Genetic content in Korean nursing textbooks

Due to the significant developments in genetic health services that have occurred, nurses now must strive to incorporate cutting-edge information from this fast-evolving field into their day-to-day practice. This study examined the amount and the content of genetics education in Korean nursing textbooks. We analyzed 165 textbooks that were published by four companies between 2005 and 2009. Eighty percent contained some information on genetics; however, the content was limited to bioscience, the latest information on common diseases, and nursing interventions in genetics. There was an average of six pages of genetics content in the seven specialized textbooks on nursing that were analyzed. This indicates that many topics on genetics need to be incorporated into Korean nursing education, especially in light of the recent genetic innovations in all curricular areas of nursing education. We recommend the establishment of strategic perspectives to bridge the content gaps in genetics education in nursing.