Master Archivi - HealthCareMaster HealthCareMaster

EMPOWERMENT AND ACTIVE CITIZEN PARTECIPATION

November 21, 2025 Federica Sorrentino

In today’s social and healthcare landscape, talking about “empowerment” does not simply mean involving citizens in decisions that concern them. It means rethinking how services, care pathways, and interventions are designed, evaluated, and improved. This represents a paradigm shift, moving citizens—together with caregivers, families, and communities—from the role of mere recipients to that of co-protagonists in care processes.

Co-design is based on the idea that real needs can fully emerge only when those who experience the service actively participate in its definition. This means including users and caregivers in structured listening sessions, workshops, focus groups, and design thinking activities. The logic is reversed: people are no longer asked to adapt to existing services; services are built starting from their everyday experiences.

For active participation to be possible, individuals must have the ability to understand information, evaluate it, and use it to make informed health decisions. Health literacy thus becomes a decisive element for empowerment. Promoting it means providing clearer information, more accessible materials, more understandable communication, and truly inclusive digital tools. It also means training professionals to communicate more effectively, using diverse approaches that match the skills and habits of the people they serve.

Apps, patient portals, telemonitoring tools, and messaging systems can encourage more immediate and continuous engagement. However, they are truly effective only when designed together with users. Technology should not replace the relationship; it should make it closer, more accessible, and more usable. The result is not just a “better service” but an entire culture of care that is more participatory and able to respond to the complexities of communities and the diversity of needs.

The Master’s Programmes in Healthcare at the University of Parma move precisely in this direction: training professionals capable of facilitating these processes, building meaningful relationships, and guiding innovation with a genuinely citizen-centered perspective.

INSIDE THE MASTER: FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

November 20, 2025 Federica Sorrentino

The transition toward an increasingly community-based healthcare system requires new models of relationships, participation, and co-responsibility. Within the training program of the Master’s in Family and Community Nursing and Integrated Care for Collective Health, significant attention is dedicated to the themes shaping the evolution of territorial healthcare. Among these, one of the lessons explored the role of family and community engagement as a key element for more participatory, effective, and person-centred care.

The focus was on the competencies of family and community nurses in facilitating participatory processes, supporting individuals in the conscious management of their health conditions, and promoting collaborative relationships among professionals, caregivers, local institutions, and community organizations. A strong emphasis emerged on shifting from “taking charge of the individual” to “taking charge of life contexts,” through interventions that integrate health education, family empowerment, wellbeing promotion, and the activation of community resources. Special attention was given to the co-design of care pathways, inclusive communication, and digital tools that enable active involvement of people.

The lesson offered participants a space for discussion enriched by real-life cases, innovative territorial experiences, and practical methodologies, reaffirming the role of family and community nursing as a pillar of future healthcare: a system that listens, connects, and creates value together with people.

THE COMMITMENT OF HEALTHCARE MASTER’S PROGRAMS TO WELCOMING AND SUPPORTING STUDENTS

November 14, 2025 Federica Sorrentino

In advanced training pathways, the quality of content is fundamental, but even more crucial is the way students are supported throughout their journey. In the Healthcare Master’s programs at the University of Parma, student-centeredness is a guiding principle – an active commitment expressed through attentive listening, ongoing support, and a constant presence.

To help prospective students make informed choices and provide all the necessary information about the training offer, informational seminars are organized for professionals and prospective candidates interested in learning about the structure, objectives, opportunities, and unique features of each Master’s program. These sessions serve as valuable moments of direct engagement, where participants can ask questions, address uncertainties, and explore the most relevant aspects of the educational pathway.

Once the Master’s program begins, student support continues through a dedicated and consistently available figure: the academic tutor. Each Master’s program includes a tutor who accompanies participants throughout the entire pathway. The tutor serves as a constant point of reference, fostering a positive, collaborative, and growth-oriented environment. The goal is to create a learning setting where no one feels alone, where the educational relationship values experience and promotes autonomy, without losing the human component that gives meaning to every learning journey.

The Healthcare Master’s programs thus reaffirm a training model based on quality, closeness, and care where expertise is cultivated through a direct and continuous relationship among students, tutors, and faculty. It is a commitment that makes a difference and supports every professional in building their future.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE NURSING ROLE: NEW SKILLS FOR A CHANGING HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE SYSTEM

November 13, 2025 Federica Sorrentino

In recent years, the health and social care system has undergone a profound transformation, driven by demographic, technological, and organizational changes that have redefined health needs and the ways in which care is delivered. In this context, the role of the nurse has become increasingly central, with a significant expansion of clinical, organizational, and interpersonal competencies.

Today, nurses are professionals capable of managing complex situations, making autonomous decisions, and working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams. Their work is no longer limited to technical execution but extends to needs assessment, care planning and coordination, health promotion, and disease prevention.

This expansion of skills responds to concrete challenges: the increase in chronic diseases, population aging, the growing demand for community and home-based care, the digitalization of healthcare processes, and the need to ensure safety, quality, and continuity of services. The nurse thus becomes a bridge between individuals, families, communities, and healthcare institutions.

