcare professionals and hospital administrators. Given this context, it is crucial to assess how the role and activities of nurses in genetic clinics in Italy are perceived. Methods Phenomenological qualitative study was performed. Three focus groups and one individual interview were conducted to collect data between April and November 2022 and transcribed verbatim. Phenomenological analysis was used to provide a comprehensive description of the overall thematic map and to interpret the data. Results A purposive sample of 14 Italian nurses with working experience in genetic clinics were recruited for interviews. Three themes were identified: (a) Education, (b) Working in genetic clinics, and (c) Acknowledgement of genetic nurse role. The absence of genetics education in nursing programs has led to on-the-job training in this field. The activities performed were unclear since they were neither standardized nor recognized. The role of the genetic nurse was not acknowledged, and in Italy, nurses trained in genetics did not have the opportunity to choose their recruitment as it was not voluntary. Conclusions This evidence highlights the need for formally recognizing the role of the genetic nurse in Italy. This could be achieved through the definition of standard activities and the implementation of formal education in genetics and genomic fields.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-02659-5Genetic clinicsGenetic nurseCompetencies |
| spellingShingle | Lea Godino Camilla Elena Magi Carla Bruzzone Stefano Bonora Marco Seri Liliana Varesco Daniela Turchetti Experience and role of Italian nurses working in genetic clinics: a descriptive phenomenological qualitative study BMC Nursing Genetic clinics Genetic nurse Competencies |
| title | Experience and role of Italian nurses working in genetic clinics: a descriptive phenomenological qualitative study |
| title_full | Experience and role of Italian nurses working in genetic clinics: a descriptive phenomenological qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Experience and role of Italian nurses working in genetic clinics: a descriptive phenomenological qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Experience and role of Italian nurses working in genetic clinics: a descriptive phenomenological qualitative study |
| title_short | Experience and role of Italian nurses working in genetic clinics: a descriptive phenomenological qualitative study |
| title_sort | experience and role of italian nurses working in genetic clinics a descriptive phenomenological qualitative study |
| topic | Genetic clinics Genetic nurse Competencies |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-02659-5 |
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