Fostering International Collaborations to Inform Nursing and Midwifery Policy: A Caribbean Initiative

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• International Health
• Nursing Workforce Development

Background:

• Caribbean nursing and midwifery face challenges like high migration and workforce shortages.
• Limited regional data collection hinders effective workforce development strategies.
• Seven Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Collaborating Centers (CCs) were tasked with supporting human resources for health (HRH) goals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a collaboration to streamline data collection for nursing and midwifery workforce development in the Caribbean.
• To contribute to PAHO/WHO strategic goals for nursing and midwifery workforce development.
• To reduce respondent burden while collecting comprehensive region-wide data.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Donabedian's structure-process-outcome model to describe the initiative.
• Established the Pan American Collaborating Centers for Nursing and Midwifery (PANMCC) network.
• Emphasized regular communication, stakeholder engagement, and a collaborative survey approach.

Main Results:

• Successfully developed and implemented a comprehensive regional survey.
• Achieved improved data quality and reduced respondent burden.
• Strengthened the PANMCC network and fostered further collaboration opportunities.

Conclusions:

• Effective communication, collaboration, and synergies among CCs were key to success.
• Strong leadership, mutual commitment, and network support were crucial.
• Coordinated efforts can inform nursing and midwifery HRH policy in resource-constrained regions.