The influence of capitalism on the production of knowledge in nursing

Objective  To understand the capitalist influence over the production of nursing knowledge according to Brazilian and Portuguese researchers.

Method  Descriptive, exploratory, and qualitative research, with 17 research nurses selected using the snowball technique. Data were collected from October 2011 to November 2012 in Brazil and Portugal, by means of semi-structured interviews. We analysed the content of the interviews and produced inferences based in the theoretical assumptions of Gaston Bachelard and the notion of an epistemological obstacle.

Results  The results were organised into three categories: Blocks to creativity/innovation and the practice of repetition; Overestimation of the quantitative; and Resistance to rupture.

Conclusion  It is necessary to create new ways of assessing scientific literature from a qualitative perspective that allows room for creativity, professional development, and critical and reflective thinking. Solidarity is perceived as an alternative to overcoming the problems caused by the capitalist way of producing knowledge.

Nursing; Knowledge; Nursing research; Scientific publications indicators; Efficiency; Capitalism