Transitions and tensions: the discipline of nursing in an interdisciplinary context
Introduction
The health systems of most developed countries face immense challenges associated with their capacity to meet the growing demands placed on them arising from the growing prevalence of lifestyle-associated non-communicable diseases and the health care needs of an ageing population (Frenk et al. 2010). Many countries subsidise the cost of public health care with borrowed money and the growing and, ultimately, unsustainable cost of health care is forcing many national governments to reform their health systems. In addition, mobile devices and systems for data capture and information management are transforming health systems at the provider-user interface. This confluence of growing demand, rising cost and 'e-health’ is providing a perfect storm to drive a transition from a hospital-centric model towards a model of integrated care, which aims to treat patients at the lowest level of complexity in a safe, efficient and cost effective way (Higgins 2013). The transition is challenging healthcare professionals to examine their competencies and practices and, ultimately, their very identity as distinct disciplines.
Reference:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jonm.12282/epdf