Among the areas where these competencies find the greatest expression are chronic disease management, infection risk prevention, palliative care, community health, therapeutic education, and the training of healthcare professionals. In these fields, scientific expertise, leadership ability, and a systemic vision are essential elements.

From this perspective, the Healthcare Master’s programs at the University of Parma represent an outstanding educational platform for nurses who wish to strengthen their skills and contribute to the innovation of care models. Investing in nursing education means building a more efficient, humane, and people-centered health and social care system — one in which the nurse, equipped with advanced competencies, becomes a key agent of change and a promoter of a culture of care based on quality, equity, and innovation.

INTERNATIONALIZATION AND GLOBAL HEALTH EDUCATION

November 7, 2025 Federica Sorrentino

In an increasingly interconnected world, healthcare education must take on a truly global dimension. The challenges of modern health require professionals who can act with competence, cultural sensitivity, and an international outlook.

Academic mobility and cooperation among universities from different countries are strategic tools for building a global health community grounded in equity, solidarity, and innovation. Taking part in joint research projects or internships abroad means broadening one’s horizons, engaging with diverse organizational models, and learning to navigate the complexity of global social and healthcare contexts.

Today, international networks in healthcare education foster not only the sharing of technical knowledge but also the development of intercultural soft skills—essential for ensuring person-centered and diversity-respectful care. Global health education thus promotes a new kind of professional: one capable of integrating scientific knowledge with social awareness, leadership with collaboration, and local responsibility with a planetary vision.

From this perspective, the Healthcare Master’s programs at the University of Parma represent an educational model fully integrated into the international landscape. Through academic partnerships, university cooperation projects, visiting professors, and English-taught courses, the Master’s programs offer participants the opportunity to experience genuinely global learning.

Studying in the Healthcare Master’s programs therefore means becoming part of a network of professionals, institutions, and educators who believe in health as a universal good—building, day by day, a culture of care that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries.

INPS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HEALTHCARE MASTER’S PROGRAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PARMA: APPLICATIONS OPEN UNTIL NOVEMBER 18, 2025

November 3, 2025 Federica Sorrentino

The INPS “Executive University Master’s Degrees A.Y. 2025/2026” call for applications is now online, offering scholarships at the national level.

The Healthcare Master’s programs at the University of Parma are among the eligible courses, providing public sector employees with an important opportunity to pursue postgraduate education with dedicated financial support. The call is open to employees of the Public Administration enrolled in the Unified Management of Credit and Social Benefits scheme. Applications must be submitted exclusively online via the INPS platform by 12:00 p.m. on November 18, 2025. INPS will publish the national ranking list on December 19, 2025.

Enrollment in the Healthcare Master’s programs will remain open until 12:00 p.m. on January 30, 2026.
For all details and to access the full text of the INPS call for applications, please visit the following link.

This is a valuable opportunity to invest in your professional development and access high-quality educational programs that combine innovation, research, and skills advancement in the healthcare sector.

TRAINING, COOPERATION AND INTERNATIONALIZATION: THE UNIVERSITY OF PARMA IN A CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN THE HEALTHCARE FIELD

October 29, 2025 Federica Sorrentino

A major curriculum development project has recently concluded at the Catholic University of Rwanda and the Institute of Applied Technology INES Ruhengeri, with the University of Parma playing a leading role through CUCI – the University Centre for International Cooperation – and its Healthcare Master’s programs. The initiative, which lasted two weeks (one week at each institution), was part of the academic cooperation activities promoted by CUCI and represented a significant step forward in building shared educational pathways and promoting the quality of nursing education at the international level.

The project involved students, faculty, and administrative staff from the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Catholic University of Rwanda in activities of professional development and joint curriculum design for the courses in Medical Surgical Nursing, Health Measurements, and Nursing Research. The training sessions, led by Professor Antonio Bonacaro and Dr. Mauro Parozzi, fostered an intense exchange of experiences, teaching methodologies, and cultural perspectives, laying the foundation for long-term collaboration between the two institutions.

The initiative is part of the broader framework of the ACHIEVE-IT and UNITAFRICA international programs, supported by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) through the Next Generation EU initiative. These programs aim to build bridges of knowledge between European and African universities. Their shared goal is to make higher education a space of equity, innovation, and global responsibility.

The project in Rwanda highlighted how international health education can serve as a tool for mutual growth, combining academic expertise, social commitment, and intercultural sensitivity. The enthusiasm of students, the collaboration of colleagues, and the warm hospitality received made this experience a shining example of how university cooperation can translate into sustainable development and enhancement of local human capital.

As Professor Antonio Bonacaro, Head of the Healthcare Master’s Programs at the University of Parma, emphasized: “This experience shows that academic cooperation is not just an exchange of knowledge, but a meeting of people, cultures, and visions. Building international educational pathways together means contributing to the growth of a more equitable, competent, and humane global healthcare system”.

