4^th World Nursing Education & Medicare Summit

Biography

Biography: Heather R. Raley

Abstract

The aim of this review is to assess current quantitative and qualitative research concerning provider knowledge and communication of the 2009 IOM guidelines, as well as the use of patient educational and lifestyle interventions to support optimal gestational weight gain (GWG) management. Quantitative and qualitative studies published between January 2005 and September 2017 were searched from the electronic databases of MEDLINE (EBSCO), CINAHL, TRIP, PubMed, and the National Guideline Clearinghouse. An extensive collection of search keywords and a detailed search strategy were utilized. The phenomena of interest were then identified, categorized, and synthesized from the included studies and clinical practice guidelines. From a combined total of 454 of potentially relevant published articles, 52 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. Ultimately, 14 studies, one expert opinion, and one clinical practice guideline met the inclusion criteria. Twelve quantitative and two qualitative studies were included in the review. Findings included an identified need for practice change to increase education delivered by clinicians regarding gestational weight gain (GWG) to promote appropriate management in prenatal patients. Prenatal healthcare clinicians are recommended to provide accurate, timely, and complete patient education regarding physical activity options and nutritional advice in an effort to achieve optimal GWG according to the 2009 IOM guidelines among patients in the prenatal setting. Healthcare clinicians should focus on traditional approaches such as clinician counseling to address emotional, cognitive, and situational barriers in prenatal women who are not meeting acceptable GWG increments or trimester-specific cutoffs. The use of evidence-based tools guided by the IOM recommendations can assist clinicians in the assessment of pregnant women and streamline counseling provided to optimize healthy GWG.