Just how important is it for nurses to keep up to date with guidelines?
Guidelines are the pillars of evidence-based Medicine. Both Physicians and Nurses have to support CME and CNE on guidelines.
Do you find that the role of nurses in Europe is changing?
Of course. Today the job is more demanding, more specialised and it undoubtedly needs better basic education as well as uninterrupted nursing education.
Recent years have seen the introduction of tele-monitoring for patients with arrhythmia. Is this a trend that you personally welcome?
I certainly do, at least for certain purposes and well selected cases. As a general, new technology will result in important activities being based on e-health.
The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) has introduced an Allied Professionals Certification. Could you tell us more about this new initiative?
We consider well-educated and trained nurses as well as technicians to be integral parts of our profession. Therefore, continuous nursing education needs to be certified
This is the 11th Spring Meeting on Cardiovascular Nursing. How important is it for nurses and allied professionals to have their own annual congress?
I strongly support that an annual conference provides numerous opportunities for nurses and technicians but also for physicians to come closer, to exchange scientific views and to evaluate annual developments.
Professor Vardas follows closely the progress of the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (CCNAP) and will continue to do so in the next few years.