Brasil - Bloomberg Nursing Collaboration

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Brazil-Bloomberg Nursing Collaboration

Nursing Leadership and Capacity Building in the Context of Primary Health Care:
A Brazilian and Canadian Partnership

Brazil Group

Introduction: The Nursing Leadership and Capacity Building in the Context of Primary Health Care partnership brings together Brazilian and Canadian partners to address the professional and leadership development needs of primary health care (PHC) nurses working on family health teams and facilitate knowledge transition and exchange in nursing practice, research, and education.

Context: In 1994, Brazil introduced the Family Health Program (FHP) to address issues of health inequity by developing PHC infrastructure. FHP teams currently provide community-based health care to almost 50% of the population in Brazil, with the goal of reaching 80%. Each team consists of a registered nurse, a physician, nurse auxiliaries and community workers and each team can care for up to 1000 families.

Partnership: This first ever nursing collaboration in PHC between the University of Toronto and Brazilian Ministry of Health, health secretariats, and university partners in the Brazilian states of Acre and Mato Grosso do Sul will advance leadership and build capacity for the development of nursing professionals. This project will provide nurses with the opportunity to enhance their capacity and leadership in order to fully realize their role as core primary health care professionals. Leadership will be fostered by providing practice-relevant and research-based education and training to nurses who oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of PHC programs in the aforementioned States.

The work of FHP nurses' is initially directed towards social health needs. However, as the FHP evolved, nurses found they were encumbered by an accumulation of management duties, and had to focus more on the care of the individuals rather than the community.

The Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing (LSBFON) is the university partner for the first ever international PHC initiative dedicated to nursing development in Brazil. LSBFON is an internationally recognized leader in nursing education and research and has close partnerships with key stakeholders in Canada's health care system and international partners that greatly enhance its ability to build capacity in PHC nursing.

The project is guided by a commitment to teaching and learning that actively engages and empowers nurses, both as instructors or learners using culturally appropriate pedagogy. The Brazilian states participating have many successful experiences in PHC nursing to share among themselves and with the Canadian team. Brazilian tutors and students will educate Canadian partners on the successful strategies and challenges they have encountered working in the largest national PHC system in the world. Canadian partners will facilitate leadership development and advanced practice skills to help Brazilian tutors and students to fulfill their goals of universal access and excellence in nursing practice.

Funding: Department of Primary Care, Brazil Federal Ministry of Health through a Statement of Cooperation with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

Module Development:

5 modules summarized below developed based on results of needs assessment
Collaborative work between Brazilian and Canadian colleagues integral to module development
1-week modules to be taught between April and August 2010

Course Content:
1. Program planning and development in the primary health care context.

2. Collaborative leadership, advocacy and ethics in primary health care nursing

3. Community participation and community-based research in health

4. Evidence-based practice and clinical case studies in the context of primary health care

5. Consolidation and development of a community of practice

Outcomes of Partnership:

Student Feedback:
Students were highly receptive of the course and were able to enhance both personal and professional growth. Specifically, students were able to learn and apply theories into practice within a safe learning environment. Students also felt empowered through leadership development and collaborative nursing practice and had the opportunity to apply interprofessional and collaborative problem solving. The overall course evaluations consistently demonstrated the partnership as an excellent learning opportunity for all parties.

Brazil Delegation Visit to the LSBFON:
In October 2010, members of the Brazil-Bloomberg Nursing Collaboration visited the faculty of nursing to share the outcomes of the partnership. Visit the press release.

Student Presentation 1

Acre students presenting their project

Presentation1

Audience during student presentation

During their stay, the Brazilian delegates were introduced to the University of Toronto and given an orientation of the LSBFON program, a visit to the Simulation lab and information on the undergraduate and graduate programs of the faculty. Delegates also had the opportunity to tour community health care sites in Toronto, including Bridgepoint Health Centre and Regent Park Health Centre. Brazilian delegates also had the opportunity to dine with nurse practitioners in the Quality Improvement and Innovation Partnership (QIIP), who are leaders in family health teams in Ontario.

In addition, student representatives from Acre and Mato Grosso do Sul were given an opportunity to present their learning and case studies to the Brazilian and Canadian partners.

Student Group Photo 1

Student Representatives from Acre

Student Group Photo 2

Student Representatives from Mato Grosso do Sul

Student photos together

Group photo

Inauguration of "The Nursing Leadership and Capacity Building in the Context of Primary Health Care" Partnership

The Inauguration of the "The Nursing Leadership and Capacity Building in the context of Primary Health Care partnership" took place on April 19th, 2010 in Mato Grosso do Sul and on April 26th, 2010 in Acre.

Brazil-Bloomberg Nursing Collaboration Inauguration in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil