- Autores: Alves Coelho A, Arcêncio RA, Barros de Souza M, da Costa Uchoa SA, de Castro Marcolino E, Fronteira I, Santos Martiniano C
- Ano de Publicação: 2016
- Journal: Nurse Education Today
- Link: http://www.nurseeducationtoday.com/article/S0260-6917(15)00287-7/fulltext%20
BACKGROUND:
In many countries, the inclusion of nurses as prescribers is considered to be an advanced practice. In Brazil, such prescriptions are legally regulated and restricted to primary health care protocols. The presence of prescribing nurses has provoked a debate among medical and nursing corporations. However, there are few studies examining the qualifications, protocols and in-service training that are aimed at prescribing nurses in primary health care.
OBJECTIVE:
We sought to investigate possible gaps between the education, qualifications, self-assessments and practice of prescribing medicine in primary health care from the perspective of nurses.
METHODS:
The study was conducted between August and November 2011 with four focus groups, a script validated by the Delphi technique, and a pilot study. This study addressed the qualifications for the prescription of medication, the sufficiency of the Ministry of Health protocols and self-assessments of the ability to prescribe. Qualitative analysis was applied.
RESULTS:
All nurses reported having received insufficient training in the discipline of pharmacology to qualify them for prescriptive practice. The nurses emphasised the need for post-graduate training, the importance of clinical experience, and the lack of discussions and training. Only a small number of nurses self-assessed themselves as competent in prescribing drugs, and the others revealed fears of causing adverse reactions to medication.
CONCLUSIONS:
There are gaps in the education, training, and daily demands of the prescription of medication by nurses in primary health care. It is suggested that prescription practices should be incorporated into undergraduate studies and continuing education in health services.