Sophia Antipolis 14 May 2015. The cardiovascular nursing event of the year is heading south to Croatia. EuroHeartCare is the official annual meeting of the Association of Cardiovascular Nursing & Allied Professions (ACNAP) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). The 2015 meeting is held in collaboration with the Croatian Association of Cardiology Nurses.
More than 300 abstracts were submitted which is an all time record. The two day congress is set to host over 500 nurses and allied professionals from around 40 countries. Cutting edge programmes and research will be presented by international speakers on topics including how genes contribute to coronary artery disease, increased cholesterol and hypertension.
Dr Glenys Hamilton, congress coordinator, said: “Nurses now play a role in cardiogenetics and some are actively engaged in the clinical care of patients and families with a wide variety of heritable conditions. Journalists will discover the most up to date research and practice in the screening, diagnosis and treatment of hereditary heart diseases.”
A debate will be held on the very real and controversial topic of psychological distress. Experts will give their arguments on the pros and cons of screening patients and delegates will be encouraged to contribute their views. Journalists will get both sides of the story in a lively discussion which highlights the potential outcomes of screening.
There will be a stronger focus on clinical skills. Dr Hamilton said: “Communication between nurses, patients and families is paramount to nurses. Sessions will address communicating cardiovascular risk, patients’ understanding of their diagnosis, how to break bad news, pain management after surgery, and motivational interviewing.”
The congress theme is “Guidelines: Care to implement”. The ACNAP Guidelines toolkit will be launched to increase nurses’ awareness of their role in guideline implementation. The toolkit includes a collection of filmed scenarios showing how nurses can use guidelines in their daily practice. The films have been recorded in English and in future will have subtitles in a number of languages.
Dr Jennings said: “Nurses can act as advocates for their patients and ensure that they receive evidence based care. The toolkit aims to empower nurses to take on this role.”
The congress will be held 14-15 June in Dubrovnik, Croatia, at the Valamar Lacroma Dubrovnik Hotel. The entire programme will be translated from English to Croatian making all the science accessible for journalists from Croatia and neighbouring countries. The scientific programme is available here.
Dr Hamilton said: “Going to southern Europe is a first for EuroHeartCare. We hope that the congress will help nurse leaders in the Balkans jump start cardiovascular nursing programmes within university settings as these are lacking in many countries. Many Croatian healthcare professionals have been included in the programme including roles as speakers and co-chairing sessions.”
She added: “Another first is interpretation of the entire programme from English to Croatian. We hope this will attract nurses, allied professionals and journalists from Croatia and neighbouring countries including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Slovenia, and Albania.”
Dr Catriona Jennings, chairperson of ACNAP, said: “Taking EuroHeartCare to a southern European country extends our reach beyond northern Europe and aims to raise the profile of nurses and allied professions, extending their skills and promoting excellence in cardiovascular care throughout Europe. Journalists from the Balkans and beyond who attend the congress will hear first-hand the latest developments in cardiovascular nursing research and care.”
Dr Hamilton concluded: “This year’s congress promises to be full of up-to-the minute advances in cardiovascular nursing research and practice. Journalists should save the date and take part in the action.”
ENDS
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