Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Coverage: identification of nursing research priorities in Latin America.
OBJECTIVE
To estabilish a regional list for nursing research priorities in health systems and services in the Region of the Americas based on the concepts of Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Coverage.


METHODS
Five-stage consensus process: systematic review of literature; appraisal of resulting questions and topics; ranking of the items by graduate program coordinators; discussion and ranking amongst a forum of researchers and public health leaders; and consultation with the Ministries of Health of the Pan American Health Organization's member states.


RESULTS
The resulting list of nursing research priorities consists of 276 study questions/ topics, which are sorted into 14 subcategories distributed into six major categories: 1. Policies and education of nursing human resources; 2. Structure, organization and dynamics of health systems and services; 3. Science, technology, innovation, and information systems in public health; 4. Financing of health systems and services; 5. Health policies, governance, and social control; and 6. Social studies in the health field.


CONCLUSIONS
The list of nursing research priorities is expected to serve as guidance and support for nursing research on health systems and services across Latin America. Not only researchers, but also Ministries of Health, leaders in public health, and research funding agencies are encouraged to use the results of this list to help inform research-funding decisions.
Health Systems and Services Department, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC, USA.
Silvia Helena De Bortoli
SH
Cassiani
Health Systems and Services Department, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC, USA.
Alessandra
A
Bassalobre-Garcia
Bioethics and Research Department, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC, USA.
Ludovic
L
Reveiz
D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006291:Health Policy; D006292:Health Priorities; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America; D015399:Nursing Research; D011634:Public Health