The International Council of Nurses will hold its 24th Quadrennial Congress, “Leading Change: Building Healthier Nations,” from June 19 to June 25, 2009 in Durban, South Africa. ICN Members and colleagues are invited to submit abstracts now. The deadline for abstracts submission is midnight GMT, September, 15, 2008. Call for Abstracts, General information, Speakers Corner and more information is available in English, Français, and Español, on the ICN Congress website.
Abstract sub-themes:
1. The nursing workforce and workplace
What retention strategies ensure an effective workforce?
What skill pool is required for quality care?
What is the impact of positive practice environments?
How does the global international labour market affect the health of nations?
2. Pandemics/disasters
What is the role of nurses in disaster preparedness and relief efforts?
What competencies are specifically needed in disaster nursing?
How do we screen and deploy disaster nurses effectively?
What protective measures are required by relief workers?
3. Ethics/human rights
Do human rights provide the framework for equitable care?
What ethical dilemmas exist in building healthier nations?
4. Clinical care and patient safety
What innovations in clinical practice support better patient outcomes?
What is the link between positive practice environments and patient safety?
Should our health goals reach beyond safety?
5. Nursing education and the learning environment
Where are the service/education gaps and how are they addressed?
Will healthier nations depend on innovative learning environments?
Will nursing education become articulated to meet the nursing continuum skill and knowledge needs?
6. Advocacy, lobbying and legislation
How do nurses lead change?
What is the role of legislation in building healthy nations?
How can the media be enlisted to promote healthier nations?
What alliances can be generated to promote health?
7. Care systems
How are care systems evolving to meet changing needs?
What happens at the interface between the health and social sectors?
8. Technology, innovations and informatics
How does technology serve building health nations?
What have innovations brought to health care?
How can computers and software serve nurses and nursing?
9. Leadership – management
What competencies are needed by our nurse managers?
Are they different from the abilities of true leaders?
Where and how does nursing leadership develop?
10. Regulation
What is the role of professional regulation in building healthier nations?
How can accreditation systems benefit the patient?
How is the focus on competencies changing the health sector?
