Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Coverage: identification of nursing research priorities in Latin America

Silvia Helena De Bortoli Cassiani,Ludovic Reveiz,Alessandra Bassalobre-Garcia

doi:10.1590/0104-1169.1075.2667

Abstract

Objective:To estabilish a regional list for nursing research priorities in health systems and services in the Region of the Americas based on the concepts of Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Coverage. Method: five-stage consensus process: systematic review of literature; appraisal of resulting questions and topics; ranking of the items by graduate program coordinators; discussion and ranking amongst a forum of researchers and public health leaders; and consultation with the Ministries of Health of the Pan American Health Organization's member states. Results: the resulting list of nursing research priorities consists of 276 study questions/ topics, which are sorted into 14 subcategories distributed into six major categories: 1. Policies and education of nursing human resources; 2. Structure, organization and dynamics of health systems and services; 3. Science, technology, innovation, and information systems in public health; 4. Financing of health systems and services; 5. Health policies, governance, and social control; and 6. Social studies in the health field. Conclusion: the list of nursing research priorities is expected to serve as guidance and support for nursing research on health systems and services across Latin America. Not only researchers, but also Ministries of Health, leaders in public health, and research funding agencies are encouraged to use the results of this list to help inform research-funding decisions.

Highlights

In October 2014, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and its Member States adopted the Resolution CD53/5, Rev. 2 – Strategy for Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Coverage (Universal Health), which first defines this as the absence of sociocultural, organizational, economic, geographical, and genderrelated barriers to healthcare, and second, as the capacity of health systems to meet the needs of populations at any level of care, providing infrastructure, adequate human resource capacity, and health technologies without causing financial harm[1]
In stage 3, of the 81 emails sent to the Schools of Nursing, 31 were answered providing contact information for a total of 92 contacts of nursing graduate and research program coordinators, representing 12 Latin American countries
The 2013 World Health Report “Research for universal health coverage”, proposed that research for universal health coverage be tailored to the broader context of development research

Summary

Introduction

In October 2014, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and its Member States adopted the Resolution CD53/5, Rev. 2 – Strategy for Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Coverage (Universal Health), which first defines this as the absence of sociocultural, organizational, economic, geographical, and genderrelated barriers to healthcare, and second, as the capacity of health systems to meet the needs of populations at any level of care, providing infrastructure, adequate human resource capacity, and health technologies without causing financial harm[1] These two concepts of Universal Health hold paramount importance for the improvement of health outcomes and to reach other significant health system objectives. Their education should qualify them to produce and apply scientific evidence within their practice, while fostering critical and reflexive thinking in order to deliver a better quality and community-centered care[4,5]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion