The intellectual capital supporting nurse practice in a post-emergency state: A case study

Area of Science:

• Healthcare systems research
• Nursing intellectual capital
• Post-emergency health services

Background:

• Liberia's healthcare system faces challenges in meeting essential health service targets post-emergency.
• Nurse practice is crucial for achieving national health goals.
• Understanding resource support for nurses is vital for system strengthening.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the resources supporting nurse practice in Liberia.
• To apply the nursing intellectual capital framework.
• To align nurse support with the Essential Package of Health Services.

Main Methods:

• A case study design was employed in Liberia.
• Data collection involved direct observation, semi-structured interviews, and photographs.
• Content analysis and data triangulation were used to analyze findings.

Main Results:

• Inpatient and outpatient nurse practice are supported by different resources.
• Inpatient nurses rely more on facility-based resources, while outpatient nurses utilize external protocols and trainings.
• Disparities exist in resource availability, often favoring private facilities.

Conclusions:

• Outpatient nurses are well-supported for primary and secondary care services.
• Developing analogous support systems for inpatient nurses is recommended for tertiary care.
• Strengthening nurse support networks can enhance overall health system performance.