Alignment and Contribution of Nursing Doctoral Programs to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

Background: Different social segments from several regions of the world face challenges in order to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Nursing represents the greatest number of health workforce in the globe, dealing with these challenges in different paths, among them the training of human resources. In this context, the goal of this study was to compare the relationship between the objectives and research areas underlying nursing doctoral programs in Latin America and the SDGs.Method: Documental research comparing data of all Latin American nursing doctoral programs and the SDGs, conducted between January and March 2020.Results: From the total of 56 existing programs in Latin America, this study analyzed 52 of them, representing 92.8% of the total. Most nursing doctoral programs have contributed to SDG 3, in addition to goals 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12 and 16. The SDGs 11, 13, 14, 15 and 17 were not related to any of the analyzed programs. Data reveal that the training of nursing PhDs is essential to fulfilling these goals. Results also indicate a need of programs to remain committed to relationships that enhance nursing skills to cope with the current challenges in terms of global health, such as investments for the reduction of social and gender inequities. Conclusion:The doctoral training of nurses in Latin America needs to be better aligned with the sustainable development goals (SDGs), since there is a high concentration in SDG 3. We believe that nursing will bring a greater contribution to the movement to protect planetary health as the principles governing nursing practices are better aligned with international health demands and agendas.

Nursing research in Latin America: priorities and possible solutions to move it forward

“…In Latin America, nursing research has advanced more slowly, evidenced by the historical lag in the opening of the first doctoral programs in the 1980s in Brazil (4) . However, much effort has been invested over the last decades to train more nurse researchers (5,14) and develop nursing research in Latin America (14) , which has enabled significant progress in adapting to the needs of disciplinary knowledge, current scientific and technological developments, market requirements, and institutional demands (15) . However, the needs in nursing research remain great in Latin America (16) , and research based on its historical, social, and cultural context and on population needs must be carried out to reduce the gap between theory and practice and to promote knowledge transfer to nursing practice (17) .…”

“…More nursing research related to nursing interventions and innovations is needed in Latin America to improve universal access to health care (5,16,21,23) and universal health coverage (16) . Specifically, research on community nursing, primary health care, epidemiological surveillance strategies (21) , public health nursing (6) , and advanced nursing practice (23) are relevant for improving universal access to health care in the region.…”

“…There is also a need for nurse researchers to evaluate the adaptation and development of culturally appropriate interventions (7) . In addition, more nursing research on public policy needs to be conducted to influence the decision-making of policymakers (5,6,16) in favor of greater universal health coverage. Finally, there is also a need for more research on interprofessional collaboration and practice and their impact on individual, family, and community health (25) as well as on nursing human resource planning, particularly related to the recruitment, hiring, retention, migration, and distribution of nurses (6,25) , in order to meet the needs of vulnerable populations and those in areas with scarce health care resources (25) .…”

“…It is also important in both academic and clinical settings to cultivate academic reflection, foster links between research and practice, and encourage nurses to contribute to the development, implementation, and evaluation of health care innovations (5,24,25) . To support the optimal development of nursing research in Latin America, it will also be necessary to protect time for nurses involved in nursing education to develop and conduct research projects and for nurses in clinical practice to also collaborate on research projects (26) .…”

“…By developing knowledge regarding individual interventions, community action, and health care analysis, and by developing and evaluating health care interventions and policies, nursing research has tremendous potential to advance the global health agenda and help nurses in their efforts to improve the health of communities (3) . Despite some delays in comparison with other regions around the globe (4) , nursing research in Latin America has the potential to address several global health challenges in the region (5) , such as advancing universal access to health care and universal health coverage (6) as well as fostering the development of culturally appropriate interventions for groups in vulnerable situations (7) . As the result of a reflection on nursing research in Latin America, this article aims to identify some of the research priorities in the region and possible solutions.…”