Traveling Scholars Program Report
Wah Wah Myint Zu, DR
Travel date: May 23, 2019
Name of Meeting/Event/Activity: 16th World Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC)
Origin: Yangon, Myanmar / Destination: Berlin, Germany
How was this meeting/activity helpful to you?
The Conference helps me in learning Global Palliative Care, Public Health and Policy , Palliative Care in new disciplines of ageing and immigrants etc. The EDUPALL Multiplier Event encourages me to strength the curriculum for nurturing future leaders in Myanmar. Learning about Leadership inEUPCA, different ideas, different projects and research posters also widens the understanding of Palliative Care perspectives , From Ideas to Action helps us to have a bird eye view of Global health institutions. Experiencing the learning of living and dying matter inspire me to learn more about the language of dying and spiritual Care. As a strong advocacy for integrating Palliative Care and Oncology , EAPC-ESMO seminar is very encouraging me in facing the challenges . The conference also widens the knowledge of Pain Management Guideline of WHO and ESMO designed center development .Different topics of learning management of symptoms of Pain, dyspnoea , Rationale use of Morphine , psychosocial and spiritual care help me to learn new knowledge. Knowing GP activity encourages me to collaborate more with GP in Myanmar for palliative care in Home care and Community Care. Digital Legacy is good to know side events, however, it gives me many thoughts about the impact of social , psychological or spiritual aspect of remaining family members, caregivers, friends and relatives .
How will you new knowledge & acquired skills help in furthering your work in hospice and palliative care in your program/city/ or country?
I will write a report about the Congress and send to Policy maker to advocate their commitment in development of Palliative Care Department, National Palliative care plan and policy development .Integrated curriculum in Medical Education will soon be started in Myanmar and so learning from Pall Educ Workshop, I am also more confident in handling the curriculum of Undergraduate education. I will share the knowledge to all HCP to promote the awareness and to recruit the future colleagues and disseminate the knowledge. Congress also encourages me to do more evidence based research paper and poster. Meeting with experts from WHO and ESCO, supports me in making Cancer Pain Mgt Guideline for our country and try for ESMO designated center. Attending Task force group helps me in collaborating with international task force. As a volunteer in Hospice, information I get from congress will help me in supporting the progress and improvement of Care in Hospice and community care. With my own experience , I think Caregiver are the one we need to take care of . Learning from Leadership workshop of EUPCA , make me more focus on caregiver support program. And the last ,not the least ,is the learning point of discussion with the famous pioneer palliative Care specialist Prof Eduardo Bruera, , Self care of our team member’s important activity to reduce burn out in our community by supporting each other , debriefing the stressful situation. I think that activity should be encourage in our Palliative care community which give compassionate care to suffering patients and family with spectrum of impact of sufferings.
How IAHPC Traveling Scholars Program be improved in order to help other future traveling scholars?
In addition to transport fee , it will be more helpful if scholars get support for lodging. If scholars and committee member have a chance to make time to meet and discuss, that will encourage us to understand and able to support each other and strengthening the friendship and collaboration .
Narrative summary highlighting the needs and challanges you face
Myanmar is the developing country in South East Asia. Palliative Care is taking the baby steps. As a Palliative Care Lead Clinician, it is a great opportunity to be a travelling scholarship of IAHPC to attend World Congress of EAPC, which is done is historic Berlin. Learning about Palliative Care In EU countries and from international Experts gives me new and different insight upon our own challenges and barriers in Palliative Care Journey and gives ideas and strength for trying our best for Palliative Care Development in our country, Myanmar ,and also encourage me for promoting awareness and advocacy and to collaborate with international taskforce group and organization for holistic global Palliative Care Development .