Traveling Scholars Program Report
Mayank Gupta, DR
Travel date: February 11, 2022
Name of Meeting/Event/Activity: 29th International Conference of Indian Association for Palliative Care
Origin: Dehradun, India / Destination: Jaipur, India
How was this meeting/activity helpful to you?
29th IAPCON was a perfect amalgamation of the art (compassion, humanity) and science (scientific evidence) in the field of palliative medicine. The scientific extravaganza extending over four days and including many pre-conference workshops and sessions was an overwhelming experience. Meticulously designed scientific program made everyone juggle from one hall to another in an effort not to miss anything. No stone was left unturned to help improve knowledge (plenaries, sessions), skill (workshops) and attitude (stalwarts sharing decades of wisdom) of both seasoned and novice palliative care physicians alike. Some of the key learnings which were particularly appealing and will be helpful in my clinical practice are: 1) Establishing new palliative care services: Stalwarts gave an invigorating glimpse of their journey in establishing different models of PC and stressed upon the importance of public awareness, advocacy, networking, fund-raising, tapping available resources and always keeping patients at the center of the services. 2) Leadership in palliative care: Leadership skills, building and sustaining a team, effective communication, empowering team members to be future leaders which will help during both establishing as well as sustaining new services.Not to mention, the spices of compassion, humanity, gentleness, empathy and patient-centeredness emphasized again and again during the conference were a re-enforcement of the principles of palliative care.
How will you new knowledge & acquired skills help in furthering your work in hospice and palliative care in your program/city/ or country?
There is a huge need-supply mismatch in the requirement and accessibility to palliative care services in India. The conference was an elaborate representation of the achievement so far, efforts being made at the regional and national level and what it takes to address this gap. The plethora of knowledge gained will help in addressing this gap in my area of practice by establishing new palliative care services to help relieve suffering of innumerable patients.
How IAHPC Traveling Scholars Program be improved in order to help other future traveling scholars?
There is a huge need-supply mismatch in the requirement and accessibility to palliative care services in India. The conference was an elaborate representation of the achievement so far, efforts being made at the regional and national level and what it takes to address this gap. The plethora of knowledge gained will help in addressing this gap in my area of practice by establishing new palliative care services to help relieve suffering of innumerable patients.
Narrative summary highlighting the needs and challanges you face
The scholarship gave an excellent opportunity to attend the conference. Thank you.