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    Tag: Research

    June 14 – World Blood Donor Day

    Federica Sorrentino

    Today, June 14, marks World Blood Donor Day, promoted by the World Health Organization under the 2025 slogan: “Give blood, give hope: together we save lives.” This date highlights the vital importance of voluntary blood donation in ensuring safe and readily available blood supplies—an essential resource in emergencies, medical treatments, and cancer care.

    According to the WHO, a single unit of blood can save up to three lives, demonstrating the profound impact of donors’ generosity. Yet, many parts of the world still face blood shortages, with serious consequences for healthcare systems. In Italy, numerous organizations actively promote the donation of whole blood and blood components, playing a crucial role in supporting the National Health Service. This life-saving act not only protects patients’ health but also strengthens community solidarity.

    The Healthcare Master’s Programs at the University of Parma incorporate these values into their educational framework, particularly emphasizing the role of donation as an integral part of prevention, healthcare risk management, and collective well-being.

    The academic and cultural commitment to blood donation reflects the ethical and social dimensions embedded in the training path, preparing future professionals to view donation as a responsible and necessary act—one that sustains the life of increasingly interconnected communities.

    ONLINE RECORDINGS OF MEETINGS WITH PROF. SHARON BROWNIE NOW AVAILABLE

    Federica Sorrentino

    The training series led by Prof. Sharon Brownie continues. She is a Visiting Professor of Nursing at the University of Parma and a distinguished figure in international healthcare leadership.

    Each week, recordings of the meetings from this series are published on the Master in Healthcare YouTube channel. Four videos are already available and can be freely accessed by professionals, students, and educators in the healthcare field.

    The sessions address key strategic topics for the future of healthcare, including:

    • Teaching and learning: developments in interprofessional education—partnership-based service delivery (link)
    • Teaching and learning: competency-based curriculum development and assessment, including tips for OSCE examiners (link)
    • Research and innovation: current and future perspectives in nursing education (link)
    • Research and innovation: defining your research question, developing a funding application & submitting an application (link)

    This series represents a valuable professional development opportunity, designed to enhance the skills of healthcare professionals with an international and interdisciplinary approach.

    Stay tuned! A new video will be uploaded every week to further enrich the shared educational resources of the Master in Healthcare programs.

    “Sharing knowledge is the first step toward building a more informed, equitable, and global healthcare system. We are pleased to offer high-quality content thanks to our collaboration with Prof. Brownie, to whom we extend our sincere thanks for her valuable contribution”, said Prof. Antonio Bonacaro, Associate Professor of Nursing at the University of Parma.

    GREEN HOSPITAL: HEALTHCARE THAT RESPECTS THE ENVIRONMENT

    Federica Sorrentino

    In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, the healthcare system is also called upon to play its part. This has led to the emergence of the Green Hospital concept—an innovative vision of hospitals and healthcare facilities not only as places for healing individuals, but also as champions of environmental protection and promoters of holistic health.

    Green Hospitals stand out for their adoption of eco-friendly practices and management strategies aimed at reducing environmental impact, optimizing the use of natural resources, promoting energy efficiency, and encouraging sustainable behaviors. Environmental sustainability in healthcare is no longer an option, but a collective responsibility that translates into concrete and measurable actions.

    Key initiatives undertaken by Green Hospitals include:

    • Designing buildings with low environmental impact;
    • Using renewable energy and smart systems to manage consumption;
    • Reducing medical waste and implementing circular economy practices;
    • Promoting sustainable mobility for both patients and staff;
    • Employing safe, eco-friendly materials;
    • Selecting suppliers who comply with minimum environmental criteria.

    The Master’s programs in Healthcare at the University of Parma actively promote a culture of sustainability within the healthcare sector. The curriculum combines topics such as healthcare organization, risk management, technological innovation, and environmental economics, preparing professionals who are equipped to face current challenges and design more sustainable structures and processes.

