title: International rural health needs and services research: a nursing and midwifery response.
abstract: As the importance of evidence-based practice in global health care increases, the need for constant, accurate feedback from those in practice is critical, yet the requirement to rapidly obtain and disseminate data on a global basis is a challenge for all health professionals. The Internet allows for global participation in data collection that dramatically streamlines the traditional survey process. This new paradigm applies to surveys that are short, issue focused, and time sensitive. The Global Network of World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centres for Nursing and Midwifery Development used a sample of international nurses in 70 countries to identify the worldwide rural health issues of WHO priority health needs, treatment modalities, health care interventions, and providers, as well as the current state of rural health research on a global level. This article presents the results of the survey regarding rural health needs and nursing and midwifery's response to them internationally, demonstrates Internet data collection, and shows how this research paradigm can help establish an evidence base for nursing practice.
authors.affiliation: Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Nursing and Midwifery Development, College of Nursing and Health Science, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA. rcarty@gmu.edu
authors.forename: Rita M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Carty
authors.forename: Wael
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Al-Zayyer
authors.forename: Lesley L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Arietti
authors.forename: Angela S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Lester
mesh_terms: D004506:Education, Nursing; D014943:Global Health; D006292:Health Priorities; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D020407:Internet; D009739:Nursing Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*