REDES INTERNACIONALES DE ENFERMERÍA DE LAS AMÉRICAS: TRABAJO COLABORATIVO PARA EL LOGRO DE LA COBERTURA UNIVERSAL EN SALUD.

Abstract

This report aimed to identify work priorities and to elaborate recommendations for the work development of the International Nursing Networks in the Americas supported by PAHO/WHO to achieve Universal Health Coverage. Cross-sectional descriptive study. The population was composed by 27 networks and the final sample reached was of 22 networks. Data collection ocurred through semistructured survey using the Survey Monkey software, from august to december of 2013. It was obtained overview informations, objectives, activities, strategies, organization and management of the networks. The results show a concentration of the networks coordination in countries such as Chile, Colombia, Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil. 16 of the coordinators are university professors and 15 networks have some online resource currently running. The objectives set by the networks include: exchange, whether of knowledge, experience or information; and research, including the production, dissemination and use of knowledge. The strategies focus on the category of Exchange and networking promotion, Articulation between national and international institutions or associations and Promotion of network leadership. Regarding the activitites, 37.8% are related to the Exchange and promotion category and 29.2% to the Scientific and technical production category. The main recommendations for networking include: to address the deficit, distribution and capacity-building of human resources for nursing; to develop strategies for mainstreaming health care services nurses into the networks; to ensure participation of currently non-participating countries; to create websites and to maximize use of social media; outreach activities.