Genetic content in Japanese language nursing textbooks

The purpose of this study was to assess the amount of genetic content included in Japanese language nursing textbooks. A total of 222 Japanese nursing textbooks for registered nurses, public health nurses, and nurse midwives published by five publishers in 2001 were evaluated for genetic content. The textbooks were reviewed for content in fundamental knowledge of genetics, genetic diseases, genetic counseling, and nursing care for patients with genetic problems. Results from the review indicated that although information about genetics was found in more than half of the textbooks, descriptions of the roles of nurses in genetic counseling and nursing interventions related mostly to single gene disorders. These findings suggest that not all Japanese nursing textbooks contain genetic content and that they do not include the latest knowledge concerning common diseases and genetic nursing interventions. Although the study did not review other educational methods, based on these findings, nursing educators in Japan should introduce textbooks with genetic information that will prepare registered nurses, public health nurses, and nurse midwives to remain current in genetic concepts and to apply these concepts to their nursing roles through genetic counseling and patient care.