Sept. 7, 2016 Europe Practice

Advancing nursing roles to improve disease prevention services in Samara, Russian Federation

Polyclinic 15 led an initiative to expand health promotion and disease prevention services by advancing nursing roles. Nurses now independently care for lower-risk patients, perform screenings and deliver health education; expanding nurses’ scope of practice helped to overcome physicians’ capacity barriers. Physicians now report having more time for high-risk patients; continuous training, backed by supportive legislation and incentives, helped to institutionalize new practices; international partnerships supported the transfer of knowledge and advancement of nursing; health education helped empower patients to self-manage their conditions and adopt lifestyle changes.

Sept. 7, 2016 Europe Practice

Integrating health and social care in San Marino

In 2004, the Government of San Marino began the process of integrating the health and social care system to improve care coordination and efficiency, and published the first social-health plan in 2006 to help guide change; health and social care reforms reinforced already widespread informal practices in service delivery and nurtured the existing spirit of mutual respect, collaboration and effective communication; familiarity and close professional relationships across health and social care sectors were integral to the development of the initiative; integration of management structures at the system level provided a strong platform from which to drive integration at the service delivery level; a focus on peer-led multidisciplinary education and trainings provided professionals with improved knowledge of each other’s disciplines and fostered mutual respect.