EDTNA/ERCA Education& Research Board

As the major Association representing nephrology nursing in Europe, the EDTNA/ERCA has the responsibility to continually strive to improve the quality of nephrology practice, and to ensure the highest level of professional competence among its members.

The Education&Research Board (E&RB) was formed in September 2007, by the amalgamation of the established boards for education and research. Education and research jointly underpin current nephrology nursing practice, expanding the boundaries of knowledge and optimising patient outcomes.

The aims of the E&RB are to:

• Identify the education and research needs of members and co-ordinate appropriate activities
• Stimulate, advise, and support education and research activities within the context of nephrology nursing
• Monitor and approve education and research projects
• Seek recognition of the Association’s education and research activities at national and international level, in conjunction with the EDTNA/ERCA Liaison Officers of the EU and WHO
• Recognise and certify education activities submitted for approval to the Association
• Develop and maintain links with professional associations, renal patients’ associations, and the renal care industry for the accomplishment of mutual education and research goals

Current projects and activities within the E&RB encompass:

• EDTNA/ERCA Fresenius Middle East and Africa renal nurses’ education programme
• Accreditation and endorsement of renal education programmes
• E-learning
• Continuing education
• Venous needle dislodgement
• Renal competencies
• Preparation of educational and research sessions for presentation at the EDTNA/ERCA 37th International Conference in Prague

EDTNA/ERCA Fresenius Middle East and Africa renal nurses’ education programme

Following the successful first Middle East renal nurses’ education programme in Madrid in July 2007, plans are well underway for the second programme to be delivered in Prague, July 19th – 21st 2008. This programme is a successful joint educational partnership between the EDTNA/ERCA ERB and Fresenius Middle East.

The programme aims to provide an update in contemporary nephrology nursing, addressing current developments in key areas such as haemodialysis, haemofiltration, and peritoneal dialysis. This programme brings together approximately 60 nurses from across the Middle East, Gulf States, and North and South Africa, to share their knowledge, experiences, and professional expertise. Interactive workshops, parallel sessions related to specialist topics, and clinical debates, make for an enjoyable learning experience.

John Sedgewick – Programme Faculty Chair

Accreditation and endorsement of renal education programmes

The accreditation and endorsement project continues to provide opportunities for universities, colleges, and hospitals offering educational programmes to seek formal recognition for the quality and standard of education provided. The accreditation programme requires applicants to provide specific evidence to meet the quality standards required to achieve accreditation. Currently, universities and schools of nursing from the UK, Germany, Finland, and Portugal have received successful accreditation.

An increasing number of industry partners are now seeking formal endorsement of their educational programmes. Presently, Gambro and Fresenius Middle East have secured approval for a number of programmes, which seek to award endorsement for a period of either one or three years. A number of new applicants from renal industry have expressed an interest in pursuing endorsement through the EDTNA/ERCA.

John Sedgewick – ERB Chair

E-learning

The E&RB has been working on finalising the launch of the first e-learning module on vascular access. Under the guidance of our e-learning advisor, Judith Hurst, the E&RB has now completed all the learning materials for this first module. E-learning will be supported by an electronic learning platform termed ‘model’. Currently, the first module is in the development stage, with a test run planned for July 2008.

The module takes the ‘patient journey’ as a focus for learning, and follows four patients on their ‘treatment and care management journey’ in renal care. Central to the module is the integration of a variety of interactive learning exercises and activities, which encourage learners to consider the application of elements from the module to clinical practice. Learners also have the opportunity to complete a variety of assessments built into the module. Upon successful completion of the assessments, an EDTNA/ERCA Certificate of Learning will be issued.

The E&RB have a number of other modules to be proposed for development, but in the first instance, our focus is to evaluate the first vascular access module. The E&RB will be formally launching the e-learning project during the Prague Conference. This is an exciting time for the Association, and, as always, the E&RB are enthusiastic about bringing a more flexible approach to learning for our members.

John Sedgewick – E&RB Chair

Continuing education

As of June 2008, a continuing education (CE) article on one aspect of nephrology care will be published in each edition of the Journal of Renal Care (JoRC). Each CE article will include various learning activities, aimed at developing the reader’s knowledge and understanding of the topic addressed in the article. After reading the CE article, and on completion of the learning activities, the reader will have achieved three hours of learning, in accordance with the EDTNA/ERCA criteria for continuing professional development.

Future development, with regards to CE articles, will be the inclusion of knowledge assessment tools and the provision of certificates for learning hours. We are aiming to have these developed and included in CE articles published during 2009.

A CE article on vascular access management has been published in the June 2008 edition of the JoRC. This will be followed in September 2008 with a CE article on monitoring patients with chronic kidney disease.

Margaret McCann – ERB Member

Venous needle dislodgement

The venous needle dislodgement (VND) project continues to progress well, and in collaboration with Redsense Medical, a clinical poster illustrating EDTNA/ERCA practice recommendations to prevent VND will be launched during the Prague Conference. The poster will be presented during the E&RB workshop on patient safety, translated into the official languages of the EDTNA/ERCA, and be distributed to all delegates in Prague. A basic text, to accompany the poster, will be published in the JoRC.

Jean-Pierre Van Waeleghem – E&RB Member

Renal competencies

The finished booklet and assessor’s guide, generated by the renal competencies project, has been sent for addition to the EDTNA/ERCA website, along with the completed Portuguese version. There has already been a positive response from an Australian renal unit, wishing to incorporate elements of the renal competences project into practice.

The assessor’s guide is currently in Word format, although this will subsequently be modified to a PDF.

Melissa Chamney – ERB Member

Preparation of educational and research sessions for presentation at the EDTNA/ERCA 37th International Conference in Prague, September 6th – 9th 2008

The E&RB is organising several sessions during the Prague conference. Activities include:

• Launching of the e-learning project (September 7th 09:00hrs)
• Two sessions focusing on patient safety in relation to vascular access, including the launching of the EDTNA/ERCA guidelines on VND (September 7th 11:00hrs and 14:00hrs)
• Meeting with members from renal industry seeking accreditation and endorsement of their education programmes (September 8th 16:00hrs, during the Annual General Meeting)
• Two patient education workshops focusing on developing empowerment in practice, and also in families and carers (September 9th 09:00hrs and 11:00hrs)      

Furthermore, E&RB Members will be at the E&RB booth during all breaks at the Conference, and will be available to advise delegates on matters related to professional development. Whilst at the E&RB booth, delegates can test the e-learning module, and give feedback on e-learning and other issues of their concern.

Hildur Einarsdóttir – E&RB Member