Traveling Scholars Program Report
Gayatri Palat, DR
Travel date: May 23, 2019
Name of Meeting/Event/Activity: 16th World Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC)
Origin: Hyderabad, India / Destination: Berlin, Germany
How was this meeting/activity helpful to you?
The most amazing experience was reading the posters and interacting with authors during the poster walk. The range of subjects, the depth of meaningful research happening in the field of palliative care and the presence of participants representing work of more than 100 countries were mind boggling. I spent hours absorbing and learning from those amazing pieces of research work. Networking and meeting with friends and mentors and making new friends were another very useful part of the whole event. It was a learning experience to observe and understand the organization of an international conference of such a magnitude. Everything starting from the registration process, how the scientific sessions were planned, the scope of topics selected, events organized, logistics at the venue, technology used and newer innovations, which were used, was appreciated.
How will you new knowledge & acquired skills help in furthering your work in hospice and palliative care in your program/city/ or country?
Recent advances in palliative care learnt during various sessions, newer research ideas and some of the consensus statements/ documents related to advocacy work such as compassionate community and primary care and palliative care etc are some of the newer skills and knowledge which can be translated into my work.
How IAHPC Traveling Scholars Program be improved in order to help other future traveling scholars?
The current system of application and selection process is very simple and is benefitting people who truly deserve it. If there is a scope to support the entire conference expenses like budget travel and accommodation and conference fee to some deserving and younger health care workers/ volunteers who can’t otherwise afford it, will be helpful.
Narrative summary highlighting the needs and challanges you face
“Global Palliative Care — Shaping the future”. As is the theme of the conference, palliative care is everybody’s business and it is only by global collaboration and partnership that we can remove the disparity currently prevailing in our society. Government of India mandates universal access to health care. Today, more than 70 % of disease burden, disability and death are due to non- communicable diseases and injuries However, people living with life limiting illnesses are often out side the gamut of regular health care system. When cure is not possible, they are sent home. A desperate search for care results in catastrophic health expenditures and impoverishment and finally majority die in pain and suffering. A true universal access to health will be achieved if only we can remove this disparity by means of mainstreaming palliative care as a part of regular health system. This can be achieved by adopting a primary health care approach and with the help of a global compassionate community