Influence of Nursing in Health Economics: An Integrative Review of Literature

Abstract

In times of great socio-sanitary conjunctures, such as these, to identify the influence of nursing in the complex dynamics of the health economy and health management becomes vital. Objective: To determine the implications of nursing on health economics as seen in the literature. Methodology: To integrative a review of the literature, in OVID, Pubmed, Clinikal Key, Scielo databases, published in the 2000-2018 period in English, Portuguese, and Spanish languages, following the recommendations of the SALSA review method and adjusted to modified PRISMA requirements. Of a total of 26 retrieved articles, 18 were eligible for review, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data were summarized using a narrative-qualitative-descriptive synthesis. Results: 44% of the publications were made between 2005 and 2009; 78% were made in the United States; 56% were obtained from PUBMED; and 44% are of quantitative design. The categorical analysis shows a clear tendency to reveal the economic cost related to the impact of the nursing professional’s work in various areas, rather than considerations of quality of care or effectiveness of the work. Conclusion: Links were observed between nursing actions and health economics in three main aspects: Quality of care, costs, and effectiveness.