fbpx
RICHIEDI INFORMAZIONI REQUEST INFORMATION
  • Italiano
  • English
    • RICHIEDI INFORMAZIONI

    Tag: University of Parma

    INNOVATION IN INTERGENERATIONAL CARE MODELS

    Federica Sorrentino

    In a health and social care context increasingly shaped by population ageing, multiple vulnerabilities and complex care needs, intergenerational care models are emerging as effective approaches to promote integration, social cohesion and widespread well-being. These models aim not only to respond to the health needs of older adults, but also to build networks of relationships among different generations, healthcare services and communities, in order to support quality of life, social participation and continuity of care.

    Innovation in intergenerational care models is based on key elements such as:

    • co-design of services involving older adults, family members, caregivers and citizens;
    • integration between health and social care services and community services, fostering exchange and synergy across different levels of care;
    • relational and social support programmes;
    • personalised care approaches that value the life stories, skills and aspirations of the people receiving care.

    Experiences implemented in different contexts show how building broad and collaborative networks can reduce social isolation, improve the management of chronic conditions and strengthen community resources for health promotion. These models offer valuable insights not only for direct elderly care, but also for the social cohesion of entire communities.

    The Master in Healthcare programmes at the University of Parma address issues related to innovation in care pathways, with particular attention to dynamics involving diverse populations and integrated services. The analysis and design of intergenerational models are key features of the training programmes, providing students with the tools to understand, develop and evaluate integrated, sustainable and person-centred interventions.

    The ability to interpret emerging needs, engage with complex service networks and promote participatory processes represents a key competence for professionals who wish to contribute to the evolution of health and social care systems.

    “BEYOND THE WHITE COAT”: A NEW BOOK BY LEOPOLDO SARLI

    Federica Sorrentino

    “Beyond the White Coat” is the newly published book by Leopoldo Sarli, Professor Emeritus of Surgery at the University of Parma. The volume offers a broad and articulated reflection on the deeper meaning of caring, going beyond the purely technical dimension of the healthcare profession.

    The book weaves together experiences, contexts and perspectives, guiding readers along a journey that spans diverse places and situations: from highly specialized hospital settings to care contexts in areas of the world marked by social fragility, and from community services to spaces dedicated to education and research. Through this journey, health emerges as the result of an encounter between different bodies of knowledge, cultures, relationships and life experiences.

    Beyond the White Coat invites readers to rethink care as a process that does not end with the clinical act alone, but rather involves listening, sharing, responsibility and the construction of meaning. Healthcare practice is thus reinterpreted as a profoundly human and social experience, capable of generating knowledge, justice and awareness for both those who provide care and those who receive it. The volume aligns closely with the values that have long inspired the Master in Healthcare programmes, promoting a vision of education as a space for critical reflection, interdisciplinary dialogue and the development of competencies that bring together technical expertise, ethics and humanity.

    A book presentation event with the author is currently being planned and will offer students and professionals the opportunity to further explore the themes of the book and engage in direct dialogue with Leopoldo Sarli. Further details regarding the date and format of the event will be communicated soon.

    “Beyond the White Coat is a book that calls on all of us to look at healthcare in its most authentic dimension: the encounter between people, knowledge and responsibility. It is a valuable contribution for those involved in education and for those working in services, as it encourages the integration of professional competence and humanity, fully in line with the vision of the Master in Healthcare programmes”. — Antonio Bonacaro, President of the Master in Healthcare programmes, University of Parma

    INNOVATIVE TEACHING AWARD: RECOGNITION FOR ANTONIO BONACARO

    Federica Sorrentino

    The University of Parma celebrated the first edition of the Awards for the Development of Innovative Teaching during a ceremony held in the Aula Magna at the University’s main campus. The initiative, promoted by the University to recognize faculty members’ commitment to experimenting with new and meaningful teaching practices, awarded both individual projects and group proposals that introduced advanced educational methodologies aligned with students’ needs and the challenges of contemporary teaching.

