PHP137 - CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF NURSING WORKFORCE IN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES BETWEEN 2000-2015

Abstract

The aim of our study was to analyse the changes in the number of practising nurses working in OECD countries in Europe. Data analysed were derived from the OECD Health Data database. European countries were categorised according to type of health care system: Bismarckian-like solidarity based health insurance system or Beveridge-like national health system. Years between 2000 and 2015 were analysed. In 2000, the average number of nurses was 7.6/1,000 population in countries based on a Bismarckian, and 7.6/1,000 population in countries based on a Beveridge healthcare system. The difference was not significant (p= 0.975). In 2015, the average number of nurses was 9.7/1,000 population in countries based on a Bismarckian and 7.3/1,000 population in countries based on a Beveridge system. The difference was not significant (p= 0.280). Between 2000 and 2015, the average number of practising nurses per 1,000 population increased from 7.6 to 9.7 (+28 %) in countries with a Bismarckiansystem, while countries having a Beveridge health care system experienced a decrease from 7.6 to 7.3 (-3 %). During the same period, the average number of practising nurses per 1,000 population in all OECD countries increased from 7.4 to 8.8 (+19 %). The highest increase in the number of nurses per 1,000 population in countries using the Bismarckian model, was found in Switzerland (+72 %), and Luxembourg (+61 %), regarding countries built upon the Beveridge model the highest increase was found in Spain (+49 %) and the Greece (+17 %). During the period between 2000 and 2015, countries having the Bismarckian system showed an increase in the number of practising nurses, while, countries employing the Beveridge healthcare system witnessed a decrease. The difference was not significant.