Traveling Scholar’s Report from India

I wish to thank the IAHPC for enabling me to take part in the 8th World Psycho- Oncology conference in Venice , Italy from October 18 to 21, 2006. I was also able to attend the pre-conference workshops in Ferrara on 16th and 17th.

The pre-conference workshop at Ferrara was useful because basic concepts in research methodology were reviewed and new ideas were introduced. The sessions were interesting and interactive. There was in-depth teaching about the diverse research methodologies in several domains of cancer care. There were opportunities to share experiences in research programmes and in fact we discussed the present project I am involved with. It was important that I was able to meet experts in the field and hopefully I will be able to maintain contact in order to continue to learn and also to be able to discuss future projects. I was also able to obtain information about sources of research tools and instruments that will be useful in expanding research projects in India.

The conference brought me in touch with people working in various areas of Psycho-Oncology and provided an opportunity to listen to people from diverse cultures – an enriching experience.

The session on screening tools/ psychometric instruments in Psycho-Oncology for distress was stimulating. I was able to share my experience and to understand the differences in methods that are adopted in other countries. There was an update on a topic which is very relevant to work being conducted in India and the project in UK related to screening for distress.

I presented my paper, Emerging Trends in Psycho-Oncology in Northern Kerala , in the session titled ‘Cross cultural aspects in Psycho- Oncology’. This session enabled me to discuss our experiences in Kerala with other countries such as China.

We were able, as a team, to share with other delegates the work that is occurring in Kerala , India . The session on research methodology in the pre-conference academy brought clarity on several issues and I made contacts with experts that will help us in planning future research projects in Kerala. We may also be able to modify existing programs because of what we learned from other delegates after adapting them to our socio-cultural milieu.

As we focus primarily on training, it will be valuable to continue to be in touch with these experts and IPOS in order to receive help when we initiate and sustain our training program of volunteers. We also plan to develop modules for training the palliative care team in Psycho- Oncology.

DR CHITRA VENKATESWARAN
UICC Fellow
Kochi, Kerala
India

Traveling Scholar’s Report from Latin America

During the 8th Congress of the International Psycho-Oncology Society, held in Venice, Italy this October, I was able to share our experiences to create a psycho-oncology commission of the Latin American Association of Palliative Care. My paper was presented during the symposium “Palliative Care: Cross- cultural experiences”. Many people were interested in the work we have completed and offered to help and actively participate in the accomplishment of ongoing tasks. The panel highlighted innovative experiences in palliative care throughout the world. Dr. Eduardo Bruera delivered a lecture on the assessment and management of palliative care symptoms; determining needs and differences between developed and developing countries; and effective approaches and research tools. Later, Dr. Suresh Kumar shared with us their experience using a community program called “Neighborhood Network in Palliative Care”, where trained non-professional volunteers, supported by professionals, deliver psychosocial support across India . Finally, Dr. Musbeck outlined the very cooperative interactions between psycho-oncology and palliative care they have experienced during the past 15 years in Hungary.

The Congress had more than 1200 participants from all over the world, and it was an exciting and stimulating success. Diverse cultural experiences in psycho-oncology and psychosocial care were presented thus contributing to the overall development of the discipline in developed and developing societies.

I would like to express my gratitude to IAHPC for granting me the scholarship and giving me the opportunity to take part in the congress. I also hope that in the future, professionals from all over Latin America, are able to assist and highlight the important work that is being done in psycho-oncology in our region.

Alicia Krikorian
Director of the Commission of Psycho-Oncology
Latin American Association of Palliative Care
akrikorian@une.net.co