Integrative Nursing Education Series Erasmus Project

Project Title

Integrative Nursing Education Series

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 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Research and innovation; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Health and wellbeing

Project Summary

BACKGROUND
Treatments to reduce pain and anxiety focus primarily on pharmacological interventions. However, the increased use of medication around Europe is increasingly leading to adverse effects and opioid dependency. In addition, the medical and societal costs related to chronic conditions and medication intake are substantial, resulting in an increased interest in non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs).
NPIs, such as massage, breathing exercises and music interventions, have been scientifically proven safe and effective in alleviating pain, reducing anxiety, and improving comfort and sleep. Because these evidence-based NPIs can be used in combination with pharmacological treatments, they are part of what is internationally known as Integrative Nursing (IN).

There is need to include NPIs/IN in the education curriculum for nurses. Firstly, patients use NPIs and nurses should be able to communicate with their patients about their health seeking behaviour and self-management. Secondly, there is ample evidence for certain NPIs, and nurses should be able to use this latest scientific evidence in their daily practice. Thirdly, nurses should know when NPIs can be harmful for a patient.

Some nursing schools in Europe offer small scale elective courses at post-graduate level on NPIs/IN. However, these programmes are often based on individual efforts, have limited impact and do not have the advantage of international collaboration and best educational practices.

We aim to develop the INES, an education module for nursing students during their Bachelor level nursing training. The INES project stands for Integrative Nursing Education Series. The objectives of the project are to strengthen European nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, competencies and skills on evidence-based and safe non-pharmacological interventions and its integration in patient care in all relevant health care settings.
This is a collaboration of 5 institutes (of which 3 academic) among 4 countries: The Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Iceland. Participants are nurse educators, education specialists, NPIs/IN experts and nurse scientists.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS
Within the INES project we will deliver four Intellectual Outputs over the course of 36 months.

To reach this overall aim we propose 4 intellectual outputs that will be achieved in 36 months. The activities are categorized into four consecutive intellectual outputs (IO).
– IO1 INES database on all current education material on NPIs/IN used in nursing education internationally.
– IO2 Nurse Competency Profile, based on the CanMEDS profile, in which we establish what competencies nurses at Bachelor level should have regarding NPIs/IN.
– IO3 Content of the Integrative Nursing Education Series: a blended learning and interactive programme presented in various ways.
SERIES 1 is about core competency Attitude and about understanding how NPIs are perceived by different people and why.
SERIES 2 is about core competency Knowledge and discusses amongst other things what NPIs are, why and when they are used, what potential risks are.
SERIES 3 is about core competency Skills and refers to the ability to communicate with patients and their family members about NPIs; and being equipped to clinically assess when and which NPIs might be useful for the patient.
– IO4 Roadmap to Integrative Nursing: a strategic innovation roadmap towards education on Bachelor level nursing in NPIs/IN.

IMPACT AND BENEFITS
This project will improve the quality of nurse education on NPIs/IN, strengthen international collaboration, bring more visibility to evidence-based practices that are currently not used in patient care, and help advocate for patients’ needs.

As patient needs and care are changing in all European countries, we need to equip nurses with the attitude, knowledge and skills that can help them in their day to day work. Nursing schools around Europe are looking for ways to educate nurses on NPIs/IN. This project will support these initiatives by developing an evidence-based nursing education curriculum on NPIs/IN. The INES project will lay the foundation for this innovation in education. Upon completion of this project, all partners will continue working in this field. Furthermore, we aim to set up a European Education Network on NPIs/IN.

Ultimately, the INES will have an impact on clinical nursing practice and patient care in hospitals, nursing homes and in community care. Furthermore, due to its academic foundation, INES can have an impact on health insurance policy makers, hospital management and local government, who will need to pay closer attention to the use of NPIs in addition to pharmacological management of pain, anxiety and other complaints.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 437975 Eur

Project Coordinator

ERASMUS UNIVERSITAIR MEDISCH CENTRUM ROTTERDAM & Country: NL

Project Partners

• KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET
• HASKOLI ISLANDS
• VIA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
• Van Praag Instituut voor Mens en Toekomst