Nursing services in the specialty of pediatrics: challenge and realities in a panamanian environment

Abstract

Pediatric nursing, essential for the health of children and adolescents, focuses on the comprehensive care of children at all stages of development. This research specifically examines vaccination processes in children, as in Panama, this field faces challenges such as resource shortages, work overload, lack of specialized training, and cultural diversity, all of which affect the quality of care. Despite these difficulties, pediatric nurses demonstrate great commitment. This study, framed within nursing theories and care models, aimed to analyze pediatric nursing services, their challenges, and realities in the Panamanian context. An emerging paradigm with a mixed-method approach was adopted. The quantitative phase measured quality indicators (satisfaction, safety, efficiency) through surveys and records. The qualitative phase explored the experiences of nurses in health centers through semi-structured interviews. Convenience and simple random sampling were used. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis and descriptive and inferential statistics. The main challenges identified include shortages of human and material resources, work overload, lack of specialized training, cultural diversity, and social determinants of health, aligning with findings from studies in Latin America. The study highlights the need to strengthen continuous education, improve resource management, encourage multidisciplinary collaboration, implement patient- and family-centered care models, and promote research in pediatric nursing. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of developing specialized training programs, implementing efficient management models, enhancing interdisciplinary communication, applying patient- and family-centered care approaches, and establishing priority research lines.