title: Development of a competency tool for adult trained nurses caring for people with intellectual disabilities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop and test a competency assessment tool for adult trained nurses caring for people with intellectual disabilities in hospital.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The report 'Death by indifference' in 2007 highlighted inadequate care given to people with intellectual disabilities in hospital. This study sought to develop and test a competency assessment tool for adult trained nurses in the care of this patient group.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of the literature informed the topic guide for focus groups (n = 4) with experienced adult trained nurses, learning disability nurses and people with intellectual disabilities (n = 25). Expert interviews (n = 29) were conducted to identify emergent themes. A draft competency assessment tool was reviewed by an expert panel (n = 5) and tested within a convenience sample (n = 34; response rate 28%) at a local district general hospital across several clinical specialities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The participants considered themselves to be either 'novice' or 'competent' across most items. The tool was then redrafted and minor amendments made. 'Little or no knowledge' or 'novice' was reported in areas such as consent, diagnostic overshadowing and management of self harm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of the competency assessment tool will support assessment of current levels of knowledge and skills and inform educational provision of the workforce.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of the competency assessment tool will inform nursing management of skill levels and educational need.
authors.affiliation: Community Nursing, Kings College London, Florence Nightingale School of Nursing & Midwifery, King's College, London, UK.
authors.forename: Alison E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: While
authors.forename: Louise L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000451:nursing*; D008297:Male; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009726:Nurses / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: competency tool; intellectual availability