“Bringing Italian nursing research outside Italy, on an international scale, creating an important network at a global level and sealing in a more important way the synergy between our Cersi, Center of Excellence for Nursing Research and Development, established by Federation in this mandate, and the European and academic institutions”. Thus Barbara Mangiacavalli, president of the National Federation of Nursing Orders and Professions (Fnopi), speaking at the international conference ‘Challenges and priorities of the nursing profession in Europe and in the world’ promoted by Fnopi with the patronage of the Ministry of Health and with the participation of European representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO Europe), underway today in Rome at the Ministry Auditorium.
“In Italy we represent over 456 thousand nurses and pediatric nurses – recalls Mangiacavalli – and one of our main tasks is the issuing of the code of ethics. The current code is being revised to capture changes in recent years, such as the pandemic, the development of digital health, data privacy, big data management, and end-of-life issues. During this mandate – he specifies – we supported the creation of a research center of excellence, Cersi, for the development of nursing, which brings together Italian universities and already active centers of excellence. The federation supported the recruitment of 6 researchers to work in this center, and we hope to soon affiliate it with the WHO, which will allow us to bring the Italian healthcare point of view on an international scale”.
In the healthcare context, “important issues are faced – recalls the Fnopi president – such as the aging of the population and healthcare professionals, the increase in chronic diseases and the effects of the pandemic. Furthermore, Italy is experiencing a ‘demographic ice age’ which worries for the future of healthcare systems. According to Istat, in 2048 there will be twice as many deaths as births. This raises the need to reflect on the management of the healthcare system, also in relation to the healthcare workforce. In Italy there are approximately 398 thousand active nurses in service, with a growing average age. It is estimated that in the decade 2023-2033 there will be a significant exit of professionals who have reached the age limit, making it urgent to reflect on organizational models and the training of new resources”.
The Federation, “during this mandate – observes Mangiacavalli – decided to give a new impetus to the international side, re-establishing contacts and synergies with European institutions. For example, we have given new impetus to the role of our Chief Nursing Officer by formalizing the appointment of Alessandro Stievano, who brings a rich network of international relationships. We have also strengthened contacts with the WHO – he lists – discussing shortages of healthcare personnel, mental health of nurses, digital health, leadership and pay disparities. Furthermore, we have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop nursing research, creating synergies between Italy and Ireland, and collaborated with EuroHealthNet, an organization that deals with public health and prevention”.
These institutional contacts “allow us to continue our international commitment and strengthen the voice of the nursing profession at a European level. We are therefore working – he concludes – to translate international documents, make them available to all our members and strengthen connections with the European institutions, pursuing a political and institutional strategy that aims to improve the position of the Italian nursing profession in the global context”.
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