ANALYSIS OF BRAZILIAN NURSING CARE RESEARCH (2001-2003)

Abstract

Nursing care has evolved in its search for new knowledge and practices, with a view to affirming the profession as science, art and technology. This study presents a descriptive and exploratory bibliographic research from a quantitative and qualitative approach. Objectives: to identify Brazilian nursing theses about care, disseminated in the catalogues of the Nursing Study and Research Centre (CEPEn) between 2001 and 2003; to disclose the theoretical and methodological reference frameworks and the respective new knowledge produced in these nursing theses; to discuss the new knowledge on care that emerged from these theses. Data were obtained from the Brazilian Nursing Association’s website, identifying 54 abstracts on care in a total of 301 theses. Different theoretical and philosophical reference frameworks were found, most of which adopted a socio-humanistic approach, favoring philosophers, anthropologists, sociologists, educators, historians and nurses. The new knowledge production gave rise to 13 thematic subunits of the categories nursing care and research: dialogical, humanistic, cross-dimensional, solidary care, self-care, care delivery/care process, care system, cultural care, care competencies, knowledge in care, power and care, care esthetics, care policies. These thematic subunits are an area of
convergence for new meanings, conceptions and ways of thinking and doing with a view to constructing new technologies or knowledge for nursing practice. The knowledge found in these studies displays different philosophical approaches and methodological plans, new techniques and technologies in the theoretical field of care know-how and focuses on care in nursing practice in different institutional and social contexts.