Nurses’ role in Caring for Children with Autism in hospitals admitted for somatic reasons to reduce suffering
Tan, Alexis (2023)
Tan, Alexis
2023
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202302222706
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202302222706
Tiivistelmä
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition where individuals with this condition have communication and social interaction disabilities. These individuals are both seen through their lack of proper communication skills or combined with behavioral disorders that affect them throughout their lives. Children, in particular, are greatly impacted by this condition due to their underdeveloped coping skills and reduced ability to communicate their pain or suffering, especially when admitted for hospitalization for somatic reasons. The review is about the challenges pediatric nurses have when encountering children with autism who are hospitalized for medical or surgical reasons. The aim of this review was to map the existing literature and evidence-based practices for children with ASD. Its purpose was to aid nurses in practice to gather knowledge and evidence-based strategies based on guidelines so that nurses can better serve the specific needs of autistic children. Searching for guidelines was critical so that nurses in caring for these children with ASD more effectively and ease the suffering of these children with ASD. The research method selected for this study was a scoping review, in order to survey literature already written about the subject. This document assessed seven publications using appropriate methodological writing guidelines to produce reliable conclusions. Two nursing guidelines were found to answer one of the two research questions in this review. Communication, safety and security, proper endorsement and preparation for ASD patients’ comorbidities for good healthcare quality, and training and experience for nurses were the main themes that emerged from the inductive analysis done for this review. It was determined that there is a need for evidence-based standards in order to provide effective care for children with autism spectrum conditions. There is a limited amount of research available on the most effective nursing techniques. But with adequate guidelines and training, and knowledge of a child's individual needs, there may be ways to address these challenges effectively, modifying the nurses’ care plan for these ASD children. Findings are inconclusive but knowledge can be drawn from this review, for future use in guidelines and regulations making especially concerning the care of children with ASD.