ICN Global Nursing Leadership Institute Scholars attend workshop on digital health at WHO Regional Office for Europe
European scholars from the ICN Global Nursing Leadership Institute (GNLITM) 2021 cohort took part in a two-day workshop at the WHO Regional Office for Europe in Copenhagen, 4-5 April 2022, exploring the role of the nurse and midwife in the digital space.
On Day One of the intensive workshop, the scholars critically discussed the opportunities and challenges facing nurses and midwives in the digital space and drafted a shared vision to support nurses and midwives in shaping their role in leading and contributing to the inclusive digitalisation of healthcare. The scholars developed a deep understanding of the multifaceted digital challenges facing their professions by exploring the breadth of professional practice captured in the WHO Strategic Directions for Nurses and Midwives 2021-2025.
Day Two focused on three specific outputs, including the development of a statement to be presented to the WHO Regional Committee in September 2022. The scholars had the privilege of spending time with Margrieta Langins (Nursing and Midwifery Policy Advisor for WHO Europe) and Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat (Director, Division of Country Policies and Systems, WHO Europe), who supported the Scholars by contributing their expert advice and helping them to develop their plans.
Dr Vanessa Heaslip, a GNLI 2021 scholar from Bournemouth University, UK, said:
“It was wonderful to meet in person at the UN City, which houses the WHO Europe office, to build on the virtual meetings which had taken place over the past few months. From entering the WHO offices, we were struck by how welcoming our host Clayton Hamilton and his team were, as well as breadth of nursing expertise within the room which enabled us to simplify what is really a complex challenge. What became evident was the strength that the diversity of backgrounds brought to the group and we finished the day by developing a clear programme of action.”
As a result of this two-day workshop, the GNLI scholars will continue their programme of work, informed by ICN and WHO, to influence the future of nursing and midwifery in the digital space and progress in the development and implementation of the Regional Digital Health Action Plan for the WHO European Region.
The innovative and acclaimed ICN Global Nursing Leadership Institute (GNLI)™ is a strategic policy leadership programme focused on strengthening your political and policy understanding and influence. It is framed by nursing opportunities in a global movement committed to sustainable development and explores key themes that underpin the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
GNLI is supported by The Burdett Trust for Nursing.
ICN GNLI 2021 European scholars include:
João Gentil (Coimbra Nursing School Portugal); Dr Vanessa Heaslip (Bournemouth University UK); Dr Gillian Janes (Manchester Metropolitan University UK); Bente Lüdemann (Norwegian Nurses Organisation); Rolf-André Oxholm (Norwegian Nurses Organisation); Dr Natasha Phillips (NHSE UK); Prof Joanne Reid (Queens University NI); and Prof Michael Shannon (RCSI Ireland).
From WHO Regional Office for Europe:
Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat (Director Division of Country Policies and Systems); Finja Daegling (Consultant, Digital Health Flagship Programme); Clayton Hamilton (Regional Technical Officer, Digital Health Flagship Programme); Maggie Langins (Nursing and Health Policy Adviser); Dr David Novillo Ortiz (Regional Adviser, Data and Digital Health Unit) and Dr Tomas Zapata (Regional Adviser, Health Workforce and Service Delivery Unit).
Download the communique here