NTTU Nursing Faculty Members present at the 54th International EDTNA/ERCA Conference in Poland
NTTU – From September 24 to 29, 2026, two faculty members from the Faculty of Nursing at Nguyen Tat Thanh University (NTTU) attended and presented research at the 54th International EDTNA/ERCA Conference held in Gdańsk, Poland. This is an international scientific forum dedicated to renal care and dialysis, bringing together a large number of experts, physicians, and nurses from countries around the world.
Representing Nguyen Tat Thanh University at the conference were Dr. Luu Nguyen Duc Hanh, Deputy Head of the Faculty of Nursing and concurrently Deputy Head of the Department of Global Engagement, and Dr. Le Thi Thao Hien, Deputy Head of the Faculty of Nursing and Head of the Surgical–Obstetric Department. The conference was organized by the European Dialysis and Transplant Nurses Association/European Renal Care Association (EDTNA/ERCA) under the theme “Mind Matters in Nephrology: Caring Beyond the Kidneys.”
NTTU takes part in an International Scientific Forum on Renal Care
The International EDTNA/ERCA Conference is one of the world’s largest and most respected scientific forums dedicated to renal care and dialysis. This annual event brings together thousands of healthcare professionals, physicians, and nurses from countries with advanced medical systems, including the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Portugal, and Spain, among others.
At this year’s conference, alongside presentations from hospitals and universities around the world, Nguyen Tat Thanh University was the representative from Vietnam whose research was selected for official presentation. The presence of the two NTTU faculty members at the forum helped introduce the university’s nursing research activities to the international professional community.
Dr. Le Thi Thao Hien and Dr. Luu Nguyen Duc Hanh at the presentation session
As part of the scientific program, Dr. Le Thi Thao Hien and Dr. Luu Nguyen Duc Hanh jointly presented the study “Self-Care Practices Among Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: Implications for Nursing Care in Vietnam.”
Dr. Le Thi Thao Hien delivering the presentation
The study was presented in the session “Patient Education, Engagement, and Self-Management,” focusing on the role of self-care practices for patients with chronic kidney disease. The research drew interest and discussion from international colleagues, offering practical perspectives on the current context of chronic kidney disease care in Vietnam.
The session was chaired by two experts, Mr. John Sedgewick and Dr. Afra Masià-Plana. John Sedgewick has many years of experience in nephrology nursing and is a key member of the Association’s program accreditation team, while Dr. Afra Masià-Plana is a member of the EDTNA/ERCA Scientific Committee. The experts’ involvement as session chairs gave presenters the opportunity to exchange views and discuss professional issues related to renal patient care, as well as to share experience and perspectives from different healthcare contexts.
Dr. Luu Nguyen Duc Hanh and Dr. Le Thi Thao Hien with Mr. John Sedgewick and Dr. Afra Masià-Plana
Expanding International connections, creating more career opportunities for NTTU Nursing students
In addition to professional activities, the trip also opened up opportunities for future networking and collaboration benefiting Nursing students. During expert meetings at the conference, international healthcare recruitment organizations that supply nurses to markets such as Germany and Saudi Arabia also held discussions with the faculty members.
Direct connections with international recruitment organizations at the conference open up further internship and long-term overseas employment opportunities for NTTU Nursing students after graduation.
Beyond serving as an occasion for academic exchange and introducing the university’s research at an international scientific forum, the trip also helped expand the university’s professional network in nursing. Through this, Nguyen Tat Thanh University continues to work toward improving training quality, strengthening international integration, and linking the training process with career opportunities for Nursing students.
Translated by: Department of Global Engagement
Photos: Faculty of Nursing
