Primary health care nursing education in Canadian university schools of nursing

This study was designed to investigate the integration of primary healthcare (PHC) in the curricula of Canadian university schools of nursing. A descriptive survey approach design was used. Development of an instrument that was tested for reliability and validity was followed by the survey of the 32 university schools of nursing in Canada that offered nursing programs in 1992-1993. Data were obtained from 31 of the 32 schools; representing a total of 50 programs (42 undergraduate and 8 masters). Scales were constructed for 11 measures of PHC integration into the curricula. This study reveals that schools are moving toward integrating PHC and that approximately 60% of them can be said to have a reasonable degree of integration. The findings provide direction for curriculum development, nursing practice, and nursing research.