Measuring progress in nursing and midwifery globally.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss issues and challenges encountered in the preliminary steps of identifying a core set of global indicators for measuring progress in nursing and midwifery development.


METHODS
Lack of a global and systematic approach for collecting evidence has undermined the ability to reliably measure progress.


METHODS
Description of general principles, scientific criteria, and strategic directions.


CONCLUSIONS
WHO's organizational support and global conditions are forces that indicated appropriate timing for these strategic directions. Concerted efforts are needed in all countries to implement these directions to advance nursing and midwifery services.
al-Gasseer
Naeema
N
World Health Organization, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland. algasseern@who.int
Persaud
Vena
V
D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005544:Forecasting; D014943:Global Health; D006285:Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D009729:Nursing / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000379:methods*; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care / Q000592:standards; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D014944:World Health Organization