{"title":"Bridging the Gap: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis of the Value of Developmental Disabilities Nurses.","authors":"Melissa L Desroches","doi":"10.1111/jocn.70572","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>To explore how developmental disabilities nurses conceptualise their specialty's contribution to health and well-being.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Qualitative study informed by critical realism and reflexive thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Eighteen experienced developmental disabilities nurses recruited at the 2023 Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association conference completed semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants described developmental disabilities nursing as bridging the gap between people with developmental disabilities and care systems. This bridge integrated embodied values, specialist expertise and person-centered knowing and connecting throughout the nursing process. Key activities included figuring it out, aggressive advocacy, cultivating understanding and care planning and oversight, helping ensure nothing fell through the cracks and supporting longer, fuller lives.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Developmental disabilities nursing integrates specialist expertise, values and person-centered care to bridge fragmented systems and address health inequities.</p><p><strong>Implications for the profession and/or patient care: </strong>Education and workforce development should recognise and strengthen developmental disabilities nurses' specialist contributions. WHAT PROBLEM DID THE STUDY ADDRESS?: This is the first empirical US study examining how developmental disabilities nurses conceptualise their specialty's contribution. WHAT WERE THE MAIN FINDINGS?: Developmental disabilities nurses bridge fragmented systems through specialist expertise, embodied values, person-centered care and distinctive nursing interventions. WHERE AND ON WHOM WILL THE RESEARCH HAVE AN IMPACT?: Findings inform nurses, educators, organisations, policymakers, researchers, people with developmental disabilities and families.</p><p><strong>Reporting method: </strong>This study adhered to the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research and was informed by the Reflexive Thematic Analysis Reporting Guidelines.</p><p><strong>Patient or public contribution: </strong>Theme development was refined through professional dialogue with Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association members during an interactive conference presentation and optional survey.</p>","PeriodicalId":50236,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Clinical Nursing","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6000,"publicationDate":"2026-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Clinical Nursing","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.70572","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"NURSING","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Aims: To explore how developmental disabilities nurses conceptualise their specialty's contribution to health and well-being.
Design: Qualitative study informed by critical realism and reflexive thematic analysis.
Methods: Eighteen experienced developmental disabilities nurses recruited at the 2023 Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association conference completed semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis.
Results: Participants described developmental disabilities nursing as bridging the gap between people with developmental disabilities and care systems. This bridge integrated embodied values, specialist expertise and person-centered knowing and connecting throughout the nursing process. Key activities included figuring it out, aggressive advocacy, cultivating understanding and care planning and oversight, helping ensure nothing fell through the cracks and supporting longer, fuller lives.
Conclusion: Developmental disabilities nursing integrates specialist expertise, values and person-centered care to bridge fragmented systems and address health inequities.
Implications for the profession and/or patient care: Education and workforce development should recognise and strengthen developmental disabilities nurses' specialist contributions. WHAT PROBLEM DID THE STUDY ADDRESS?: This is the first empirical US study examining how developmental disabilities nurses conceptualise their specialty's contribution. WHAT WERE THE MAIN FINDINGS?: Developmental disabilities nurses bridge fragmented systems through specialist expertise, embodied values, person-centered care and distinctive nursing interventions. WHERE AND ON WHOM WILL THE RESEARCH HAVE AN IMPACT?: Findings inform nurses, educators, organisations, policymakers, researchers, people with developmental disabilities and families.
Reporting method: This study adhered to the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research and was informed by the Reflexive Thematic Analysis Reporting Guidelines.
Patient or public contribution: Theme development was refined through professional dialogue with Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association members during an interactive conference presentation and optional survey.
期刊介绍：
The Journal of Clinical Nursing (JCN) is an international, peer reviewed, scientific journal that seeks to promote the development and exchange of knowledge that is directly relevant to all spheres of nursing practice. The primary aim is to promote a high standard of clinically related scholarship which advances and supports the practice and discipline of nursing. The Journal also aims to promote the international exchange of ideas and experience that draws from the different cultures in which practice takes place. Further, JCN seeks to enrich insight into clinical need and the implications for nursing intervention and models of service delivery. Emphasis is placed on promoting critical debate on the art and science of nursing practice.
JCN is essential reading for anyone involved in nursing practice, whether clinicians, researchers, educators, managers, policy makers, or students. The development of clinical practice and the changing patterns of inter-professional working are also central to JCN''s scope of interest. Contributions are welcomed from other health professionals on issues that have a direct impact on nursing practice.
We publish high quality papers from across the methodological spectrum that make an important and novel contribution to the field of clinical nursing (regardless of where care is provided), and which demonstrate clinical application and international relevance.
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