Itinerant Group: An Innovative Proposal for the Study of Nursing Diagnosis

BACKGROUND A nursing diagnosis study group was created in 1994 as a university extension activity organized by professors of the Nursing School of Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, in the south of Brazil. Nurses and professors met weekly to exchange information and promote discussion about nursing care, with emphasis on nursing diagnosis. In 1996 the group linked to the Brazilian Nursing Association Section in order to expand this work to the professional community. MAIN CONTENT POINTS This group committed itself to organize meetings open to all the nursing professionals interested in exchanging experiences about nursing care and nursing diagnosis, through the presentation of case studies and papers. In order to facilitate participation and integration of professionals from different health institutions and nursing schools, an itinerant group was formed. From 1999 to 2000 meetings were held in seven different hospitals in the city. The number of participants varied from 19 to 40 people and included students, nurse helpers, and technicians from 6 universities and 15 healthcare institutions. CONCLUSIONS This experience has been successful in spreading the use of and discussing nursing diagnosis. After a period without meetings, the group will restart in 2002.