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New tuberculosis e-course from ICN will help build global capacity

Berlin, Germany, Geneva, Switzerland, 10 November 2010 - The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is delighted to announce a new interactive e-learning course on the care, prevention and management of tuberculosis (TB) and drug-resistant TB.  The new course, produced in collaboration with City University London, will be showcased at the World Lung Health Conference in Berlin, 11-15 November 2010.  It can be accessed at www.icn.ch/projects/tb-online-learning-resources/ .

Care, prevention and management of tuberculosis  provides practical online tools to nurses and those involved in caring for patients, families and communities affected by TB, including drug-resistant TB. The course is widely applicable for all settings, while also dealing with the challenges of providing care when resources are scarce and the workload is high.

Building on success in delivering TB training for trainers (TOT) in 13 countries with high levels of TB and MDR-TB, ICN is extending its reach using the internet and CD Rom as platforms for building capacity, offering worldwide access to nurses and other health care professionals. The course has a particular emphasis on providing good quality patient-centred care in practice and is relevant to those wanting to update their knowledge as well as to experienced nurses working routinely with those affected by TB.

What makes this different from other e-learning TB products?

·         The information is patient-centred and is presented according to the given stage of their diagnosis and treatment.

·         It focuses on practical implementation of best practices for patient care, based on accepted global guidelines for the management of TB and MDR-TB.

·         The methodology encourages problem-solving, allowing students to assess in detail any gaps in resources and professional practice in order to improve patient care.

·         Material is developed by nurses to address the work situation of nurses in low-income countries and based on ICN training materials and the Union’s Best Practice for the care of Patients with TB.

This first version of the course is open to feedback from users/reviewers. The Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia will test the course with undergraduate and masters students using their new computer lab.

The ICN e-learning interactive course on the care, prevention and management of tuberculosis (TB) and drug-resistant TB is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Eli Lilly.

Editor’s note

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a federation of more than 130 national nurses associations representing the millions of nurses worldwide. Operated by nurses and leading nursing internationally, ICN works to ensure quality care for all and sound health policies globally.

The City University London’s School of Community and Health Sciences is dedicated to the education and development of health professionals; the School offers excellent academic tuition with superb in-house skills and simulation facilities, combined with challenging placements in one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world.