The China Psychosocial Capacity Building Program, spearheaded by the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network (APHN) in collaboration with local partner Sereniturn, has set a milestone in enhancing psychosocial care capabilities among healthcare professionals in China. Running from October 2023 to May 2024, this program equipped 15 participants, including social workers, psychologists, and physicians, with essential skills to address the psychological and social dimensions of advanced illnesses.
A Comprehensive Learning Journey
Delivered primarily online, the program featured a robust curriculum encompassing foundational psychosocial care, grief management, family dynamics in care decisions, and terminal care practices. Guided by experienced faculty members such as Dr. KK Yuen, Dr Gilbert Fan and Dr. Fang CK, participants gained hands-on experience through case discussions, role-play exercises, and reflective supervision.
Key tools like the Satir iceberg model, circular questioning, and pain thermometer assessments were introduced. Participants expressed appreciation for the practical, real-world relevance of these methods, highlighting their newfound confidence in bedside application and family conferencing.
Achievements and Impact
The program succeeded in fostering a deeper understanding of psychosocial issues, ethical dilemmas, and grief dynamics, underscoring the professionalism and critical role of medical social work in palliative care—a field still underdeveloped in China. Participants particularly valued the interactive learning environment and the actionable feedback provided by practitioners.
Participation from Lien Collaborative Faculty
The Lien Collaborative for Palliative Care faculty, Dr. Neo Han Yee, Ms. Sarah Tan, and Sr. Fionna Yow Chunru, participated in the closing ceremony of the Psychosocial Workshop, where they shared their experiences and case studies on addressing existential crises in grief and bereavement.
Future Directions
Looking forward, the program’s expansion to include more healthcare professionals and advanced modules focusing on supervision and specialized areas like bereavement support is highly recommended. Real-life case discussions and tiered training for different expertise levels would further enrich the learning experience.
The collaboration with Sereniturn has the potential to revolutionize psychosocial care in China. Plans are underway to design a general psychosocial palliative care program for all healthcare professionals, create supervision opportunities, and develop advanced training tailored to China’s specific needs. Such initiatives will be instrumental in positioning psychosocial care as a cornerstone of holistic palliative care services across the nation.
This groundbreaking program not only met its objectives but also laid a solid foundation for the growth of psychosocial capacity in China. It stands as a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and education in advancing healthcare for patients and families facing life-limiting illnesses.
Written by Mr Giam Cheong Leong (APHN Executive Director )