The intensive in-person week of the international BIP – Blended Intensive Programmes Erasmus+ – dedicated to digital transformation in healthcare and social care settings, was successfully concluded a few days ago at the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki, Finland.
The initiative saw the active participation of the Nursing Degree Programme of the University of Parma, together with a network of esteemed European partner institutions: Metropolia University of Applied Sciences (Finland), Escola Superior Politécnico de Setúbal (Portugal), L-Università ta’ Malta (Malta), Tallinn Health Care College (Estonia), and Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (Germany).
The educational project, entitled “Digital Transformation in Nursing and Health Care”, involved ten nursing students and two academic tutors from the University of Parma in a highly intensive and innovative learning experience, conducted entirely in English. The programme was designed to strengthen theoretical and operational knowledge in the field of healthcare digitalisation, while encouraging critical reflection on the ethical, organisational, and professional implications associated with this transition.
Participants engaged in a wide array of activities, including lectures, interactive seminars, collaborative workshops, and international group work, addressing key contemporary topics such as:
- the integration of artificial intelligence and robotics in nursing practice;
- the collection, management, and interpretation of clinical data through digital tools;
- the development of specific competencies in telenursing as an emerging and complementary modality for delivering remote care;
- the safeguarding of privacy and cybersecurity in digital healthcare platforms.
The experience also contributed to the development of numerous transversal skills among students, such as critical thinking, digital literacy, clinical decision-making, intercultural communication, and effective team collaboration in dynamic and multicultural environments.
This international mobility initiative represented a significant opportunity for academic and professional growth for both students and faculty, reinforcing the internationalisation strategy of the Nursing Degree Programme and promoting the adoption of cutting-edge educational models.
Professor Antonio Bonacaro, academic lead for the project, stated:
“The BIP programme has once again demonstrated its strategic importance within the framework of European academic cooperation. It plays a crucial role in preparing future healthcare professionals to navigate the complexities of the digital transition in healthcare settings with competence and adaptability.”
