Care of Pressure and Venous Ulcers in Simulation Environment Erasmus Project

Project Title

Care of Pressure and Venous Ulcers in Simulation Environment

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 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: ICT – new technologies – digital competences; Health and wellbeing; Research and innovation

Project Summary

The problem why the project was created: “The study conducted in different European countries showed that the general prevalence of pressure sores among hospitalised patients is 18%…” (Lamatiste käsitlus … 2016). Level of knowledge about the prevention and treatment of ulcer is low among the nurses. The study conducted in Sweden highlighted the fact that the average level of prevention of pressure sores among nursing staff was 58.9% (Gunningberg 2015: 462) and about the treatment of pressures sores (cleaning, choosing suitable patch dressings, assessment) was 51.4% (Galvão et al 2017: 295). The awareness about the prevention of pressure sores was 65.5% among the nurses in Estonia, the level of knowledge about the pressure sore risk was 67%. The level of knowledge about the conservative treatment was 53.48% (Eensoo et al 2017).

Tallinn Health Care College Development Plan 2017–2021 states that the mission of the College is to train innovately and critically thinking health professionals with technological competences. The vision is to address current challenges in collaboration with national and international partners involving the learners. Skills for using the methods of simulation modelling, proficiency in foreign languages, skills for working in the multicultural environment and digital competences form an important part of the competences of nurses. Based on lifelong learning strategy, the project promotes international collaboration, during which common challenges are addressed, innovative practices are being shared and developed (Erasmus+ strategic collaboration within education 2018).

The aim of the project was to create attractive e-learning course to cover the topic of the care of chronic wounds, based on the latest research results thus supporting the transfer of latest research outputs into education. The added value of such a course is that the prepared e-learning materials are based on the long-term practical experiences of lecturers. The use of digital technologies and animations make the course innovative, improve teaching pedagogies and support the acquisition of new knowledge and skills.

The project is much more effective in case it is implemented internationally, as different countries have different experience in the treatment of chronic wounds. VOHRA – the largest, most active physician wound management group- highlights that harmonization of the treatment of ulcers at the international level is extremely important for the improvement of the quality of nursing care.

The project participants were partner institutions from Finland, Portugal, Hungary and Turkey. The main target group was nursing students of Tallinn Health Care College and partner universities; and Erasmus+ exchange students. The wider target group for follow-up activities were and are hospital nurses and home caregivers in Estonia and abroad.

Modern teaching methods and aids have to be attractive due to the rapid development of the digital world and the changed expectations of learners. As a result of the project an interactive e-learning course (course and 5 practical simulation tasks), 2 questionnaires and a mobile application were created. The interactive web environment in English enables learners to watch study videos, get acquainted with study materials about pressure sores and venous ulcers and fill in tests.The questionnaires enable to assess students´ knowledge before and after passing the course. The results have shown significant improvement of students´ knowledge, especially about the different stages of chronic wounds.

The e-course and mobile app enable to follow the course and learn wherever the learner is and whenever he or she has time. The e-learning course is supplemented by live animations, enabling to demonstrate the different forms and stages of a chronic wound and the process of ulcer healing, i.e. how granulation tissue is formed and how it covers the base of the ulcer. The use of animation in studies makes it possible to teach safely, without harming anybody. An additional value is that one can compare, repeat, complement and adjust the current methodologies in simulation environment.

The course is integrated into the nursing curricula and is used for the preparation of nursing students by all participating institutions. As it is in English, it can also be offered for exchange students and as an additional training course for practicing nurses and other interested stakeholders, thereby ensuring longer-term benefits and sustainability of the course.

The results of the project are important both for nurses in Estonia and abroad, raising the level of their professional preparation. The needs of aging population make such knowledge and practical experiences especially important to be able to provide high quality services.

The College plans to apply for the approval from VOHRA in order to get the course approved by a professional international organization.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 66183 Eur

Project Coordinator

TALLINNA TERVISHOIU KÕRGKOOL & Country: EE

Project Partners

• SEMMELWEIS EGYETEM
• ISTANBUL UNIVERSITESI – CERRAHPASA
• ESCOLA SUPERIOR DE ENFERMAGEM DE COIMBRA
• TURUN AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU OY