Introducing Nurses to Systems Level Public Health Issues in a Global Setting

Many undergraduate nursing programs arrange global experiences with programs established by mission groups working in-country with host country nationals.  Typically, the focus is providing care to communities with limited access to health services but many programs do not allow examination of the different delivery levels of care. Students do not gain an understanding of the core issues of the health system.

description

For the online course, the university collaborated with a not-for-profit organization specializing in service-education programs in Paraguay.  Faculty accompanying students were Returned Peace Corps Volunteers with extensive knowledge of Paraguay and are bilingual. During the trip, Paraguayan Ministry of Health medical and nursing personnel provided students and faculty with an overview of the Paraguayan Health care system’s strengths, limitations and challenges. Students prepared health promotion and screening projects then collaborated with local physicians and nurses to carry out the programs in rural health centers.

lessons learned

Ministry personnel explained the health care system and thanked students for their service. Faculty prepared students to work as partners by planning and implementing projects with host-country nationals' input. Donated health education materials were helpful for continued health promotion.

implications

Observation of an international health system with interaction at the governmental level increases understanding of delivery of services, limitations in funding, goal setting and other influences that impact health in a country. These observations increase understanding of influences on the determinants of health as well as systems level delivery of services.