The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) participated in the Congress of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) 2019, which was held in Singapore from June 27 – July 1, 2019.
Emirati nursing professionals submitting ten research papers. MoHAP contributed six out of these ten research papers. The research papers were approved by the Congress’s Supreme Committee.
The research papers have tackled vital topics and studies including;
Strengthening nursing leadership: One way to influence Health Policy, Job satisfaction among nurses at the primary health care centers, Mothers’ awareness of the impact of technology on children’s health, Integration of the family-centered care with children’s healthcare plan, The impact of identifying the learner’s preferred education pattern on the orientation of nursing-related career development programs, and Knowledge and practices of type 2 diabetes to prevent complications.
Enhancing Nursing Knowledge
Dr. Sumaya Al Balushi, Director of Nursing Department, MoHAP, pointed out that the ICN Congress presents an important opportunity for nurses to take part in showcasing research, as well as spreading relevant nursing and health knowledge. This enhances the knowledge of the nursing professionals.
Al Balushi noted that the UAE will host this International congress in 2021, which is considered a valuable opportunity for nurses in the UAE to build partnerships with nurses worldwide.
Nursing as a essential profession in the UAE
“The participation in these specialized global forums improves the knowledge, skills and competencies of Emirati Nurses and boost the national initiative for enhancing the attractiveness of the nursing profession, in line with the requirements of the UAE National Agenda. Participation in international conferences enhance integrating of the nursing profession with other health professionals, contributes to building national health policies, and place nurses in a key position to contribute to the “universal health coverage,” an initiative of the WHO added Al Balushi.
“The research presented at the Congress are focusing on exploring the future development of nursing care services which enhances nursing / midwifery profession and increases the profession’s readiness for their contribution to the strategic changes required for healthcare systems, in the UAE” she noted.
Strengthening Nursing Leaders and enhancing job satisfaction
The research papers, entitled:
Strengthening nursing leadership: One way to influence Health Policy
”Reviewed the UAE’s initiatives to support nursing leaders and to enable nurses to play a key role in developing and influencing health policies.
While the research paper “job satisfaction among nurses at the primary health care centers in Ras Al Khaimah” provided significant information about internal and external factors related to the level of satisfaction among nursing professionals. In addition to some recommendations including the importance of decision-makers’ commitment to developing plans and policies that would retain nurses and increase their job satisfaction.
The Impact of Education Pattern on Moving Towards the Nursing Profession
Another study focused on the impact of identifying the learner’s preferred education pattern on the orientation of nursing-related career development programs, as well as the impact of education pattern on the clinical performance of the nursing staff at 14 hospitals in the Middle East. Additionally, the study shed light on the hurdles facing nursing staff in the event of applying their preferred education pattern to the detriment of the approved protocol.
A second study discussed the role of awareness in preventing complications resulting from type 2 diabetes and the need to increase health education measures to educate patients about the prevention of complications to enhance quality and lifestyle.
In the same context, the UAE’s delegation showcased a study on “Mothers’ awareness of technology’s impact on children’s health in Ras Al Khaimah”. The study highlighted the impact of smart devices on social and mental health of children, in addition to physical health problems such as headache, eye disease, and hands, back and shoulder pain, and the role of educated mothers in dealing with this challenge.
In another research, the concepts and practices of children's health care providers on the central role of the family in the life of the child, and in the provision of care, and integration of family-centered care with children’s healthcare plan were evaluated at Sheikh Khalifa Hospital – Women and Children in Ajman.