EDITORIAL
Strategies and challenges for Nursing in Nephrology within the scenery of globalization
At a moment when countless challenges seem to flood Nephrology with obstacles, the World Congress of Nephrology Nursing, held in Rio de Janeiro from April 22 to April 25/2007 by the Brazilian Nursing in Nephrology Association, represents a contribution to the joined efforts towards high-quality, increasingly better assistance to prevent and treat kidney disease.
Among its goals, it aimed to provide new routes related to public policies in this area to several countries that may face similar problems.
In face of the global pandemic of Chronic Kidney Insufficiency, the role of the universities and the associations of specialists is essential for the education and formation of human resources capable of accommodating this demand, as well as providing the exchange of experiences, internationalization included, which will bring considerable improvements to the quality of healthcare assistance.
Therefore, the composition of this special issue of Acta Paulista de Enfermagem, containing studies presented in the World Congress of Nephrology Nursing, is another strategy in order to publicize the knowledge produced within the area, reinforcing the nurses' commitment with the improvement of the quality of nursing healthcare in this specialty.
The organizer of the event, The Brazilian Association of Nephrology Nursing (SOBEN), was founded in 1984. It is an institution with scientific, cultural and political goals, aiming to develop Nephrology Nursing in Brazil.
For the education and formation of human resources, SOBEN has invested heavily in Continuous Education, now made easier because of the information technology, which allows the institution to have articles and lectures available on its website (www.soben.org.br), and also to provide permanent opportunities for its associates to update their knowledge.
Besides, we have offered the Online Nephromodules specific content on the area facilitating access to material for those who wish to attain a title of specialist or licenses to perform the duties of the profession.
Regarding internationalization, SOBEN keeps close ties with Societies of Nephrology Nursing in Latin America, North America and the European Union, which opened doors for the capacitation of personnel and the establishment of partnerships in research projects so that the kidney patient could reap such benefits.
However, there is a long way to go...
Here in Brazil, nearly 25% of the patients die before starting dialysis.
What should be done in face of such calamity? One of the actions would be restructuring the Nursing undergraduate curriculum, focusing on the early diagnostic of the disease and international interchange programs among the professionals, since there are Nephrology Services in several countries, including Brazil, that are internationally considered excellent. The studies presented in the World Congress of Nephrology Nursing may contribute greatly for the attainment of these two large-scale goals: internationalization and formation of human resources.
The Scientifical and Organization Committee, composed of renowned researchers, conceived a rich program with relevant themes, approaching advances of the knowledge in Nursing Nephrology, from the basic areas up to the clinic, focusing on conservative, dialytical and kidney transplantation treatments. The educational component, developed through conferences and symposiums, presented a broad variety of topics of interest for the specialty, with well-known personalities of the world of nephrology providing an excellent opportunity for reflection and scientific updating.
We believe that this Congress was a historical landmark and will remain in the memory of every participant as an opportunity to exchange experiences among colleagues of several countries. Also, as the possibility of participating in decisions on how Nephrology Nursing should be conducted in a globalized environment.
The goals and challenges of the Associations present at the event are surely similar: to constantly strive for the nurses to care for the kidney patients under the light of scientific evidence, so that they may fulfill the requirements of their profession, being guided by the Systematization of Nursing Assistance, and to never stop ethically performing their duties, while committed to help human beings.
Professor Doctor Dulce Aparecida Barbosa
President of the World Congress of Nephrology Nursing and the Brazilian Association of Nephrology Nursing
Professor Doctor Angélica Gonçalves Silva Belasco
Coordinator of Courses and Events of the Brazilian Association of Nephrology Nursing
Publication Dates
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Publication in this collection
23 June 2008 -
Date of issue
2008
