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 and Research Board (ERB) 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 ERB 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 European Union and World Health Organisation
- 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 ERB 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 38th EDTNA/ERCA International Conference in Hamburg
Karen Pugh-Clarke – ERB Member
EDTNA/ERCA Fresenius Middle East and Africa renal nurses’ education programme
The continued successful partnership between EDTNA/ERCA and Fresenius Middle East and Africa lead to the delivery of a highly successful second renal nurses’ education programme in Prague, Czech Republic, July 2008. Participants enjoyed the opportunities to lean about developments in contemporary renal care, in addition to sharing clinical practice experiences with nurses from approximately 10 different countries. The programme is built upon strong learning and teaching approaches, which value the diversity of delegate practice expertise. Participants were actively encouraged to cascade knowledge gained from the programme to their colleagues in renal care.
For the first time during the programme a debate was held between two teams to:
- Examine the benefits of various renal therapies offered to patients
- Explore supported patient choice and decision making
This learning strategy proved to be highly effective, and was positively evaluated by delegates.
The 3rd Renal Nurse Education Programme took place in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, May 15th – 20th 2009. EDTNA/ERCA and Fresenius Medical Care (Middle East and Africa) are justifiably proud of the successful implementation of this programme. A full evaluation and report of this 3rd programme will be available soon.
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 of education provided. The accreditation programme requires applicants to provide specific evidence to meet the standards required to achieve accreditation. Presently, universities and schools of nursing from the United Kingdom (UK), Germany, Finland, and Portugal have received successful accreditation.
An increasing number of industry partners are now seeking formal endorsement for their educational programmes. Of late, Diaverum have successfully attained a three year endorsement of their Competence in Practice Programme, and Fresenius Medical Care (Middle East and Africa) have secured three year approval of their Peritoneal Dialysis Programme. During 2009 a number of industry partners have expressed a desire to seek endorsement of their renal education programmes, and are currently in various stages of preparing applications for formal review.
John Sedgewick – ERB Chair
E-learning
Following the successful development of the first e-learning module on vascular access, and its subsequent launch during the 37th EDTNA/ERCA International Conference in Prague, Czech Republic, September 6th – 9th 2008, the ERB are currently focusing on the evaluation of this module. Feedback on the module has been very positive and, whilst the number of users continues to grow, every opportunity has been taken to promote the further development and use of this module. The flexible nature of e-learning facilitates the incorporation of learning activities into learners’ professional and personal schedules. Successful completion of the module leads to the award of EDTNA/ERCA learning hour’s certification, which may be used as evidence of individual continuing professional development.
Plans to develop future e-learning modules are currently underway. It is hoped that collaboration will continue with renal industry representatives in the subsequent development and sponsorship of this flexible mode of learning for EDTNA/ERCA members.
John Sedgewick – ERB Chair
Continuing education
A continuing education (CE) article addressing a specific aspect of nephrology care is published in each edition of the Journal of Renal Care (JRC). Each CE article includes 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.
Forthcoming CE articles include the management of comorbidity in patients with renal disease, and renal anaemia management.
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 guidelines to prevent VND was launched during the Prague conference. The poster was presented during the ERB workshop on patient safety, translated into the official languages of the EDTNA/ERCA, and distributed to all delegates in Prague. A basic text, to accompany the poster, was published in the JRC.
Additionally, endorsement of the poster by the American Nephrology Nurses’ Association (ANNA) is currently being sought. If this endorsement is successful, the poster will also carry the ANNA logo and the phrase ‘in collaboration with ANNA’.
Jean-Pierre Vanwaeleghem – ERB 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 38th EDTNA/ERCA International Conference in Hamburg, Germany, September 5th – 8th 2009
The ERB is organising several sessions during the Hamburg conference. Activities include:
- A workshop entitled ‘Developing and implementing innovative teaching strategies for patient education’ (September 7th 1400hrs). Guest speakers include Dr. Paula Ormandy (UK), Per Ake Zillén (Sweden), and John Sedgewick (UK)
- Meeting with members from renal industry seeking accreditation and endorsement of their education programmes
- A session entitled ‘Promoting evidence informed clinical practice to enhance care’ (September 8th 1100hrs). Guest speakers include Professor Renzo Zanotti (Italy), Margaret McCann (Ireland), Angela Lindsey (Australia), Frank Kelly (Ireland), and Karen Pugh-Clarke (UK). This workshop will be followed by a round table debate on evidence informed nephrology nursing
ERB Members will be at the ERB booth during all breaks at the conference, and will be available to advise delegates on matters related to professional development.
Karen Pugh-Clarke – ERB Member |
