The content and pedagogy for transfusion education varies according to profession, specialty, experience and role. The NBTC education working group (EdWG) was set up to address the lack of co-ordinated approach to transfusion education in terms of both curriculum content and consistency of availability. This applies to pre and post registration training of all healthcare professionals (HCPs) - doctors, nurses and midwives; as well as to supporting scientific and technical training.
The education working group endeavours to:
- influence professional bodies around transfusion curriculum design and delivery
- improve the quality and accessibility of transfusion education for undergraduate and postgraduate HCPs through collaboration with key stakeholders
- ensure availability of relevant training standards
- support the use of cross-professional, nationally recognised training modules (Blood Transfusion Training) and assess its efficacy
- strengthen and evaluate existing training for HCPs and develop novel training methods
- establish clear clinical and scientific career development pathways, including for transfusion practitioners and consultant clinical scientists
The EdWG meets quarterly online. Membership consists of representation from hospital consultants, NHBST, SHOT, PBM team, transfusion practitioners, laboratory BMS, trainees, undergraduates and patients. If you are interested in joining the group or would like to discuss any education-related project, research or quality improvement project, please contact deborah.booth@nhsbt.nhs.uk.
Chair, Dr Jane Graham, Consultant Haematologist, University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM), Stoke on Trent