Nursing Beyond the Year 2000 : Report of a WHO Study Group

Nurses and midwives are the largest group of health care personnel.

Without them modern health care systems could not operate.

The year 2000 will bring more focus on healthy lifestyles and self-care, implying that the nurse's role will be that of enabler, facilitator and manager of care.

At the same time the spread of sophisticated technology calls for greater specialization.

This report gives a broad view of the demands and challenges that nurses and midwives will face in the decades to come.

The implications for nursing practices and primary health care are examined as well as the effects on education and research.