Genomic Literacy among Nurses in Jordan: A Population-based Study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Genomic Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Genomic literacy is crucial for modern healthcare, enabling nurses to integrate genetic information into patient care.
• Understanding nurses' current genomic knowledge is essential for developing targeted educational interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the level of genomic literacy among Jordanian nurses.
• To evaluate their comprehension of fundamental genomic concepts and their perceived role in nursing practice.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational study was conducted.
• The Genomic Nursing Concept Inventory (GNCI©), a 31-item instrument, was administered to 751 Jordanian nurses.
• Data analysis included descriptive statistics to determine mean scores for different genomic knowledge areas.

Main Results:

• Overall genomic literacy among Jordanian nurses was found to be low, with low mean scores in genome basics, mutation knowledge, inheritance, and genomic healthcare.
• Nurses in oncology settings demonstrated higher genomic knowledge scores compared to those in other sectors (p < .001).

Conclusions:

• Significant gaps in genomic literacy exist among Jordanian nurses, impacting their ability to provide comprehensive genetic care.
• There is an urgent need for Jordanian nursing authorities to establish standardized competencies for genomic and genetically focused care.
• Improving genomic literacy is vital for nurses to deliver optimal patient care in an increasingly genetics-driven healthcare landscape.