Traveling Scholars Program Report
Mirian Gonzalez, DR
Travel date: March 27, 2021
Name of Meeting/Event/Activity: Latin American Virtual Conference on Palliative Care
Origin: Chitre, Panama / Destination: Bogota, Colombia
How was this meeting/activity helpful to you?
The Virtual Conference on Palliative Care, "The transformation of the art of caring" has allowed me to reinforce ideas of care, self-care and organization, which come from my master's training. With the issue of the pandemic, as the coordinator of my team I had to make many changes, changes that allowed me, as Dr. Bruera would say, to realize that in virtuality we can have an ally in the care of our patients. What lessons do I have from this virtual conference organized by the ALCP? Provided there is proper planning, many benefits can be achieved for patients, their families, and the team. Self-care is the foundation that sustains the team, added to continuing education. Structures guide our processes. Being more aware of our patients and implementing a direct telephone line has decreased the rate of re-admissions to the emergency room. On the subject of opioids, sometimes knowing the problems that exist in other countries and seeing that some have the same difficulties, makes one gain more strength. Definitely, our own education and the education of our colleagues, would help to maintain a balance in the prescription of opioids. Perhaps if our national coordinators provided more teaching to the rest of the health team, we would not be facing so many problems with opioids. The home visits of our patients are an important pillar, for me they are an art, an art because in a glance I must capture problems not only of the patient but of his family nucleus. Because sometimes we go believing that we solved a situation, but was it the situation that we needed to solve? Thanks to the IAHPC for the opportunity to participate in this virtual conference, which has been enriching in several aspects. Knowing that we are on the right track and that we are not doing too badly is actually rewarding.
How will you new knowledge & acquired skills help in furthering your work in hospice and palliative care in your program/city/ or country?
No comment.
How IAHPC Traveling Scholars Program be improved in order to help other future traveling scholars?
No comment.
Narrative summary highlighting the needs and challanges you face
No comment.