The III International Scientific and Practical Conference “Nursing and Contemporary Challenges” Took Place at TNMU
On October 24, 2024, the III International Scientific and Practical Conference “Nursing and Contemporary Challenges” was held at I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University. The event gathered over 200 participants, including scientists, healthcare professionals, and representatives from health systems in Ukraine, the USA, Ireland, Canada, Belgium, Poland, and other countries.
The Educational and Scientific Institute of Nursing of TNMU, the Nursing Development Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, and MacEwan University (Canada) organized the conference.
The conference began with welcoming remarks from representatives of the organizers and partners. Ivan Klishch, Vice-Rector for Research at TNMU, greeted the participants and emphasized the importance of international cooperation in advancing nursing education. Svitlana Danchak, Director of the Institute of Nursing, highlighted the role of nurses in addressing modern healthcare challenges, such as pandemics, psychosocial issues of patients, and other global crises.
Key topics discussed at the conference included professional rehabilitation for people with disabilities, combating burnout among nurses, developing digital competencies, as well as the role of nurses in crisis situations, and implementing trauma-informed approaches in nursing education to prepare nurses for providing psychosocial support to patients.
The conference program consisted of two sections: national and international blocks. Participants from various countries presented reports on integrating modern technology into medical education, the role of nurses in crisis situations, and the importance of continuous professional development.
As a distinguished conference guest, Mark White, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), shared the Irish experience, discussing the strategic planning and leadership development shaping modern nursing and midwifery.
Gail Low, Associate Professor at MacEwan University, presented the results of a national mental health study, underscoring the importance of mental well-being among healthcare workers.
Amita Avadhani, a Professor from Temple University, shared the American experience with motivational interviewing, highlighting its role in improving nurse-patient interactions, which fosters more effective patient support.
Paul Mahon from RCSI focused on the challenges faced by new nursing graduates in adapting to professional practice, a crucial step in ensuring quality healthcare services.
Ivan McGlen from Keele University (UK) spoke on psychiatric care, presenting an emergency psychiatric assessment tool for quick and accurate diagnoses.
Stephen Di Donato from Thomas Jefferson University talked about the importance of creating a safe educational environment in nursing based on open dialogue and emotional support.
Elizabeth Burgess-Pinto, an Associate Professor at MacEwan University, shared insights into the current state of nursing in the context of globalization.
Conny Vervynck, from Belgium, shared expertise in palliative care, outlining the main criteria for transitioning to intensive palliative care for severely ill patients.
Larysa Haiduk, Director of the Ukrainian Resource and Development Centre at MacEwan University, delivered a presentation titled “Cross-Border Cooperation: MacEwan-TNMU Partnership in Nursing,” highlighting key achievements and prospects in the collaboration between MacEwan University and I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University.
She emphasized the importance of international partnerships in sharing experiences, especially in implementing modern teaching methods and enhancing nurses’ professional competencies. Larysa also underscored the role of such initiatives in strengthening the professional network of healthcare workers, which is particularly important in the face of global healthcare challenges.
The event concluded with the adoption of a resolution and a plan for further cooperation in the development of nursing education. The conference served as a platform for experience exchange, developing new approaches, and strengthening international ties in the nursing field.