The International Forum for Headache Nurses’ (IFHN) session at the 18th European Headache Congress in Rotterdam, Netherlands, drawing more than 100 attendees, including nurses, allied health professionals (AHPs), and neurologists from the UK, Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Spain, Ireland, Canada, and Denmark. Held on Friday morning from 9:00 to 10:30 am, the session showcased the vital role of headache nurses in advancing care and research while fostering meaningful discussions and collegiate connections.
Chaired by Jennifer Trouerbach-Kraan, the session opened with Jennifer welcoming attendees and introducing the IFHN. Reflecting on the forum’s journey across local and international platforms, she set an inspiring tone for the morning, highlighting the forum’s mission to unite headache nursing professionals worldwide.
The session featured three engaging speakers who shared their expertise and insights. First speaker was Louise Schlosser Mose from Denmark, who presented via a recorded video on her published work, Consensus Recommendations on the Role of Nurses in Headache Care: a north and central European e-delphi study. She provided a detailed overview of her study, discussing its methodology and its important findings. While acknowledging the diversity in nursing roles across different countries, Louise emphasised that her research aims to inspire further development of headache nurse’s framework tailored to local healthcare systems.
Maha Ahmed, a headache nurse specialist from the United Kingdom, followed with a presentation on Utilising Quality Improvement in Headache Care and Service Delivery. She emphasised the critical role of quality improvement in healthcare, offering practical tips for launching impactful projects. Through two compelling case studies, Maha demonstrated how quality improvement initiatives can enhance patient outcomes, improve experiences, and establish pioneering nurse-led services. She concluded with her team’s ongoing research comparing nurse-led and consultant-led Botox clinics, which generated significant interest among attendees.
The final speaker, Janneke de Man-van Ginkel from Netherlands, delivered a powerful talk on the Importance of Research in Nursing. She underscored the necessity of continuity of care in healthcare and highlighted how embedding research into nursing practice can drive innovation and ensure seamless patient care. Janneke’s presentation inspired attendees to see themselves as leaders in research within the evolving field of headache nursing.
The session concluded with a lively and interactive discussion, where attendees shared insights, asked thought-provoking questions, and explored how the lessons from the presentations could be applied to their own practices. This exchange of ideas reinforced the importance of networking and collaboration in advancing headache care and highlighted the power of collective efforts in overcoming challenges.
As the session ended, Chair Jennifer encouraged everyone to spread the word about the forum and invite others to join. “There is strength in numbers,” she reminded attendees, emphasising the importance of growing the forum’s community to amplify its impact and reach.
The IFHN session in Rotterdam was more than just an opportunity to share knowledge; it was a celebration of the dedication and expertise of headache nurses and allied health professionals worldwide. Attendees left inspired, connected, and ready to contribute to the ongoing growth of headache nursing. The IFHN extends its gratitude to the speakers, participants, and organisers who made this session a resounding success. Together, we are shaping the future of headache care—one step, one connection, and one innovation at a time.
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