ISTM Practice and Nursing Issues Committee (PNI)

The Practice and Nursing Issues Committee is very excited to have this new way to stay in touch with ISTM membership. At this time we present some general information on the committee and our plans for the coming year. Please visit the web site every few months for updated information and the latest news about the Practice and Nursing Issues Committee. We hope to post more information in the future including updates on our initiatives and links etc. Please remember that the committee can only be as effective as you are interested and involved. Keep in touch with us and we will do our best to engage your ideas and address your issues and concerns.

Comments regarding practice and nursing issues may be directed to Rebecca Acosta (USA), Chair: rwacosta@travelersmedical.com and Jane Chiodini (UK) Co-Chair janechiodini@btinternet.com

Charter

  • The Practice and Nursing Issues Committee has responsibility for monitoring and addressing practice and professional issues (and other issues of interest to Nurses within the ISTM) as well as promoting the communication and collaboration among Nurses involved in travel medicine worldwide
  • The Practice and Nursing Issues Committee is charged with proposing conference topics of interest to Nurses for consideration of the Scientific Program Committee of the CISTM
  • The Practice and Nursing Issues Committee is charged with coordinating with the membership committee to facilitate the growth in membership of Nurses within the ISTM
  • The Practice and Nurses Issues Committee is charged with proposing specific programs or initiatives to serve interest of Nurses within the ISTM

Members

  • Rebecca Acosta (USA) - Chair
  • Jane Chiodini (UK)- Co-Chair
  • Anita Baker (USA)
  • Susan Bailey (USA)
  • Lorna Boyne (UK)
  • Susan Koeman (Netherlands)
  • Sandra Greive (UK)
  • Sheila Hall (UK)
  • Nancy Jenks (USA) (ISTM Nurse Counselor-Executive Board)
  • Ed Lister (USA)
  • Linda Maeland (Finland)
  • Shoko Umemura (Japan)
  • Jennifer Wykes (Italy)

We have had several members from Asia, Canada and Europe drop off the committee recently. In the early fall of 2005 we will send out an announcement calling for new members from these areas in order to maintain a geographic representation on the committee.

At this time we have sufficient members from the UK and USA and will not recruit from the US and UK until positions become vacant, terms expire (4 year with one renewal option) or if there is a need for special projects. The membership will be notified via Travelmed Listserv and the ISTM NewsShare of vacancies.

Main Achievements and Plans:

To date the main achievement of the Practice and Nursing Issues Committee has been to create a formal place for nurses in the society to address our needs and concerns as related to the practice of travel medicine and our unique role in the field. The structure is now in place for nurses to have a collective voice in the society and representation on the Executive Board.

In 2003-2005 we achieved the following:

  • Renewed committee membership
  • Proposal for CISTM 9 (Lisbon)
    • Nurses advocated for the first symposium on Adherence and Compliance in travel medicine, which was very well received in Lisbon.
  • Nursing Welcome Reception (Lisbon)
    • Over 100 nurses attended to meet, greet and hear from colleagues around the world
  • CE (Continuing Education) credits for US nurses
    • PNI issued an explanation for the decision not to offer CE to US nurses for CISTM 9 (Lisbon)

Plans for 2005-2007 are still in development but include:

  • Planning for CISTM 10 (Vancouver)
    • Planning including addressing CE for US nurses; nursing proposal of sessions; nursing reception
  • Development of a slide set to promote benefits of ISTM membership to nurses
  • Assist with development of ISTM Evidence Base for Clinical Practice
    • PNI will be involved in this collaborative effort with the Publication Committee
  • Educational Initiatives
    • Liaise with the Professional Education Committee to ensure that initiatives such as exam preparatory courses etc. will be meaningful and useful to nurses
  • Traveler Awareness Leaflet
    • PNI is very interested in assisting ISTM to create more awareness of ISTM and the important services that travel medicine professionals can provide to the travelers
  • Formalize a database of and links with national travel health nursing groups and organizations
    • This will allow for better collaboration and communication with colleagues
This site is designed and supported by Shoreland, publishers of Travax® EnCompass and Travax®.
Content © ISTM. Send questions or comments about this site to ISTM.
ISTM Home Page