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Introduction: Article Critique
The current shortage of nurses and healthcare practitioners is a major health concern affecting the whole world. The problem is making it hard for medical institutions to provide evidence-based and timely care to their clients. The health issue is strongly associated with poor patient outcomes, medication errors, and increased cases of re-hospitalization. Fortunately, the authors of the article National nursing strategies in seven countries of the Region of the Americas: Issues and impact believe strongly that more countries are on the frontline to deal with the current shortage of nurses.
The research problem outlined by the researchers was the need to understand the similarities, differences, and improvements that can be considered in an attempt to deal with the issue of workforce shortage (Shasanmi, Kim, & Cassiani, 2015). The research question used by the authors was: What are the current nursing strategies and policy impact of health human resources in Canada, Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Costa Rica, the United States, and Jamaica? The main point presented in the article is that nursing shortage remains a major health concern that is currently being addressed using a wide range of initiatives that can transform the situation.
The objective outlined in the article was to examine the national nursing strategies and policy implication of workforce development regarding human resources for health in the outlined seven countries in the Americas (Shasanmi et al., 2015). After conducting the research, the scholars observed that there was some improvement in human resources for health and nursing in the countries.
Some of the strategies embraced in the Americas were multisectoral collaborations, use of standardized educational strategies, and promotion of leadership in nursing. In order to arrive at the intended conclusion, the researchers reviewed a wide range documents and publications focusing on the targeted countries (Shasanmi et al., 2015). The analysis made it easier for the scholars to present adequate recommendations that can be used to deal with this health issue.
Evaluating the Research Methods
The authors of the above article have not provided a literature review. However, the article begins with a succinct introduction that gives a detailed analysis of the health issue under consideration (Shasanmi et al., 2015). After reviewing the relevant documents from the targeted countries, the researchers managed to offer a critical analysis of the human resources and workforce implications in the healthcare sector. This approach made it easier for the scholars to address the health issue from the right perspective.
The research presented in the article is relevant and current. The global health sector is currently grappling with a wide range of obstacles such as unmet medical needs, lack of adequate resources, medication errors, prolonged stay in hospitals, and poor patient outcomes. These challenges are closely associated with the issue of health workforce. The authors focused on the issue and gave it the relevant attention (Shasanmi et al., 2015). The research is therefore current and goes further to present adequate strategies that can be implemented to deal with the health concern.
A powerful research approach was utilized by the scholars in order to present evidence-based information to the readers. The authors used a systematic review of literature from the seven nations. The studies and publications targeted during the review were included using an appropriate criteria. For instance, the articles were published between 2008 and 2013, presented appropriate content regarding the issue of nursing workforce development, and offered appropriate information about the measures used to address the issue (Shasanmi et al., 2015). After analyzing the available literature from the targeted countries, the researchers conducted a content synthesis in order to come up with evidence-based information.
The use of a systematic literature review explains why it was impossible for the authors to use a sample for the study. However, the targeted articles and publications from credible sources made it easier for the scholars to collect the required information and data. The use of such an approach was appropriate for the research. The researchers managed to complete a quality and non-biased study (Shasanmi et al., 2015). The approach presented timely and evidence-based ideas regarding the health issues affecting many societies.
The results presented in the article are practical, appropriate, and applicable in a wide range of settings. After conducting the study, the authors observed that many obstacles were affecting the ultimate goal of providing adequate care to more patients in the Americas. Although every country was observed to struggle with a number of problems such as nurse shortage, population growth, and lack of resources, the article indicated that various strategies can be considered in order to deal with the current problem (Shasanmi et al., 2015).
The recommendations offered in the article can therefore be applied in different settings to ensure the health problem is addressed in a professional manner. The recommended practices include workforce development, nurse empowerment, and improving the nature or quality of healthcare education (Shasanmi et al., 2015). In the developing world, the article indicates clearly that nurses can become advocates by undertaking the right initiatives and promoting the quality of care available to the greatest number of clients. When such research results are applied in different countries, more people will acquire timely and quality health services and eventually address the issue.
The study completed by the authors is evidence-based, relevant, and applicable in different communities. The authors were able to consider the unique challenges and developments regarding the issue of health workforce development (MacLean et al., 2014). This is a clear indication that the study was appropriate and reliable. However, I strongly believe that the authors could have improved the study by studying the situations experienced in more countries across the globe (Shasanmi et al., 2015). By so doing, the researchers would have come up with appropriate strategies that can be applied across the globe to deal with the current issue of workforce shortage in healthcare.
The writing or content in the article is straightforward. The article goes straight to the issue of nursing shortage and identifies the major initiatives undertaken in the Americas to improve the sector (McDonald & Ward-Smith, 2012). The authors identify the gaps, developments, and emerging issues affecting the quality of care available to the targeted patients. The authors have gone further to offer appropriate strategies that can help more nations improve their health workforces (MacLean et al., 2014). When nurses are equipped with the right skills and resources, it will be easier for them to become advocates of care and eventually transform the global healthcare sector.
It is agreeable that further research can be conducted on this subject. The authors can go a step further to conduct a study focusing on specific functions that can be considered in order to deal with the problem of nursing shortage (MacLean et al., 2014). For instance, the scholars can focus on the role of education and legislation towards dealing with the problem of nursing shortage in the Americas. The same analysis can be considered in different continents because the problem of nursing shortage cuts across the globe (Shasanmi et al., 2015). By so doing, the analysis can present adequate initiatives and processes that can ensure more nurses are encouraged to join the profession.
Conclusion
The systematic review of literature presented in the article exposes the strategies and obstacles associated with the ultimate goal of providing effective care in the targeted region. The regulation standards, political structures, and changing population needs reshape the nature of nursing workforce development. Although there are numerous health issues affecting the world, the problem of nursing shortage remains one of the leading barriers to adequate care delivery. The affected societies can come up with adequate policies to empower and equip nurses with the right competencies in order to meet the changing needs of the growing global population.
Future studies focusing on new policies to change the situation can play a positive role towards addressing this health issue. A new study targeting more nations will present evidence-based ideas and solutions that can be used to deal with the issue. When more nurses are attracted to the profession, it will be feasible to address the health issues affecting many citizens across the world. In conclusion, Shasanmi et al. (2015) believe strongly that every country facing the problem of health workforce shortage will require multisectoral collaboration, educational resources, empowerment strategies, and proper leadership in order to ensure nurses are encouraged to become advocates of quality care.
References
MacLean, L., Hassmiller, S., Shaffer, F., Rohrbaugh, K., Collier, T., & Fairman, J. (2014). Scale, causes, and implications of the primary care nursing shortage. Annu. Rev. Public Health, 35(1), 443-457. Web.
McDonald, A., & Ward-Smith, P. (2012). A review of evidence-based strategies to retain graduate nurses in the profession. Journal for Nurses in Staff Development, 28(1), 16-20.
Shasanmi, R., Kim, E., & Cassiani, S. (2015). National nursing strategies in seven countries of the Region of the Americas: Issues and impact. Rev Panam Salud Publica, 38(1), 64-72.
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