Nursing the Patient With Developmental Disability in Hospital

Abstract

Our aim in this narrative inquiry was to understand the roles of paid carers supporting adults with developmental disability and complex communication needs in hospital, from the perspectives of 15 paid carers, 15 adults with developmental disability, and 15 hospital nurses. Results demonstrated that paid carers have an important role in supporting the adult with disability, providing information, delivering basic care, and facilitating communication. Stories reflected paid carer volunteerism; lack of orientation of carers and hospital staff to the paid carers’ roles; blurred role boundaries between paid carers, family carers, and nurses; and paid carers being uncertain about their own responsibilities for staff and patient safety. New policies and practice guidelines are needed to guide both health and disability services in clarifying paid carer roles and role boundaries, and to enable paid carers and hospital staff to work together effectively on the ward in the care of adults with developmental disability.