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Traveling Scholar’s Report
Asia Pacific Hospice Network Diploma/Graduate Certificate Palliative Care of Flinders University
By Dr. Su Han
Department of Palliative Medicine, West China Fourth Hospital
Sichuan University
Chengdu, Sichuan, China
I recently had the opportunity to receive training in Singapore during the Asia Pacific Hospice Network (APHN) Diploma/Graduate Certificate Palliative Care Program offered by Flinders University. This was made possible thanks to a Traveling Scholarship grant provided to me by IAHPC.
I’ve have practiced palliative medicine since my graduation in 2005. However, I have not had the opportunity to receive formal professional training in palliative care in China because it is quite a new discipline. The trip to Singapore was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about palliative care. I was so honored to attend lectures given by the following teachers from Flinders University: Meera Agar, Meg Hegarty, and David Currow. Most important, I was able to I learn how to learn. There is an old Chinese saying that, “teaching people to fish is better than giving people fish”. My most respected teachers taught me a very good lesson on how to “fish”.
I learned a lot about symptom control, especially for symptoms such as delirium and breathlessness that are neglected, or difficult to deal with, in my own organization. I also learned about the world view and attitude towards resuscitation which is often at odds with the concept in China. I am now trying to apply what I learned about this topic in my organization.
After class, I had an opportunity to visit Dover Park Hospice. I want to thank Poon Wing Hong Edward for his clear introduction. The hospice facilities are so nice that even healthy people would like to stay. Patients are very fortunate that the cost of their care is not great. It was an amazing experience!
Apart from the learning experience, I was also very fortunate to meet Dr. Shaw, Dr Goh, and Wei Yee from APHN. They were so kind and helpful during my stay. I couldn’t have managed to take part in the course without them!
I feel so lucky that I received the support for this trip, and wish to thank again the IAHPC for this!
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