eHealth at the International Council of Nurses
Prof. Nick Hardiker
Following a periodic review of work programmes at the International Council of Nurses (ICN), the ICN Board has reiterated its strong and enduring commitment to eHealth and to the International Classification of Nursing Practice (ICNP) in particular. ICN is currently revisiting its strategy for eHealth, and is seeking greater integration across ICN’s portfolio of initiatives to reflect the normalisation of eHealth within nursing practice worldwide. There have been some changes to personnel within the eHealth and ICNP programmes of work: Dr. Kay Jansen has stepped down to focus on new responsibilities within her host organisation and Dr. Claudia Bartz and Dr. Amy Coenen have retired after many years of service to ICN. Each of these scholars have made a significant contribution, not only to eHealth at ICN and to ICNP, but also to the broader international nursing informatics agenda, including the work of ACENDIO.
ICNP is released on a predictable 2-year cycle. The 2017 release of ICNP, which includes new content, will be launched at the next meeting of the consortium of ICN-accredited ICNP Research & Development Centres. This will be held as part of ICN Congress in Barcelona, Spain, 27 May-1 June 2017. There are plans also at ICN Congress to host an informal networking and sharing meeting for the ICN Telenursing Network. ICN has recommended for approval its newest accredited ICNP Research & Development Centre, the ‘Salutogenic Nursing (SUN) Research Programme’ which is hosted by the National University of Singapore, in collaboration with the Singapore Nurses Association.
Collaborative work continues with the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the emerging International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI), and ICN continues to work with SNOMED International on the harmonisation between ICNP and SNOMED CT, and Sabacare on the harmonisation between ICNP and Clinical Care Classification (CCC).
ICN remains committed to working with organisations such as ACENDIO to integrate and advance eHealth across nursing and wider healthcare in Europe and around the world.
