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People with intellectual disabilities can have various healthcare needs across their lifespan, which may be closely linked to genetic, biological and/or psychosocial factors. As a result, they may require medicines – some of which may be administered intramuscularly – for various clinical reasons, including as part of the treatment of a range of comorbid physical and mental health conditions. Additionally, this population may not fully understand why certain medicines are administered via the intramuscular (IM) route, nor the potential risks that are involved. Some people with intellectual disabilities may find it distressing to receive medicines via this route, and they may depend on others when making decisions in relation to IM injections. Therefore, it is important for nurses to establish a rapport with patients with intellectual disabilities and gain their consent for the procedure. Nurses also require knowledge of the preparation and administration of IM injections to ensure positive health outcomes.This article aims to enhance intellectual disability nurses’ knowledge of this procedure, and to explain how they can mitigate the potential physical and psychological effects that IM injections may have for people with intellectual disabilities.

Background: The experience of the transition from a student nurse to a registered nurse isa challenging period for newly graduated registered nurses. Aim: To explore newly graduated registered nurses’ experiences of transition from student to registered nurse in clinical practice. Design:A qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews conducted with 12 Kuwaiti newly graduated registered nurses. Findings: The findings generated three themes: nursing support; education preparation; and psychological wellbeing. Discussion and conclusion: This study is the first in Kuwait aiming to understand Kuwaiti national newly graduated registered nurses’ transition experiences from student nurses to registered nurses in clinical practice. While the study revealed that newly graduated registered nurses received limited organisational support, the nursing policymakers in health care organisations and nursing education in Kuwait need to develop plans to improve newly graduated registered nurses’ knowledge, skills and confidence and align them with the roles and realities of actual nursing practice, to improve retention. There is a need to change the societal image of nursing in Kuwait by highlighting the importance of the nursing profession within the health care delivery. The study recommends further research on newly graduated registered nurses’ transition experiences into their new nursing roles to identify the factors behind their decision to stay or to leave, as this could offer possible solutions to address newly graduated registered nurses’ retention in the future.

As a result of societal changes and expectations, mothers have returned to paid employment, with fathers now more involved in the daily lives of their children with and without disabilities. Globally, fathers are providing more care for their children with intellectual disabilities (ID), a role traditionally expected of mothers. The research interest in the role of fathers in the lives of their child with ID is growing, yet much of the wider evidence has focused on the views and experiences of mothers as care givers. The aim of this systematic review was to identify the views and experiences of fathers parenting children with ID. A total of 14 studies were included in the review. Four themes were identified including emotional impact, mental health and coping, systems of support, and hopes and fears. There is a need for further research on the needs of fathers and how they can be supported to play a fuller role in the lives of their child with ID. Implications for policy, practice, and future research are also discussed.

Policies for people with disabilities, and specifically those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), have undergone significant changes during the past three decades. Many people with IDD experience social exclusion, which has significant implications for the individual, their family and wider society.Today the focus is on accessing universal services, care and support in the community to facilitate social inclusion. Professions and professionals in health, education and social services implement social inclusion policy in the field of IDD. However, there is a lack of coherence between the policy intentions of social inclusion and the realities of professional practice. Educational collaborations involving academics, students and practitioners from the professions working with people who have IDD provide an opportunity for shared learning. These collaborations support the development of knowledge and understanding, and the barriers that need to be addressed to achieve social inclusion for people with IDD.

Adults with intellectual disabilities experience shame contributing to the development and maintenance of psychological distress and mental health problems which clinicians need to screen for during assessment and provide treatment and support. This literature review developed the understanding of the shaming experiences from the perspective of adults with intellectual disabilities and sets out areas for further research, such as identifying the factors that contribute to shame and interventions and supports that may help.

Constipation is considered a preventable problem in health care, yet this condition has received little attention in terms of preventive interventions and management in people with intellectual disabilities. While constipation is acknowledged as an important general health issue for this population group, symptoms are frequently masked as the intellectual disability often takes precedence, resulting in diagnostic overshadowing. Underestimations of the condition may result in delays in recognition and treatment which are further compounded by an inability among people with an intellectual disability to express discomfort verbally. Long-term, untreated constipation can have serious and potentially life-threatening consequences if symptoms go unrecognized or are not treated promptly. Therefore, all registered nurses supporting people with intellectual disabilities must possess an in-depth knowledge of the condition to be able to prevent and manage this common condition.