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Addressing a Gap in Healthcare Access for Transition-Age Youth with Autism: A Pilot Educational Intervention for Family Nurse Practitioner Students

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Abstract

A mixed-methods randomized controlled trial pilot study evaluated an educational curriculum focused on the medical needs of transition-age youth (TAY) with autism (ASD) for family nurse practitioner students. Fourteen out of a cohort of 16 (87.5%) nursing students consented to participate in the study and were randomly assigned to either a waitlist control group (WLC) (n = 8) or an intervention group (INT) (n = 6). Three measures were used to determine pre- and post-intervention levels of self-efficacy, knowledge, and attitudes. Quantitative and qualitative data provide preliminary support that participation in intervention may improve and enhance knowledge and level of self-efficacy in working with TAY with ASD.

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Elaine Gabovitch MPA, Katherine Murray BSN, and Thomas Maloney MSN whose contributions made this study possible. This study would not have been possible without the support from the Arc of MA Operation House Call program.

Funding

This work was supported by WITH Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Simmons University School of Nursing, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Dorothea Iannuzzi & Patricia Rissmiller

  2. Simmons University College of Natural and Behavioral Health Sciences, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Susan M. Duty

  3. University of Massachusetts Medical School Graduate School of Nursing, 55 Lake Avenue, North Worcester, MA, 01655, USA

    Susan Feeney

  4. The Arc of Massachusetts, 217 South Street, Waltham, MA, 02453, USA

    Maura Sullivan

  5. Departments of Family Medicine & Community Health and Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA

    Carol Curtin

Authors
  1. Dorothea Iannuzzi
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  2. Patricia Rissmiller
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  3. Susan M. Duty
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  4. Susan Feeney
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  5. Maura Sullivan
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  6. Carol Curtin
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Contributions

DI conceived of the study, participated in study design development, implemented the intervention, and oversaw data collection. She also participated in data analysis and interpretation activities and took the lead in drafting and revising the manuscript. PR and SD assisted with the study design, data analysis and interpretation, and manuscript preparation and revision. SF assisted with participant recruitment, implementing the educational intervention, and manuscript preparation. MS assisted with implementing the educational intervention and manuscript preparation. CC developed the study design, participated in data analysis and interpretation activities, and assisted with drafting and revising the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Iannuzzi, D., Rissmiller, P., Duty, S.M. et al. Addressing a Gap in Healthcare Access for Transition-Age Youth with Autism: A Pilot Educational Intervention for Family Nurse Practitioner Students. J Autism Dev Disord 49, 1493–1504 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-018-3846-9

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