Advancing together with knowledge

Gabriele Kroboth discusses the recent convening of the European Council of Enterostomal Therapy board in Brescia and the council’s plans for the future

Gabriele Kroboth, ECET President

As part of our professional responsibilities, we regularly engage with our colleagues, enterostomal therapists in Europe and various national stomatherapy associations. The ongoing pandemic has meant a shift towards online communication, allowing us to connect remotely despite our busy schedules in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare settings. This mode of communication has proven to be particularly convenient, enabling us to maintain our professional networks and exchange valuable insights and information despite the challenges posed by the current circumstances.

In January 2023, the European Council of Enterostomal Therapy (ECET) board convened for a scienti c meeting in Brescia (Picture 1). During the meeting, we discussed organisational matters, developed various projects, explored opportunities for collaboration with researchers and clinicians and updated ourselves on the latest knowledge and research within the eld of enterostomal therapy. This gathering provided a platform for sharing insights, exchanging ideas and staying abreast of the latest developments in the eld.

On 3–5 May 2023, the ECET participated in a ‘guest session’ at the European Wound Management Association (EWMA) Conference in Milan, which proved to be a resounding success. The main topic of the session was ‘peristomal skin disorders’ (Figure 2), providing an excellent opportunity for surgeons and stoma care nurses from various countries to engage in a highly professional discussion. The session generated signi cant interest, with many expressing a desire to collaborate with the ECET in the future. The event was a valuable platform for knowledge-sharing and networking, and it further reinforced ECET’s position as a leading authority in the eld of enterostomal therapy.

The ECET board recently met with industry partners to discuss potential collaborations, including smaller, focused meetings on speci c themes. These projects aim to develop expert recommendations that can support nurses and enterostomal therapy nurses in their practice. Through these initiatives, ECET is committed to advancing the eld of enterostomal therapy and improving patient care.