Characterization of Nursing Informatics Courses in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Abstract

Objectives: Understanding and utilizing technology in nursing practice are crucial for adapting to digital environments and enhancing patient care. In this context, integrating nursing informatics courses into university curricula is essential. These courses facilitate a deeper understanding of patient needs and concerns and foster key competencies in technology management. This study aims to identify and characterize the current status of nursing informatics subjects within the undergraduate nursing curricula of Spanish-speaking universities in Latin America and the Caribbean, thereby emphasizing their importance in nursing education and informatics.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2022, involving a systematic search of nursing informatics subjects in the curricula of accredited Spanish-speaking universities offering undergraduate nursing degrees in the Latin American and Caribbean region.

Results: Twenty-three out of 400 universities in seven Latin American and Caribbean countries (Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Peru, and the Dominican Republic) were identified as offering nursing informatics courses. The syllabi typically include health information systems, database utilization, standardized terminology, health informatics regulations, applications, and nursing informatics fundamentals.

Conclusions: Despite the growing importance of nursing informatics, the availability of related courses in university curricula remains limited. These courses are generally offered midway through the degree programs, are not integrated into a sequential curriculum structure, and are predominantly provided by public institutions. However, the course content aligns with international recommendations, highlighting their potential to enhance nursing education and informatics practices.