Traveling Scholars Program Report
Willian Lopez, DR
Travel date: March 6, 2024
Name of Meeting/Event/Activity: XI Congreso Latino Americano de Cuidados Paliativos
Origin: San Salvador, El Salvador / Destination: Cartagena, Colombia
How will you new knowledge & acquired skills help in furthering your work in hospice and palliative care in your program/city/ or country?
A theme that emerged from the observation of the experience in another country is the impact on palliative care education using film films as a tool.
What were the three main takeaways from this conference/event
1. The research networks in Latin America serve as a cornerstone for gathering essential information, vital for driving forward the progression of palliative care across the region.
2. The exchange of experiences and strategies among countries for the advancement of palliative care gains significant momentum over time and through collaborative meetings.
3. As advocates for palliative care within Latin America, it is imperative that we persist in our efforts to ensure access to this essential form of care for all individuals who require it.
Did you attend a session or workshop on education in palliative care? If applicable, describe how you plan to enact changes to curricula in your academic institution
My favorite workshop was: the Evaluation of the development of palliative care in Latin American countries based on WHO indicators, since it was also possible to listen to the different points of view of the indicators so that they are more appropriate for each country.
I attended the plenary session on palliative care education from the competencies. It is planned to present the education model of the specialty in palliative care by competencies to health owners and give calculations of results of the number of specialists in terms of years, which will be counted on to improve coverage and development, as well as Start conversations with the different universities that have a faculty of medicine and other health professionals to incorporate the subject.
Did you submit an abstract for a poster and/or an oral presentation and if so was/were they accepted? What was/were the title(s)?
Relación entre espiritualidad y resiliencia en profesionales de salud que brindan cuidados paliativos en El Salvador
Presenting a poster at a conference is always a rollercoaster of emotions for me as a palliative care physician. There's a rush of excitement as I prepare to share the findings with fellow professionals from around Latin America. The anticipation builds as we set up the poster, hoping it will catch the eye of curious attendees passing by.
As the conference kicks off, I find myself eagerly engaging with colleagues, discussing our shared passion for improving palliative care. But as the moment of my presentation draws near, a wave of nerves washes over me. Will I be able to effectively convey the significance of the research? Will I be able to field questions confidently and articulately?
Standing in front of the poster, I feel a mix of pride and vulnerability. It's a surreal experience to see others scrutinizing the work, but it's also incredibly rewarding to receive their feedback and insights. As the day progresses, I find myself energized by the discussions sparked by my poster, grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the collective knowledge of our field.
By the end of the conference, I'm exhausted but exhilarated, reflecting on the whirlwind of emotions that comes with presenting a poster. It's a journey filled with highs and lows, but ultimately, it's a vital part of the research process, driving us to push the boundaries of what we know and inspiring us to strive for excellence in our work.