health services’ reform and nursing in Greece

The development of health services in Greece started in the 19th century. Historically seen, there are three reformatory periods of the health services’ structure: firstly, the period 1910–1935, when the basis of a modern health chart was set, the period after the second world war, during which the effort to relieve the population, to control the infectious diseases and to extend the existing hospital units took place and finally, the period after 1980 which is characterized by the effort of developing a National Health System, the accession of the country into the European Union and the rapid introduction of new technologies into the health services’ sector. This review focuses on the development of nursing services, respectively to these historical changes. Major health services’ reforms during 20th century are followed by measures which have upgraded nursing studies and practice. From voluntary doctors’ assistance, nursing has turned into discipline with distinct content and role. The development of methods of treatment and diagnosis by using modern biotechnological applications and the increased and complex managerial problems of the hospitals meet very high standards of knowledge and practice for health professionals. Nursing is challenged to contribute to the best administrative, scientific and economic management of health services’ units, to the implementation of public health policies and to keep up with the advances in technology. First of all nursing must protect its human face, since the primary role of nurses is to reduce the human pain and to contribute to the patients’ relief.

Category: Volume 45, N 4
Hits: 785 Hits
Created Date: 15-12-2006
Authors: Venetia-Sofia Velonaki , Athina Kalokerinou-Anagnostopoulou