Evaluating knowledge transfer between the clinical nurse specialist and stoma patient as they adjust to their new ways of living: an extended review

This review arose from an interest in how specialist nurses facilitate the needs of patients with newly formed stomas as they adapt and adjust to their new lifestyle. Specialist nurses in stoma care are pivotal in supporting patients through what is considered turbulent times for them. Following a database search, 22 research papers were identified to review and evaluate how knowledge transfer is assumed. Five themes were identified; patient perceptions and experiences, unmet patient needs, giving and getting information, timely conversations, efficacy of the specialist nurses' knowledge, skill and aptitude. In summary this review suggests that although the specialist nurse is key to the new stoma patient's recovery, the needs of the patient remain unmet. In order to address this, the specialist nurse needs to tailor the information given to patients and deliver in a manner that is comprehensive to the patient; the success of which appears to depend on the particular skill set of the nurse.