A European curriculum for nurses working in haemophilia

Abstract

Introduction: Currently, there is no consensus on education required to develop haemophilia nursing. The aim was to develop a curriculum for haemophilia nurses that could be used as a resource in Europe. This could form a basis for continuous professional development and used in the preparation of specialized educational programmes.

Methods: The EAHAD nurses working group set out to describe the skills and knowledge needed for a nurse to work in this specialty. This was considered at two levels: basic requirements and at a more advanced level. The working group acted as a focus group for this project drawing on existing specialist training, national role definitions, competencies and results of the EAHAD Nurses survey (2012). A template was populated with the knowledge base and the skills required.

Results: Themes were analysed and information generated organized into domains: content of curriculum; learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills, behaviour and attitudes; and suggestions for teaching methods. For curriculum content the following domains were identified: Applied biological science; treatment and management of haemophilia and associated disorders; genetic practice; care management of affected carriers and women; the impact of living with bleeding disorders; evidence base and applied research in haemophilia practice; and, the specialist role of the haemophilia nurse. Examples are given for teaching and learning process.

Conclusion: This curriculum is intended for use as a strategic resource to outline education for the haemophilia nurse and contribute to the standardization and benchmarking of haemophilia nursing care and thus to improvement in the quality of patient care.

Keywords: comprehensive care; curriculum; education; haemophilia; nurse; staff.