The contribution of Portuguese nursing to universal health access and coverage

• Published in: Revista latino-americana de enfermagem Vol. 24; p. e2671
• Main Authors: Fernandes, Ananda Maria, Mendes, Aida Maria de Oliveira Cruz, Leitão, Maria Neto da Cruz, Gomes, Sérgio David Lourenço, Amaral, António Fernando Salgueiro, Bento, Maria da Conceição Saraiva da Silva Costa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Universidade de São Paulo-USP, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto - USP 01-01-2016; Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto / Universidade de São Paulo; Universidade de São Paulo
• Subjects: Aceso a los Servicios de Salud; Delivery of Health Care; Enfermería; Equidade en Salud; Health services; Health Services Accessibility; Humans; International organizations; National health insurance; Nurse's Role; Nurses; NURSING; Original; Portugal; Primary Health Care; Sistemas de Salud; Universal Health Insurance; Portugal; Health Systems; Acesso aos Serviços de Saúde; Nursing; Equity in Health; Equidade em Saúde; Enfermagem; Sistemas de Salud; Health Services Acessibility; Sistemas de Saúde; Enfermería; Equidade en Salud; Aceso a los Servicios de Salud
• ISSN: 0104-1169; 1518-8345; 1518-8345; 0104-1169
• DOI: 10.1590/1518-8345.1068.2671

to analyze the contribution of Portuguese nursing to improving universal health access and coverage by means of the identification of nurses in the health system; evolution of health indicators; and access-promoting systems, in which nurses play a relevant role.
this was documentary research of publications from national and international organizations on planning and health outcomes. Statistical databases and legislation on health reforms were consulted.
nurses represent 30.18% of human resources in the national health service; the systems of access promotion performed by nurses have good levels of efficacy (95.5%) and user satisfaction (99% completely satisfied); in the local care the creation of Community Care Units (185) occurred, and 85.80% of home consultations were performed by nurses.
political strategies, the National Health Service and strengthening of human resources in healthcare are the main determinants. Nursing is the most numerous professional group in the National Health Service, however numbers remain deficient in primary health care. The improvement of academic qualification and self-regulation of this professional group has allowed for better answers in improving health for the Portuguese.