    Among the individual award recipients is Antonio Bonacaro, President of the Master in Healthcare programmes at the University of Parma, recognized for his commitment to innovating teaching practices and for integrating active, participatory learning approaches aimed at building professional competencies.

    The awarding of this recognition reflects the University’s strong focus on teaching models capable of responding to the needs of advanced educational pathways and enhancing the learning experience for students. Within the Master in Healthcare programmes, educational innovation translates into a training offer that combines theory and practice, the use of educational technologies, Project Work and opportunities for professional dialogue, with the aim of developing high-level competencies. At a time when education for healthcare and social care professions is required to continuously evolve in response to transformations within the socio-healthcare system, the promotion of innovative teaching experiences represents a key factor in improving teaching effectiveness and the quality of acquired skills.

    In this context, it is worth noting that applications for the Master in Healthcare programmes at the University of Parma are open until January 30, offering the opportunity to enroll in highly specialized training pathways that combine advanced learning with practical skills for today’s and tomorrow’s healthcare system.

    “It is a true honor to have received this recognition, for which I am immensely grateful. This award for innovative teaching is not only a personal acknowledgment, but also a confirmation of the direction we want to give to the Master in Healthcare programmes: high-quality education, the development of skills applicable within healthcare and social services, and a continuous dialogue between academic knowledge and professional experience, fully aligned with the University’s strategic guidelines”. Antonio Bonacaro, President of the Master in Healthcare programmes – University of Parma

    THE SHOOTING OF ALEX PRETTI: SHOCK AND SOLIDARITY

    Federica Sorrentino

    The tragic shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse in Minneapolis, has caused shock and deep sadness, particularly within the professional nursing community. Pretti, known by family, colleagues and friends as a compassionate healthcare provider dedicated to patient care, was shot and killed by U.S. Border Patrol agents during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026.

    The incident occurred amid widespread protests against federal immigration enforcement actions and has heightened national tensions over the use of force by law enforcement. The shooting of Pretti has led to public outcry and renewed calls for transparency and accountability in how the events unfolded.

    As a nursing and health-care community, we are saddened and deeply affected by what happened. The nursing profession is founded on profound ethical values, including the protection of life, safeguarding the most vulnerable, and respect for human dignity. In moments of great sorrow such as this, we extend our solidarity to those affected and reaffirm the importance of conducting objective, transparent and thorough investigations so that the circumstances can be clearly understood.

    “As the community of the Master’s programmes in Healthcare at the University of Parma, we express our deepest sympathy to the individuals and families affected by this tragedy. We join in the call for truth and clarity, without any form of political instrumentalisation, in respect of human dignity and the ethical values that guide our profession.” – Antonio Bonacaro, President of the Master’s programmes in Healthcare

    THE ROLE OF THE CASE MANAGER IN CARE NETWORKS

    Federica Sorrentino

    In today’s social and healthcare services landscape, integration between hospital and community care and the effective management of care pathways represent one of the main challenges in ensuring continuity, quality, and appropriateness of care. In this context, the role of the Case Manager emerges as a key element in coordinating and supporting patients’ clinical and social pathways, promoting a person-centered approach focused on individual needs.

    The Case Manager operates across different care settings with the aim of facilitating continuity of care, reducing service fragmentation, and ensuring integrated management of complex needs. This professional figure acts as a link between different levels of care, contributing to the reduction of avoidable hospital admissions, the effective management of chronic conditions, and the promotion of personalized care pathways.

    The Case Manager role requires a combination of clinical, organizational, and relational competencies, including:

    • clinical skills to understand and interpret health needs;
    • coordination skills to organize complex interventions;
    • communication skills to encourage active participation of individuals in their own care pathways;
    • the ability to work within multidisciplinary teams, fostering cohesion among professionals from different sectors.