    Being a healthcare professional today also means actively contributing to a care system that respects the environment, prioritizes climate justice, and fosters well-being for future generations. Green Hospitals represent a new paradigm, where health is measured not only in clinical terms but also in relation to the balance with the ecosystem that sustains us. This vision is strongly supported by the University of Parma’s Healthcare Master’s programs, which are committed to training mindful, innovative, and responsible professionals.

    ONE HEALTH: AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO GLOBAL HEALTH

    Federica Sorrentino

    In recent years, the growing interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health has led to a fundamental paradigm shift in public health and the training of health professionals. It is within this context that the One Health approach has emerged and gained strength, promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO), the FAO, the OIE, and other international institutions, as an integrated response to global health challenges.

    One Health is a strategy that recognizes the inextricable link between the health of people, animals, and the environment. The rise in diseases transmitted from animals to humans, the emergence of new infectious threats, antimicrobial resistance, climate change, and biodiversity loss have highlighted the urgent need for shared, cross-sectoral health policies.

    The One Health approach aims to:

    • foster collaboration among physicians, veterinarians, biologists, nurses, environmental scientists, and public health professionals;
    • integrate data and knowledge to prevent, detect, and respond promptly to complex health threats;
    • promote sustainable policies that protect ecosystems and improve the health of both human and animal communities.

    In line with these goals, the Healthcare Master’s programs at the University of Parma promote multidisciplinary training based on an integrated public health model, aware of the interrelationships between health, environment, and society.

    Adopting the One Health model means not only responding to current crises but also building a culture of prevention, sustainability, and global solidarity. For future health professionals, being trained with this vision is a strategic choice as well as an ethical responsibility. In a world where everything is connected, caring for health means caring for the world we live in.

    MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH AND SAFETY CULTURE: THE VISION OF THE ICLN COURSE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PARMA

    Federica Sorrentino

    The increasing complexity of healthcare today requires professionals who can integrate technical, clinical, relational, and organizational skills. In this context, the Advanced Training and Specialization Course in Infection Control Link Nurse (ICLN), promoted by the University of Parma as part of its Master’s programs in Healthcare, was created.

    Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) represent one of the main challenges to patient safety. Their prevention can no longer be entrusted to individual roles or managed in a fragmented way: it requires collective action, a shared culture, and an integrated approach. This is precisely why the ICLN Course aims to train healthcare professionals capable of working in multidisciplinary settings, acting as a bridge between clinical staff, infection risk prevention officers, and healthcare management.

    The training program is designed to develop four key dimensions:

    • The ability to translate scientific evidence and protocols into everyday care practices, adapting them to specific contexts;
    • The competence to transfer knowledge and best practices to colleagues, promoting continuous on-the-job training;
    • The creation of internal and external collaborative networks capable of integrating knowledge and responsibilities at all levels of the healthcare system;
    • An active role in facilitating organizational change, guiding healthcare structures toward higher standards of safety, quality, and accountability.

    This approach is not only theoretical but highly experiential: the course includes lectures, workshops, project work, and internship activities, ensuring training that is deeply rooted in the operational reality of healthcare services.

    The ICLN thus becomes a key figure not only for the prevention of HAIs but for the entire system of healthcare quality and safety—a facilitator, an educator, a promoter of continuous improvement.

    The ICLN Advanced Training Course is unique in the Italian educational landscape: it is the first structured program dedicated to training this professional role, aligned with Italian regulations and the latest international evidence on infection control.

    MENTAL HEALTH AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS: A PRIORITY THAT STARTS WITH EDUCATION

    Federica Sorrentino

    In recent years, the issue of mental health among healthcare professionals has become increasingly central to the debate on the sustainability of healthcare systems. The daily challenges they face — from long shifts to emergency management, from emotional strain to clinical responsibility — make healthcare workers particularly vulnerable to stress, burnout, anxiety, and mood disorders.

    The mental health of healthcare professionals is not only an individual right, but also a key factor in the quality and safety of care. International studies confirm that the psychological well-being of staff is positively correlated with listening skills, empathy, error management, and patient satisfaction. Promoting mental health, therefore, means investing in the resilience of healthcare teams, reducing absenteeism, improving staff retention, and fostering fairer, more sustainable work environments.

