dc.description.abstract
Demographic trends, population projections and emerging health
problems have a direct impact on health systems. These changes happen immersed in
a socioeconomic environment and a constant concern for sustainability and solvency of
the health and social systems.
In this context, health promotion, preventive interventions and care for people with or at
risk of chronic health problems gain relevance in public health policies. This suggests
that nurses will have to assume an increasingly important role in the formulation of
public policies, with particular emphasis on regulation, financing, provision and
professional development.
Governments must be aware of the contribution of nurses. Also, nurses have no choice
but to position themselves. They have the ethical obligation to be involved in the
highest level of decision making in order to improve population’s health, reduce health
inequalities and participate in the governance of the system.
Decision making and active participation in the design, formulation, implementation and
evaluation of public policies necessarily implies understanding the context in which
these decisions are taken, identifying stakeholders, their functions and the instruments
they hold for the transformation of the health system.
In order to integrate their current role in public policies, nurses must: 1) consider
changes in health and social care policies based on the model, the system and the
available evidence; 2) know demand, provision and public policies; 3) master
regulation, evaluation and payment systems; 4) propose sustainable and efficient
interventions, being aware of the opportunity cost; and, 5) enhance the contribution of
nursing research through innovative solutions.