    The Master’s Programme in Case / Case Management in Hospital and Community Settings for Healthcare Professionals at the University of Parma responds precisely to the need to train professionals capable of undertaking this role with competence and strategic vision. The educational pathway integrates:

    • up-to-date theoretical knowledge on the dynamics of integrated care;
    • methodological tools for managing complex cases;
    • practical exercises, Project Work, and simulations that make the training immediately applicable in everyday service practice;
    • opportunities for dialogue and exchange with professionals and operational settings.

    Participating in the Master’s Programme means acquiring skills that are increasingly required by today’s care models, which are characterized by growing clinical complexity, service fragmentation, and the need for strong coordination between hospital and community care. In a social and healthcare system that is evolving toward increasingly integrated models of care, the Case Manager represents not only a functional response to care needs, but also a bridge between professions, contexts, and services.

    THE HEALTHCARE MASTER’S PROGRAMMES: AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD THE SKILLS OF THE FUTURE

    Federica Sorrentino

    Applications for the Healthcare Master’s programmes at the University of Parma are open until January 30. These advanced training pathways are designed to address the current and future challenges of the social and healthcare system. In a context marked by organisational transformation, technological innovation, the development of community-based care and the increasing complexity of health needs, investing in advanced education represents a strategic choice for healthcare professionals.

    The Healthcare Master’s programmes offer a multidisciplinary approach, combining solid theoretical foundations with project work, practical exercises, case studies and opportunities for discussion and exchange among faculty members, students and professionals. The curricula address key areas such as service management, leadership, research, patient safety, sustainability, organisational innovation and the development of transversal skills required to operate effectively in complex settings.

    Taking part in a Healthcare Master’s programme means joining a dynamic learning community, where dialogue between academic knowledge and professional experience supports both individual and collective growth. Participants have the opportunity to develop skills that can be immediately applied in practice, strengthen their analytical and decision-making abilities, and acquire tools to lead change within healthcare and social care organisations.

    With applications open until January 30, now is the time to invest in your professional pathway and actively contribute to the evolution of the healthcare system. The Healthcare Master’s programmes at the University of Parma represent a concrete opportunity for those who wish to expand their skills, take on new challenges and become key drivers of innovation in health and social care services.

    A YEAR OF TRAINING, DIALOGUE AND GROWTH: SEASON’S GREETINGS FROM THE MASTER PROGRAMS IN HEALTHCARE

    Federica Sorrentino

    As the end-of-year activities come to a close, the Master programs in Healthcare at the University of Parma take a moment to reflect on the journey just completed. It has been an intense and content-rich year, during which students, faculty and professionals engaged in dialogue on key issues shaping the present and future of the health and social care system.

    Throughout the year, the educational activities explored essential areas such as organizational innovation, scientific research, service management, continuing education, leadership, sustainability, patient safety and the transversal skills required to operate effectively in complex contexts. Lectures, Project Work, practical exercises and opportunities for discussion contributed to building a solid, multidisciplinary learning experience closely aligned with the realities of healthcare and social services. The Master programs in Healthcare thus confirm themselves as a space for both professional and personal growth, capable of integrating theory and practice and supporting participants in developing skills that are increasingly in demand in today’s health and social care landscape.

    On the occasion of the holiday season, the President and the entire Master in Healthcare team would like to extend their warm wishes for happy holidays and a peaceful New Year to students, faculty and professionals, with the hope that the coming year will bring new opportunities for learning, collaboration and innovation. Teaching activities will resume regularly starting from January 7. We look forward to continuing this journey of education and growth together.

    GREEN LEADERSHIP IN HEALTHCARE

    Federica Sorrentino

    Environmental sustainability is today one of the major challenges facing the health and social care system. Complex organizational structures, high resource consumption, waste production and highly intensive processes make healthcare a strategic sector for promoting more responsible development models. In this context, green leadership plays a central role: leading sustainable change means being able to combine quality of care, safety, efficiency and attention to environmental impact.

