Traveling Scholars Program Report
Avetis Babakhanyan, MD
Travel date: May 23, 2018
Name of Meeting/Event/Activity: 10th World Research Congress of the EAPC
Origin: Masis, Aremenia / Destination: Bern, Switzerland
Photos
Avetis Babakhanyan at the conference How was this meeting/activity helpful to you?
1) Meetings and discussions with experienced professionals from UK and Romania, 2) Sessions dedicated to the dementia, delirium, symptom management issues were most interesting and helpful for me. 3) I collected some printed materials (books, journals, brochures), 4) Mini-workshop activities at booths (advanced products related to oxygenotherapy; aroma- and music therapy; CSCI devices).
How will you new knowledge & acquired skills help in furthering your work in hospice and palliative care in your program/city/ or country?
1) I will take into account updated information related to the pain and symptom management issues (to be applied into practice). 2) I will translate some materials from English into Armenian, and then publish online (respecting Copyright issues).
How IAHPC Traveling Scholars Program be improved in order to help other future traveling scholars?
The IAHPC Traveling Scholarship program is very useful for professionals from developing countries. It provides with opportunity to the significant rise of our competencies and knowledge in Palliative Care. But the ineligibility to apply for a grant in subsequent 3 years restricts our chances to attend big events every year. The Traveling Scholarship program might allocate some small support to everyone from low-income countries - ready to cover most part of his/her travel expenses (e.g. free registration only). For example, I am ready to spend $600-800 each year to attend a major Congress/Conference.
Narrative summary highlighting the needs and challanges you face
I have been supported by the IAHPC to attend 10th World Research Congress of the EAPC in Bern, Switzerland. I would like to express my gratefulness to the IAHPC for the continuous support to professionals around the world. The support is being provided through enabled access to the relevant literature, web-resources, network of professionals. The 10th World Research Congress of the EAPC was one of the most important events in Palliative Medicine this year. I should mention the great job done by the Congress organizers which allowed us to concentrate on research, educational, and scientific matters only. I have been honored to have detailed conversations with Professors David Oliver (UK) and Daniela Mosoiu (Romania); also with many colleagues from Austria, Switzerland, UK, India, and Spain. Unfortunately, there were no other participants from ex-Soviet countries, whom I could discuss common problems with. The main message I received at the Congress: the establishment and development of Palliative Care services have not been easy anywhere (including very rich countries); and it is not impossible to organize it anywhere (including very poor countries). We should rely upon local resources to establish an effective and sustainable Palliative and Hospice Care service. The support from international organizations should be mainly in educational and collaborative research forms. Some positive changes and developments are expected to happen in Armenia; and I will share the news later this year.