Traveling Scholars Program Report
Lalchhanhia Ralte, MD
Travel date: May 23, 2018
Name of Meeting/Event/Activity: 10th World Research Congress of the EAPC
Origin: Aizawl, India / Destination: Bern, Switzerland
Photos
Lalchhanhia Ralte presenting a poster at the conference How was this meeting/activity helpful to you?
I have always wanted to learn more about palliative care especially research, which I felt was met after attending this conference. I was able to meet and network with like-minded professionals from different parts of the world. It was also a quick break from work, compassion fatigue reliever. I think I have been equipped with the basics as well as the latest in palliative care research after attending this conference.
How will you new knowledge & acquired skills help in furthering your work in hospice and palliative care in your program/city/ or country?
Through monthly CME that we have for Doctors dealing with cancer patients, knowledge acquired will be disseminated. Information learnt would be shared with medical staffs and patients at our hospice through the various ongoing in – house trainings that we have. I would also share things that I’ve learnt through the TV shows and radio programs I occasionally do for palliative care advocacy. I also plan to write about the conference in one of the medical newsletter.
How IAHPC Traveling Scholars Program be improved in order to help other future traveling scholars?
The scholarship gives opportunity for those of us living in developing countries to attend conferences and updates which otherwise would not be possible. My only suggestions are – Kindly reduce the time frame from 2 years to 1 year, ie, scholarship eligibility after receiving one. Also, a more structured or proper way for scholarship recipients to meet and share each other’s work during the conference free time.
Narrative summary highlighting the needs and challanges you face
In India, scientific evidence based palliative care needs to be strengthened. We are still at a stage where there is a need for advocacy within the Government and the community. We are still at awareness level, sadly, even amongst majority of the medical fraternity. As mentioned, we need more scientific evidence based practise and research. Attending this conference opened my eyes to what kind of research are being done in Europe. The kind of research methodology used and most importantly, the impact of such studies and how they are translated into daily palliative care practises. With my medical and public health background, I realised certain studies I could start, studies that would be relevant to my local context from some of the presentations. Which in the long run, would benefit patients – especially end of life.