SIDS education in nursing and medical schools in the United States

This study suggests there is a need to support the efforts already present to include SIDS in medical and nursing school curricula. Both programs have indicated a need for audiovisual and printed teaching materials. Consideration should be given to teaching materials that are easily updated such as computer-generated materials because of the many rapid changes that take place in SIDS research. Currently, textbooks are the most common source of educational material used by students. Textbooks could be supplemented with information from recent journals and current Web sites. Facilitation of clinical contact with families affected by SIDS is important. The availability of local SIDS resources should be stressed to both medical and nursing programs as well as opportunities for nursing student involvement in the activities of SIDS organizations. While lectures are often the only feasible way to deliver SIDS content to large groups of students, interactive teaching strategies and involvement with bereaved families probably would increase learning beyond the basic level. Nursing schools as well as medical schools, confronted with the realities of decreased faculty time and budgets, face major challenges in developing case-based curricula that prepare students for the next century (Zimmerman et al., 1997). To address these needs, curriculum notes were developed by the Education Working Party of the SIDS Global Strategy Task Force under the direction of Professor John C. Vance and printed in February 1998. The curriculum is divided into seven modules that include content and questions as well as references on a variety of issues. A problem-based learning package is included and is becoming increasingly popular as a teaching strategy (Amos & White, 1998; David & Patel, 1995). There is one case each for medical and nursing students in the curriculum package. This curriculum can be accessed at www. sidsaustralia.org.au. Other useful Web sites include: www.sidsalliance.org. The SIDS Alliance Web site provides support to families and information about SIDS. www.sidscenter.org. The National SIDS Resource Center Web site provides information and technical assistance for parents and professionals on SIDS and related topics. www.aap.org. The American Academy of Pediatrics Web site provides guidelines on sleep position and infant sleeping environment. www.asipl.org. The Association of SIDS and Infant Mortality Programs Web site includes publications and position papers. Finally, many states have SIDS services provided by professional programs and parent organizations. Students have the opportunity to work with these organizations to provide bereavement services and risk-reduction education. The organizations listed above can be contacted for further information.