Physical health care: exploring attitudes and confidence among learning disability nurses

Background In people with learning disabilities, physical health conditions are often managed inadequately or not identified and therefore not treated, leading to preventable premature deaths. Learning disability nurses have a crucial role in improving the physical health care provided to this patient population.Aim To explore the attitudes and confidence of learning disability nurses about their role in the physical health care of people with learning disabilities in inpatient care settings.Method A link to an online survey was sent to all nurses working in inpatient learning disability care settings in Scotland. The survey contained demographic, clinical training and lifestyle questions and a modified version of the Physical Health Attitudes Scale.Results Respondents generally had positive attitudes towards physical health care and were involved in many aspects of clients’ physical health care. Female gender, being a non-smoker and not being overweight were generally associated with more positive attitudes. There was a relative lack of confidence about knowledge of the side effects of psychotropic medicines and the signs and symptoms of hyperglycaemia or hypoglycaemia. The main barriers to physical health care delivery were difficulties in getting clients to follow advice on healthy eating and weight management.Conclusion Post-registration training on the physical health care of people with learning disabilities is likely to be beneficial.