Construction of nursing knowledge in commodified contexts: A discussion paper

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Systems
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• Contemporary healthcare is increasingly influenced by commodification and austerity measures.
• These factors negatively impact nursing practice, work conditions, and nurse-patient relationships.
• Understanding how nursing knowledge develops in these contexts is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the development of basic and contextual nursing knowledge within commodified healthcare environments.
• To critically analyze the effects of commodification on nursing practice and knowledge construction.
• To explore strategies for nurses to navigate and resist commodified healthcare systems.

Main Methods:

• A literature search was conducted, selecting relevant articles in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
• Articles published between 1978 and 2017 focusing on patterns of knowing, commodification, and nursing were included.
• The study employed a discussion and reflexive dialogue approach, integrating literature findings with clinical experience.

Main Results:

• Globalization, commodification, and austerity negatively affect nursing by worsening work conditions and limiting reflection.
• Commodified environments hinder the development of nursing knowledge, compromising therapeutic relationships and healthcare services.
• Nurses' own health and the quality of care are at risk in these settings.

Conclusions:

• Nurses need to develop organizational, sociopolitical, and emancipatory knowledge to address commodified contexts.
• Strategies for adaptation and resistance are necessary for nurses to construct basic knowledge.
• Challenging institutional organization and public health policies is vital for the future of nursing.