6 July, 2018

barnaclínic+ enhances the training of the Clínic’s nursing professionals with the Sabàtics scholarships

A few weeks ago, at the commemorative event marking International Nurses’ Day, the Sabàtics scholarships for training abroad for Hospital Clínic de Barcelona nursing professionals were handed out. Once again this year, the Hospital Clínic Group has offered its nursing professionals the possibility to train all over the world and/or to delve further into their research activity, thanks to these scholarships funded by barnaclínic+.

What are the Sabàtics scholarships?

The Sabàtics scholarships are an initiative of the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona Nursing Department, ​​which aims to improve the centre’s healthcare activity through training and enhancing the research of nursing professionals. These scholarships, from a minimum of 3 months to a maximum of 6 months, are funded by barnaclínic+, which makes these resources available to a group of professionals chosen according to a series of criteria, with the aim of maintaining the professional excellence and reference characteristic of the Hospital Clínic Group.

What do the scholarship holders think?

At the handing out of the Sabàtics scholarships and the presentation of the new edition, we spoke with three nursing professionals who have benefited from and will benefit from these scholarships this year. Gemma Riba, ICGON midwife, with a 3-month scholarship in New York, USA; Miguel Sanz, ICMDM Care Coordinator, 4-month scholarship at Cardiff & Vale University Health Board, UK; and Jesús Gutiérrez, ICN Nurse, who has received the first research scholarship for nursing at the Hospital Clínic itself. These three scholarship holders tell us what the experience has been like for them, underline the importance of continuing to run such initiatives and thank and highlight the role of barnaclínic+ in the achievement of the Sabàtics scholarships.

What has this scholarship meant to you? How do you value the experience?

Gemma Riba: Taking part in the Sabàtics scholarship has given me the opportunity to deepen my knowledge of breastfeeding and to get to know multiple support resources and effective interventions in improving maternal and child care. In addition, the contact with such a range of socially and culturally diverse people, which is involved in the experience abroad, has an enriching quality on both a personal and professional level.

“The contact with such a range of socially and culturally diverse people, which is involved in the experience abroad, has an enriching quality on a personal and professional level.”

Gemma Riba.

Miquel Sanz: For me personally, it will allow me to participate in an international research project and get an understanding of how the TALK tool is applied. TALK is a project where the goal is for teams to talk, discuss and learn in a constructive and non-critical way, to improve and maintain patient safety.

Jesús Gutiérrez: Sabàtics has offered me the chance to focus on my own research project for a while. This is something that, for a nurse like myself, is very interesting from a professional perspective, as it allows me to focus all of my attention on developing a part of the nursing activity that normally has to be combined with the care activity. Scholarships such as Sabàtics allow new projects for the future to be considered. In addition, it has allowed me to develop the project in a more structured, professional and scientific way.

Do you think it is important to carry out initiatives like this one? Why?

MS: I think that it is very important, as it gives nursing professionals, nutritionists, physiotherapists, etc. the opportunity to have a unique professional and personal experience. I have no doubt that this scholarship will allow each person who experiences it to grow, but those who will benefit the most will be the patients and, therefore, the service offered by our institution.

“I have no doubt that this scholarship will allow each person who experiences it to grow, but those who will benefit the most will be the patients and, therefore, the service offered by our institution”

Miquel Sanz

GR: Undoubtedly, carrying out initiatives such as the Sabàtics scholarship abroad represents a great possibility to improve healthcare practice, allowing the inclusion of innovations and interventions that work externally and are outside of our usual context. It is very important to invest in initiatives of such characteristics.

JG: In my case, it’s a little different. I must say that nursing as a profession has a very interesting research aspect, but which, at the same time, is very unknown within society in general. Projects such as Sabàtics provide the opportunity to give visibility to purely-nursing research studies, which contribute to the health of citizens through the implementation of improvements in health care.

What would you say to those who are doubting whether or not to go for it?

MS: This question is easy, they shouldn’t have any more doubts. It is true that leaving your family, language and comfort zone behind requires taking a big step forward. But, once you have done this, after a few days, you will already be integrated in the new location abroad, and the personal and professional reward is priceless.

JG: I would encourage all our colleagues to have a project in mind that can improve health care in our setting. I would also encourage them to look for all available tools and aids that might make their idea viable. The intensification scholarship offered to me is a great opportunity to focus on study and research. I would tell them that—even if they think their project is not up to par or that they will not get it—participating in the selection process alone will improve their idea, so it’s worth it just for this.

GR: Well, I would tell them not to think twice about it. The possibility of discovering and delving deeper into areas of interest in other institutions is a great opportunity offered to us by the hospital and barnaclínic+ that you shouldn’t let pass you by. It is an experience that allows you to discover much more than what you may think at first.

What do you think about barnaclínic+ helping you to carry out your training around the world?

JG: The fact that institutions like this contribute to the development of professionals in general, and, in cases such as my own, make it possible to spend part of the time on research, is very positive for nursing. Something that will surely contribute to improvements within our hospital and the health system for everyone.

GR: The fact that barnaclínic+ helps our training around the world is a fantastic opportunity that is not offered by all centres. This is a sign of the commitment of our centre to invest in its team, and to facilitate the training and learning of its workers. An essential aspect in improving the quality of care.

“The fact that barnaclínic+ helps our training around the world is a fantastic opportunity that is not offered by all centres. This is a sign of the commitment of our centre to invest in its team”

Gemma Riba.

MS: As I said, this is priceless. Therefore, I only have words of thanks for the barnaclínic+ initiative. Our hospital has a long tradition in the sabbaticals of medical colleagues, and nobody doubts the value that this has brought to the Clínic. The fact that scholarships have now been extended to other groups through barnaclínic+ grants will allow for professional development in areas of care and research. An excellent initiative.