EUROPEAN RESEARCHERS’ NIGHT 2025: HEALTHCARE MASTER’S PROGRAMMES TAKE CENTER STAGE WITH ACTIVITIES ON RESUSCITATION AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

October 22, 2025 Federica Sorrentino

Great participation and interest marked the presence of the University of Parma’s Master’s Programs in Healthcare at the 2025 European Researchers’ Night, held on September 26.
The event, promoted by the University of Parma in collaboration with the Municipality of Parma and IMEM-CNR, transformed the city into an open-air laboratory, filled with activities, experiments, and demonstrations designed to bring people of all ages closer to the world of scientific research.

Among the initiatives organized by the Healthcare Master’s Programs, coordinated by Professor Antonio Bonacaro, two high-impact educational and outreach experiences stood out:
• A workshop on artificial intelligence applied to healthcare contexts, led by Dr. Mauro Carozzi, offered participants an opportunity to reflect on the potential and limitations of AI in clinical practice and training.
• A cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) marathon, led by Dr. Maria Bertuol, Dr. Pasquale Di Fronzo, and Dr. Mirko Zani, served as an important learning opportunity to raise awareness about basic life support techniques.

The CPR marathon attracted great curiosity and engagement: guided by experts, participants practiced chest compressions on training manikins in a simulated cardiac arrest scenario, gaining a firsthand understanding of how crucial timely intervention can be in emergency situations.
Twenty minutes was the longest uninterrupted CPR session recorded — and, considering average ambulance response times, the team symbolically “saved a life” together! As the organizers explained, “Our main goal was to spread basic knowledge about resuscitation and raise awareness of the importance of taking action. The response was extraordinary: a constant flow of people, enthusiasm, and active participation.”

The experience highlighted the crucial role of healthcare education and scientific outreach in building an informed and engaged community.
Once again, the University of Parma’s Master’s Programs in Healthcare reaffirm their commitment to promoting a culture of health, innovation, and social responsibility through educational experiences open to everyone.

TRAINING STRATEGIES IN THE SOCIAL AND HEALTHCARE SECTOR: INNOVATING EDUCATION TO TACKLE TODAY’S CHALLENGES

October 17, 2025 Federica Sorrentino

The Second-Level Master’s Degree in Training Strategies in the Social and Healthcare Sector: European Standards and Innovation, part of the Healthcare Master’s Programs offered by the University of Parma, is designed for professionals who aspire to take on roles of leadership, coordination, or educational design within the training field, enhancing skills that combine educational innovation, academic rigor, and a European perspective.

The program focuses on the development of innovative educational pathways capable of meeting the real needs of social and healthcare contexts. It includes the use of modern teaching methodologies (such as blended learning, distance education, simulations, and case studies), tools for assessing and improving training quality, techniques for coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and effective communication skills for engaging with all stakeholders, including students and institutions. The internship and project work components offer participants the opportunity to apply their learning in real-world settings, within affiliated hospital, community, or academic institutions.

The course will begin in March 2026, last 13 months, and award 60 ECTS credits. A total of 50 places are available. Applications are now open, and the deadline for submission is January 30, 2026, at 12:00 PM.

THE UNIVERSITY OF PARMA HOSTS THE FINE 2026 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

October 16, 2025 Federica Sorrentino

The Healthcare Master’s Programs of the University of Parma are pleased to announce that the University will host the FINE 2026 International Conference, titled “Strengthening Nursing Education for a Safer Tomorrow”, which will take place on March 5–6, 2026, at the University of Parma, Via Università 12.

Promoted by the European Federation of Educators in Nursing Science (FINE) in collaboration with the University of Parma, the event represents the leading biennial international meeting dedicated to nursing education. The conference will bring together educators, researchers, and professionals from European and non-European universities and academic institutions, offering a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas on the most current topics in healthcare teaching and leadership.

Chaired by Prof. Antonio Bonacaro, Head of the Healthcare Master’s Programs and President of the Conference’s Scientific Committee, the event aims to promote innovative teaching strategies, strengthen international cooperation, and foster the development of European policies for advanced, integrated, and safe nursing education.

The call for abstracts is now open, inviting scientific contributions and critical reflections in the following thematic areas (abstracts may be submitted in English, French, or Italian, thanks to a simultaneous translation system):

Governance, leadership, and professional identity in nursing education
Curriculum development, quality, and teaching innovation
Interprofessional education and transversal competencies
Humanistic, cultural, and psycho-spiritual dimensions of teaching and learning

Participation in FINE 2026 represents a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement of European nursing education, sharing experiences, projects, and visions for the future of healthcare education.

For information, registration, and abstract submission, CLICK HERE.

As Prof. Antonio Bonacaro highlights: “Hosting FINE 2026 in Parma is a great honor and an extraordinary opportunity to foster international dialogue and the growth of nursing education. It is a moment of sharing, innovation, and collaboration that strengthens our commitment to a healthcare future that is increasingly safe, equitable, and global”.

Webinar Master in Healthcare

Presentazione offerta formativa Università di Parma