New network developes health care education internationally

The goal is to support learning and development of students in becoming qualified health care professionals and to strengthen the professional development of faculty in higher health care education. Further, the overall purpose of this network is to share experiences and knowledge between the participating organisations to allow for the development of evidence-based teaching practices.

The network encompasses nine international higher education institutions (HEIs) with different programs in health care education. It plans to have three administrative meetings on site and online meetings twice every semester, during the years 2019-2020, in order to plan and share innovations and ideas for future activities, focusing student and faculty exchange opportunities, joint courses and seminars.

These shared experiences will enhance professional confidence and broaden knowledge and awareness of cultural strengths and differences from student and faculty perspectives. In addition, international conferences aimed towards health care education its challenges and implications for meeting global health care challenges will be arranged every third year.

The network has received initial NordPlus funding for the period May 2019 to September 2020. We will apply for additional funding to enable inclusion of universities from Denmark, Iceland, Latvia and Lithuania.

Coordinating institution: Nord University Bodö Norway

Contact persons
Name: Yvonne Hilli
E-mail: yvonne.hilli(ät)nord.no

Name:Johanne Alteren
E-mail: Johanne.alteren(ät)nord.no

Partner institutions
Department of Care Science, Malmö University (SE)
Contact person: Elisabeth Carlson
E-mail: elisabeth.carlson(ät)mau.se

Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås (SE)
Contact person: Ann-Helén Sandvik
E-mail: ann-helen.sandvik(ät)hb.se

Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tampere (FI)
Contact person: Meeri Koivula
E-mail: meeri.koivula(ät)tuni.fi

Chair of Nursing, Tallinn Health Care College (EE)
Contact person: Merle Talvik
E-mail: merle.talvik(ät)ttk.ee

Northern Wellbeing and Services, Lapland University of Applied Sciences (FI)
Contact person: Sirkka Saranki-Rantakokko
E-mail: sirkka.saranki-rantakokko(ät)lapinamk.fi

Department of Health Sciences,University West (SE)
Contact person: Maria Skyvell-Nilsson
E-mail: maria.skyvell-nilsson(ät)hv.se

Department of Health, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (NO-HVL)
Contact person: Thorkildsen, Kari Marie
E-mail: kari.marie.thorkildsen(ät)hvl.no

Faculty of Education and Welfare studies, Åbo Akademi University, Vaasa (FI)
Contact person: Koskinen, Monika
E-mail: monika.koskinen(ät)abo.fi