Author/Authors :
Cunningham , C University of Cape Town Africa and AFEM Nurses Group, South Africa , Brysiewicz, P School of Nursing & Public Health - University of KwaZulu-Natal - South Africa and AFEM Nurses Group, South Africa , Sepeku, A Emergency Medicine Department - Muhimbili National Hospital - Dar es salaam, Tanzania , Sawe, H Emergency Medicine Department - Muhimbili National Hospital - Dar es salaam, Tanzania , White, L Emergency Medicine Association of Tanzania - Dar es salaam, Tanzania , Murray, B Emergency Medicine Department - Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania , Lobue , N Abbott Fund Tanzania - Dar es salaam, Tanzania
Abstract :
Nurses are the largest group of healthcare workers in Africa. By adequately equipping nurses to identify,
intervene and care for emergency conditions, emergency healthcare systems can be strengthened. To
address this need, a nursing working group was formed within the African Federation for Emergency
Medicine (AFEM). The aim of this international emergency nursing group was to develop a guiding doc-
ument to help improve emergency nursing skills within Africa. Using this guiding document, a group of
Tanzanian clinical nurse trainers was selected to develop a context specific short course. They used this
guiding document as a foundation to improve skill development. The pilot course was well received and
has since expanded to training in five regions within the United Republic of Tanzania. The clinical nurse
trainers leading the course, are supported by a mentorship programme with competent educators within
a global emergency nursing infrastructure. This course, a combination of local knowledge, formal men-
torship programs, and international nursing support, demonstrates that investing in the improvement
of emergency nursing skills can have high impact results with low-cost. This will ultimately improve
emergency care on the continent.
