Facilitating Evidence-Based Nursing and Humane Healthcare Through Professional Development

This chapter begins with the healthcare-related community assessment in 2016 that led to the convenio between UNC, USFQ and the Ministry of Public Health. Health concerns documented in prior studies and the community assessment were the basis of the charge to the SON to provide education and training for nurses and other healthcare professionals at Hospital Oskar Jandl. A review of the literature on published health education programs from high- to lower-resource countries although limited is informative for current and future efforts. The approach to providing this professional development over the last 3 years will be described including topics, attendance, and formal and informal evaluation as well as anecdotal evidence of ongoing practice change to improve health. Current needs and observations including culture of the hospital and local community as it impacts trust and use of health services will be discussed. In particular efforts to engage all healthcare staff at the hospital in learning about humane care principles (moral responsibility and respect for autonomy) as a way to increase engagement and satisfaction from patients and family members with care provided by the hospital will be considered. Conclusions and possible ideas to increase impact and sustain this partnership into the future will be reviewed.