Competency mapping of primary healthcare nurses on the Brazil-Paraguay border

• Published in: Revista Gaúcha de Enfermagem 2024, Vol.45
• Main Authors: Souza, Eduardo Neves da Cruz de, Fabriz, Luciana Aparecida, Peres, Aida Maris, Almeida, Maria de Lourdes de
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; por
• Subjects: Border health; Culturally competent care; Nursing; Primary health care; Professional competence
• ISSN: 0102-6933; 1983-1447
• DOI: 10.1590/1983-1447.2024.20230098.en

ABSTRACT Objective: To map the competencies of Primary Health Care nurses in border regions of Brazil and Paraguay. Method: Exploratory qualitative studyconducted between February and July 2020, with 64 nurses from six Brazilian municipalities bordering Paraguay. It was conducted in three stages: 1. Documentary study: analysis of legal documents to identify the nurse’s competencies. 2. Application of instrument to the study population .3. Mapping of competencies, through the competencies expressed by nurses analyzed using the collective subject discourse technique. Results: Twenty-eight general competencies were identified, categorized as assistance and management, and five specific competencies required to work in border regions: conducting a situational diagnosis of the border community; attending to foreign users with active and humanized listening; communicating appropriately with foreign users; identifying the epidemiological profile of the border; and, understanding the health policies of the neighboring country. The competencies required for the work from the participants' perspective were included in the mapping. The competence gap identified in the mapping refers to educational practices in communities. Final considerations: The study identified the necessary competencies for nurses to work in border regions, but pointed out gaps in the training and continuing education of these professionals. RESUMEN Objetivo: Mapear las competencias de enfermeros de Atención Primaria de Salud en regiones fronterizas de Brasil y Paraguay. Método: investigación exploratoria descriptiva con enfoque cualitativo realizada entre febrero y julio de 2020, con 64 enfermeros de seis municipios brasileños fronterizos con Paraguay. Se realizó en tres etapas: 1. Estudio documental: análisis de documentos legales para identificar las competencias del enfermero. 2. Aplicación del instrumento a la población de estudio .3. Mapeo de competencias, a través de las competencias expresadas por enfermeros analizadas mediante la técnica del discurso del sujeto colectivo. Resultados: Se identificaron 28 competencias generales categorizadas en asistencia y gestión, y cinco competencias específicas requeridas para trabajar en regiones fronterizas: realizar un diagnóstico situacional de la comunidad fronteriza; atender a los usuarios extranjeros con una escucha activa y humanizada; comunicarse adecuadamente con el usuario extranjero; entender el perfil epidemiológico de la frontera; y, con