The use of webQDA for qualitative data analysis from participatory action research related to Advanced Practice Nursing

Abstract

Advanced Practices in Nursing are widespread in several countries, especially in Canada and EUA. However, only recently they have been discussed in Latin American and Caribbean countries, driven by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). They aim to improve users' access to health services and the qualification of health systems to achieve universal coverage. Nurse Practitioners should have specialized training, being recommended the master's level, and must have knowledge capable of meeting the health needs of individuals, families, social groups and collectivities. They must be able to analyze and synthesize knowledge, understand, interpret and apply the theory and research in Nursing, contributing to the development of the profession and practices based on scientific evidence (CNA, 2008). They should also have a high degree of professional autonomy and competence to make clinical decisions, perform assessments, diagnoses, and prescriptions, being responsible for case management, evaluation, and implementation of care and referral programs and plans, and to be the first point of contact of users with health services (ICN, 2009). They should be recognized for its leadership by the healthcare team and users; use scientific evidence to guide their clinical practice, integrating Nursing knowledge with their clinical experience and other related areas; explain and apply their theoretical references in their professional practice; understand, develop and disseminate evidence-based Nursing. They must also demonstrate the ability to propose, plan, implement, participate and evaluate health programs and services according to users' needs; know, perform and apply translational research; make decisions based on advanced judgments. In addition, they should be able to critically analyze health systems and policies (CNA, 2008). This research used the method of development and implementation of ECP proposed by PAHO (2018) in Primary Health in a local health system in the city of São Paulo, SP, Brazil. A participatory action research was conducted, a methodology that involves individuals, organizations and communities in a democratic process for health promotion and social change (Tripp, 2005). The implementation process has multiple applications and allows investigating phenomena underexplored in practical contexts through workshops (Peters, Tran, & Adam, 2013). The workshops are spaces for reflection and experience that make it possible to establish horizontal relationships between the researcher and the research participants and promote exchanges of experiences, knowledge and perceptions about a particular theme (Chiesa & Westphal, 1995). Despite their potential, they are responsible for the generation of large amount of data in audio, video and image formats. Thus, the use of software to support qualitative analysis is essential for the organization of empirical material leading to the research results. In addition, the usability of qualitative analysis software in this research is innovative because the method involves the development and implementation of Advanced Practice Nursing in Brazil.