Palliative Care Core Competencies and novel European matrix for educating bachelor-degree nurses Erasmus Project

Project Title

Palliative Care Core Competencies and novel European matrix for educating bachelor-degree nurses

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Open and distance learning; Key Competences (incl. mathematics and literacy) – basic skills; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses

Project Summary

This project aims to improve the quality of higher education in the field of Palliative Care nursing education by (a) producing a report of European common Core Competences Palliative Care, (b) developing innovative education ‘tools’ for Palliative Care education and (c) training educators in how to work with the European Matrix Palliative Care Core Competences (a toolkit for educators) to introduce these innovative tools into the curriculum. To reach this aim, Kajaani University of applied science (KAMK, Finland), HOWEST University of applied science (HOWEST, Belgium), the University Transylvania of Brasov (UTBV, Romania), Dr. Piret Paal (Paracelsus Medicinische Privatuniversität, PMU, Austria) and the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC, Belgium) will join forces.
Palliative care (PC) is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.
The rate at which populations are aging and living with chronic ill health means that the need for experienced nurses is constantly increasing, but the possibilities for practical internship in Palliative Care are limited. There are few options for gaining bed-side practical experience with regard to supporting patients during the dying phase. Also international research shows that nurses lack Core Competences to deal with Palliative Care situations adequately, as do the educators who train them. An innovative, attractive way of training, with educators who have the right knowledge, skills and attitudes to deal with something as complex as Palliative Care, is needed.
It is widely recognised that Palliative care is not included appropriately into most if not all undergraduate nursing curriculum, a fact also noted in research done by the participating project partners. The NursEduPal@Euro project wants to tackle gaps in Palliative Care knowledge, skills and behaviours by:
1. developing a report that detail the European Palliative Care Core Competences to be reached in bachelor degree nursing education
2. developing innovative tools to teach the Core Competences in Palliative Care
3. developing a training for educators to use the European Matrix and pilot elements in their curriculum
Based on the European Palliative Care Core Competences report and lessons learned from novel teaching tools piloted in the NursEduPal@Euro project, a European matrix of palliative nursing education will be built as a toolkit for educators. This will include innovative tools to teach and assess the Core Competences in PC.

The project rewards excellence in skills development using new ways (blended teaching, e-learning courses, simulation and others) to provide education and the integration of innovative technology by teachers. By training teachers we make sure they feel comfortable introducing new techniques and methodologies both inside and outside their traditional classroom setting, and supporting core competence development needed in practice. This introduction of new methodologies, as an alternative to traditional bedside training, will create new learning opportunities, adapted to the needs of future nurses. This will lead to more attractive and tailored courses that will strengthen skills acquisition of the students. Over time the European Palliative Care Core Competences report and the European Matrix for Palliative Care education should strengthen educator competency ultimately impacting on the nursing care provided by nurses to their patients.

In short: The NursEduPal@Euro project will develop a competence based European matrix for educating bachelor degree nurses, containing innovative blended training tools for educators. This enhanced training resource will enable students to acquire Core Competencies in Palliative Care so they are better equipped to deal with Palliative Care issues in practice.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 365466 Eur

Project Coordinator

HOGESCHOOL WEST-VLAANDEREN HOWEST & Country: BE

Project Partners

• KAJAANIN AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU OY
• EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF PALLIATIVE CARE
• UNIVERSITATEA TRANSILVANIA DIN BRASOV