IAHPC Faculty Development Program Report

Sichuan University, China
by Dr. Jinxiang Li

Student Education

During the first seven months of 2009 we have been very active advancing palliative care in our region. 122 students participated in palliative care courses at Sichuan University. We supported the first graduate student, Miss Fang Qiu, with her study of the treatment of intractable pain and other symptoms using a micropump. She completed her studies and received a master’s degree in palliative medicine. We have modified the course work at the Sichuan University because we anticipate more than 270 students will take courses in palliative care on the two campuses of the university.

Postgraduate Education

We provided educational programs for 599 health professionals, including oncologists, geriatricians, physicians related to palliative care, nurses and pharmacists in the Medical and Scientific University of Hebai (128) in May, the Medical and Scientific University of Zunyi in Guanzhuang (118) in June, Guanzhuang Medical Association of Chinese Medical Board (218) in June and finally we conducted the first seminar and training courses on palliative care and elderly nursing (135) organized by the Chinese Association of Life Care in Shanghai in July.

Research and advocacy activities

We completed a research study to evaluate hospice and palliative care services and policies in China’s cities. The report has been sent to the Chinese National Health Ministry. In this report we advocate for palliative care and pain treatment as a fundamental human right and for palliative medicine to be recognized by the government as a branch of medicine.

Books Published

Dr. Jinxiang Li and Dr. Robert Twycross, from the UK, have completed three books related to palliative medicine and 6500 copies have been printed, they are: Oral morphine in advanced cancer; Morphine and the relief of cancer pain – information for patients; and Family and Friends. The books are being distributed throughout China and they have been used in the courses in palliative care in Shanghai and by the Sichuan Provincial Medical Association.

Service Provision

We run palliative care wards that have 41 beds and a hospice home care program supported by the Li Ka Shing Foundation . The palliative care team was expanded to include 10 physicians and 26 nurses in the Sichuan University.

We are prepared to start a home care program supported by the university hospital in addition to the services on wards in the community of Ning Yang Yuan.

Attendance at meeting

Finally, I participated in the 11th Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care during May, 2009. I learned a lot and have incorporated much of it into my teaching. I wish to thank IAHPC for the funding of our Faculty Development grant.

Note: Dr. Li is a grantee of the IAHPC Faculty Development Program. To learn more about this program, visit our website and look under the Programs tab.