Health Service Delivery Outcomes From Nursing in Genomics: A Scoping Review of the Literature (2012-2025).
AIM: This study aimed to summarize the current state of the science for "health service delivery-oriented outcomes" from nursing in genomics (2012-2025). BACKGROUND: Nurses can play a vital role in increasing access to genomic healthcare and improving outcomes for patients, families, and communities. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review of the literature in four databases (2012-2025). Articles were categorized using the Cochrane Collaboration outcome domains and sub-domains to identify salient topics and synthesize findings. RESULTS: Of 11,646 retrieved articles, 66 publications reporting "health service delivery-oriented outcomes" were included for analysis. Identified articles spanned three sub-domains: "service delivery level," "related to research," and "societal or governmental." Within sub-domains, articles were further categorized into dimensions, the most prominent being "service utilization" under the "service delivery level" sub-domain. Studies were primarily from anglophone countries and near-evenly split into interventional and noninterventional studies. Studies reported that nurses working in multidisciplinary and/or interprofessional teams are a cost-effective means to increase access to genomic healthcare and reduce burden on genetic specialists. Nurses are incorporating genomics in various settings, including oncology, pharmacogenomics, genetic counseling, rare genetic diseases, and symptom science. CONCLUSION: Despite evidence of nurses contributing to health system delivery-oriented outcomes, evidence suggests that nurses are underutilized and underprepared in genomic healthcare. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: A significant barrier to integrating genomics into nursing practice is a lack of foundational knowledge and genomic competency across nursing education, clinical practice, and nursing policymakers. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY: Nursing leadership spanning education, research, practice, and policy domains will be critical for integrating genomics in nursing practice and improving health system delivery-oriented outcomes.