The impact of intellectual disability nurse specialists in the United Kingdom and Eire Ireland: An integrative review.

Only eight studies were included, all from the United Kingdom and Ireland, so the findings may not apply to other health systems. The included studies were qualitative or mixed-methods with small samples, so they describe reported experiences and processes, not measured patient outcomes. Participants included nurses, carers, families and health professionals, so perceptions may influence the reported themes. The review did not test the nurse specialist role against an alternative or no intervention in a controlled way. Length-of-stay reduction is mentioned in the Discussion and was not a primary outcome of this review.

Do not conclude that intellectual disability nurse specialists improve patient outcomes. This review synthesised small qualitative and mixed-methods studies, not controlled outcome trials, and the length-of-stay reduction mentioned in the Discussion was not a primary outcome.