    In this context, the Healthcare Master’s Programs at the University of Parma promote an integrated vision of mental health within the healthcare sector — not only as an educational topic, but as a cross-disciplinary skill and a core part of organizational culture. Through theoretical modules, experiential workshops, supervision, and group work, these programs aim to train self-aware professionals who can care for others without neglecting themselves, in the pursuit of both personal and professional sustainability.

    Addressing the mental health of healthcare personnel is no longer optional — it is a strategic priority. For this reason, it is essential to continue investing in ongoing education, organizational support, and a culture that values the human dimension of healthcare professionals, even before their professional role.

    The Healthcare Master’s Programs at the University of Parma champion this vision, contributing to the development of a new generation of healthcare workers who are stronger, more self-aware, and more attentive to their own well-being and that of their colleagues.

    ICLN: A TRAINING RESPONSE TO REGULATORY AND PROFESSIONAL NEEDS

    Federica Sorrentino

    In recent years, the prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) has become an essential priority for all advanced healthcare systems. The growing need for specialized professionals who can act as a bridge between healthcare management and care staff has made it necessary to establish an official, recognized training program aligned with the Italian regulatory framework.

    The role of the Infection Control Link Nurse (ICLN), already present in many national and international clinical settings, has often operated without a formalized training pathway, leaving a significant gap between the required and certified competencies.

    Thanks to the regulatory support provided by Ministerial Decree of July 27, 2000, Law 42/1999, and Law 251/2000, the University of Parma – within its Healthcare Master’s Programs – has designed and launched the Postgraduate and Advanced Training Course in Infection Control Link Nurse, the first of its kind in Italy.

    Why was the ICLN Course created?
    • To fill a training gap in the specialized education of professionals already working in healthcare settings;
    • To provide a concrete response to the demand for certified competencies in infection control;
    • To offer a structured, rigorous, and up-to-date training model, clearly distinct from the many non-accredited short courses currently available on the market.

    The course is based on evidence-based competencies, combining theoretical and practical modules with the development of a project work or experiential internship, ensuring that learning is truly applicable in clinical contexts.
    The Infection Control Link Nurse thus becomes a strategic figure in promoting patient safety, reducing the risk of infection, and disseminating high-quality care practices.

    MAY 12 – INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY: CELEBRATING CARE, COMPETENCE, AND HUMANITY

    Federica Sorrentino

    Today, May 12, the world celebrates International Nurses Day, commemorating the birth of Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of modern nursing. This occasion is not only a symbolic tribute but also a moment of deep reflection on the irreplaceable role that nurses play every day within the healthcare system.

    Nurses are often the first professionals patients come into contact with, serving as a constant point of reference throughout the entire care journey. With competence, empathy, a spirit of service, and resilience, they contribute daily to health promotion, prevention, chronic disease management, and care in the most complex situations, including global health emergencies.

    In this context, the Healthcare Master’s Programs at the University of Parma have long been committed to supporting the professional growth of nurses by promoting an advanced, multidisciplinary, and innovation-oriented educational model. These programs are designed to enhance the clinical, managerial, educational, and interpersonal skills of those working in the field, while also emphasizing the ethical and human dimensions of care.

    “Celebrating this day means recognizing the central role of the profession closest to individuals and communities. Nurses are often silent yet essential protagonists of the entire healthcare system. Our Master’s programs aim to train professionals capable of blending science with humanity, clinical rigor with attentive listening, and technology with meaningful relationships. I wish all nurses a wonderful and meaningful day of celebration and reflection,” said Professor Antonio Bonacaro, Associate Professor of Nursing Science and coordinator of the Healthcare Master’s Programs at the University of Parma.

    In this spirit, the University reaffirms its commitment to promoting a culture of health based on the value of relationships, care, and shared knowledge.