    Being a “green” leader in healthcare does not simply mean introducing technological solutions or adopting eco-friendly practices, but above all fostering an organizational culture oriented toward sustainability. Executives, coordinators and professionals with managerial responsibilities are called upon to integrate environmental considerations into decision-making processes, service planning, resource management and team engagement. Sustainability thus becomes a shared value, guiding everyday behaviors as well as medium- and long-term strategies.

    Green leadership is also expressed through the ability to understand the complexity of the health and social care context and to activate gradual and realistic changes: reducing waste, using resources responsibly, ensuring proper management of healthcare waste, digitalizing processes and redesigning care pathways with a focus on efficiency and sustainability. All these areas require managerial skills, coordination capabilities and a systemic vision of how healthcare organizations function.

    Within the Master in Healthcare, sustainability and green leadership are addressed in a cross-cutting manner, as an integral part of the skills needed to lead the services of the future. Training leaders capable of integrating sustainability, innovation and quality of care means investing in a more resilient healthcare system, attentive to people, communities and the environment.

    PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR HEALTHCARE

    Federica Sorrentino

    Contemporary healthcare is an ecosystem characterized by constant change: digitalization, reorganization of services, evolving community needs, and technological innovations all demand increasingly advanced management skills. In this context, project management represents a key competence for managers, coordinators, and healthcare professionals involved in designing and implementing complex services, processes, and interventions.

    Managing a healthcare project means combining strategic vision, structured methodologies, and organizational skills — always keeping service quality and patient safety at the center. For this reason, knowing and applying project-management tools enables teams to methodically tackle initiatives such as reorganizing a department, introducing new technologies, activating integrated care pathways, or launching training programs.

    Among the most used tools and approaches are:

    • Context and stakeholder analysis
    • Definition of objectives
    • Detailed activity planning
    • Digital scheduling tools
    • Risk management
    • Monitoring and evaluation

    Within the Healthcare Master’s programmes, these topics are addressed both theoretically and through practical exercises and case studies, providing students with an approach that is concrete and applicable to the real world of social and health services. The goal is to train professionals capable of leading complex projects, working in multidisciplinary teams, and promoting innovation within organizations.

    In a sector where every change has direct implications for people and communities, project management proves to be a strategic ally for making transformation possible, effective, and sustainable.

    INSIDE THE MASTER: TRAINING NEEDS ANALYSIS AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN HEALTHCARE

    Federica Sorrentino

    In the social and healthcare sector, training is not simply a regulatory requirement or a periodic update: it is a strategic tool that enables organisations to grow, innovate, and ensure high-quality care. Designing effective training pathways requires a structured approach capable of connecting real needs, professional competencies, and organisational goals.

    Within the Master’s Programme in “Training Strategies in the Social and Healthcare Sector: European Standards and Innovation”, the analysis of training needs and the development of competencies represents a fundamental pillar of the curriculum. Dedicated modules explore how to accurately identify areas for improvement, evaluate the impact of training, and guide professionals toward the acquisition of technical, relational, and organisational skills that can be effectively applied in practice.

    A key component of the programme is the shift from knowledge-based training to a competency-based approach: knowing how to act, how to collaborate, how to communicate. In an increasingly complex healthcare environment, where multidisciplinary teams work under pressure and in constant evolution, soft skills are no longer optional but essential. Teamwork, effective communication, group management, and the ability to navigate difficult situations are all elements that directly contribute to safety, care quality, and organisational wellbeing.

    Beyond theoretical frameworks, students engage with practical tools to assess training effectiveness and evaluate its real impact on processes and organisational performance. The goal is to promote a culture of continuous learning that goes beyond content delivery and instead generates value, skills, and professional development.

    This perspective, embedded across all Healthcare Master’s Programmes, aims to train professionals capable of designing, leading, and evaluating training within social and healthcare services—turning education into a true driver of change.

    HealthCareMaster
    Send on WhatsApp