An Initiative to Increase Awareness of Sickle Cell Disease in Queen’s Nursing Faculty and Students.

Introduction: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) significantly impacts patient outcomes and healthcare systems yet remains under-represented in health education. This study addresses the educational gaps among nursing faculty and students to enhance awareness and contribute to health equity. Methods: An awareness event was organised in the School of Nursing lobby, facilitated by the distribution of educational materials and promotional items provided by the Sickle Cell Awareness Group of Ontario. Participants, including faculty and students, engaged in a quiz comprising three questions designed to assess their knowledge of SCD. Responses were collected anonymously using Qualtrics, accessed via QR codes. Results: Of the 86 participants surveyed, including 12 faculty members and 74 students, 82.5% correctly answered all quiz questions. Misconceptions persisted regarding the exclusivity of the disease to certain populations and the protective effects of the sickle cell trait. The results indicate a solid foundational understanding of SCD among participants. Discussion: The initiative successfully raised awareness and pinpointed crucial educational deficiencies within nursing curricula. It underscored the necessity of integrating comprehensive SCD education to prepare healthcare providers better. Future research should explore the efficacy of specific educational interventions in improving knowledge retention and patient care outcomes, possibly extending to interprofessional teams for a broader impact.