    UNIVERSITY OF PARMA: LAUNCH OF THE ADVANCED TRAINING COURSE IN INFECTION CONTROL LINK NURSE (ICLN)

    Federica Sorrentino

    As part of its Healthcare Master’s programs, the University of Parma is launching the first Advanced Training and Specialization Course in Infection Control Link Nurse (ICLN) in Italy—a unique program designed to provide advanced training for healthcare professionals in the prevention and management of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The ICLN plays a key role in the modern healthcare system, acting as a vital link between infection control teams and frontline clinical staff, significantly contributing to reducing infection risks and improving patient outcomes.

    Equipped with technical expertise, clinical skills, organizational abilities, and leadership qualities, the ICLN is a reference figure in promoting patient safety and excellence in care.

    The aim of the course is to train professionals capable of promoting the adoption and ongoing update of best practices through a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach.

    The call for applications will be published in June 2025, with the application deadline set for the end of July 2025.
    Enrollment is scheduled for September 2025, and the course will run from October 2025 to February 2026.
    The program lasts four months and will be delivered online in synchronous mode on Thursdays and Fridays, on alternating weeks, to accommodate working students.
    The total cost is €900, payable in two installments (€500 + €400). Five auditor slots are available at a reduced cost of €600.
    Upon completion of the course, participants will earn 30 ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System).

    Admission is granted without a selection exam, subject to availability, to candidates holding one of the following:

    • Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Midwifery, or equivalent qualifications
    • Health Assistant qualification obtained under the old academic system
    • Degree in Environmental and Workplace Prevention Techniques
    • Diplomas and equivalent qualifications in accordance with current legislation

    The curriculum includes 100 hours of lectures and 125 hours dedicated to either an optional internship or the development of a project work, which can be carried out within the participant’s own healthcare organization or another selected institution.
    At the end of the course, students will be required to submit a final paper focusing on a topic of particular relevance to their professional interests.

    Key modules include:

    • Healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance
    • Evidence-based prevention strategies and dissemination methods
    • Clinical governance and quality of care
    • Team leadership and professional networking

    Special emphasis is placed on developing skills for managing organizational change and building collaborative professional networks.

    “The launch of this course is a concrete and strategic response to the growing need for integrating clinical, organizational, and communication skills in infection risk management. The Infection Control Link Nurse acts as a bridge—translating scientific evidence into daily good practices while engaging sensitively and authoritatively with multidisciplinary care teams. Training these professionals means investing in quality and safety in healthcare, enhancing the proactive role of every healthcare worker in infection prevention and in fostering a culture of continuous improvement,” said Professor Antonio Bonacaro, Associate Professor of Nursing Sciences at the University of Parma and Course Director.

    Link to the course

    MAY 5 – WORLD HAND HYGIENE DAY: A SIMPLE GESTURE, A VITAL ACTION

    Federica Sorrentino

    May 5 marks World Hand Hygiene Day, promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO) as part of the global campaign “Save Lives: Clean Your Hands.” It is an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of a simple yet essential gesture for the safety of patients, healthcare workers, and communities.

    Hand hygiene is one of the cornerstones of preventing healthcare-associated infections, a topic that is increasingly relevant across all clinical and care settings. International data confirm that proper hand hygiene can significantly reduce the spread of infections, thereby contributing to the safety and quality of healthcare.

    At the University of Parma’s Healthcare Master’s programs, education on hand hygiene is not merely a technical procedure but an act of ethical and professional responsibility. Correct implementation of hygiene practices requires knowledge, awareness, and a culture of prevention. Each year, the WHO’s “Save Lives: Clean Your Hands” initiative highlights the importance of adhering to hand hygiene guidelines, engaging healthcare facilities, universities, professionals, and students around the world.

    Graduates of the Healthcare Master’s programs are called upon to be active agents of change: promoters of proper behavior, educators within their professional environments, and advocates for a culture of safety. Because hand hygiene is not only an individual act—it is a collective commitment that begins with training and is reflected in daily practice.

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