Brussels, Belgium – January 22, 2025
Dr. Tatiana Păduraru, Acting Head of the South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) Secretariat, participated as invited guest in the Erasmus Final Telenursing Conference hosted by the European Nursing Council (ENC) on January 22, 2025.
The event, held at Club de la Fondation Universitaire in the presence of ENC President Mr. Mircea Timofte, brought together healthcare leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss the future of digital and remote care.
The Final Telenursing Conference featured a wide range of participants, including representatives from key European networks, organizations, and global institutions. Delegates included officials from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG Santé), who shared insights on the EU’s Digital Health Action Plan and its role in driving remote care innovation.
Prominent European networks, such as the European Social Network (ESN), and national regulatory bodies like the French Regulatory Body for Nurses (ONI) and the Hellenic Regulatory Body, provided valuable perspectives on aligning policy frameworks and operational strategies for integrating telenursing into healthcare systems. Leaders from educational institutions, including the University of Thessaly, and organizations specializing in training and digital transformation shared their experiences in implementing telenursing platforms and programs.
As a distinguished panelist, Dr. Păduraru delivered a compelling address titled “The Role of Digital Health in SEEHN Member States,” emphasizing the vital role of telenursing in addressing regional healthcare challenges such as workforce shortages, access in rural areas, and overall system resilience.
“In rural and underserved areas across the SEEHN region, telenursing provides an innovative solution for delivering high-quality care. It enables nurses to conduct remote consultations, monitor chronic conditions, and educate patients, significantly improving access to healthcare,” Dr. Păduraru stated.
Key Points from Dr. Păduraru’s Intervention:
- Digital Health Transformation in SEEHN Member States: Dr. Păduraru highlighted the ongoing shift toward digital health solutions, emphasizing their potential to bridge gaps in healthcare delivery. She underscored the pivotal role of nurses and midwives, who are the backbone of healthcare systems in the region, in driving this transformation.
- Collaboration and Capacity Building: She stressed the importance of investing in workforce development, enhancing digital health literacy, and promoting cross-border knowledge exchange. Dr. Păduraru also highlighted the critical role of SEEHN’s RHDCs in fostering continuous professional development and regional collaboration.
- Leveraging Regional and EU Support: Dr. Păduraru called for stronger partnerships between SEEHN Member States, the European Union, and international stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of digital health solutions.
- Future Vision for Telenursing: Building on the outcomes of the Telenursing project, Dr. Păduraru proposed the creation of a regional platform to integrate training resources and improve care quality through digital tools. The action could be a potential starting point for regional collaboration for the RHDC on Nursing and Midwifery hosted by Romania.
The Final Telenursing Conference marked a significant milestone in the Erasmus+ project, offering actionable insights into how digital innovation can empower nurses and enhance healthcare systems. Dr. Păduraru commended the ENC and project partners for their efforts and reaffirmed SEEHN’s commitment to fostering regional collaboration and supporting digital health initiatives.
“Telenursing is more than a technological solution; it is a transformative tool for achieving more equitable and resilient healthcare systems across our region,” she concluded.
Dr. Păduraru further emphasized SEEHN’s role in orchestrating cross-border initiatives that transcend boundaries, with RHDCs fostering capacity building and workforce development. She reaffirmed SEEHN’s commitment to contributing to new policy directions and regional initiatives aimed at advancing healthcare through digital transformation.
