The APHN-Lien Collaborative Palliative Care Training, held from September 25-28, 2024, in Manila, Philippines, was a focused initiative aimed at enhancing the country’s palliative care capabilities. Organised by the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network (APHN) in collaboration with local partners, the event featured comprehensive training programs designed for two main participant groups. Fifty individuals, including Palliative Medicine Specialists, advocates, and representatives from government cancer centers, joined the Master Training track. Another 150 healthcare professionals attended foundational training sessions, which included family medicine specialists, nurses, allied health professionals, and general practitioners. Both training tracks were led by APHN faculty members, including A/Prof Ghauri Aggarwal, Dr Patricia Neo, and Nurse Ivy Gough, with the support of local experts like Dr Karin Estepa Garcia, Dr Mae Corvera, Dr Mari Joanne Joson and Dr Agnes Bausa.
The training was strategically integrated with the 2024 National Palliative and Hospice Care Summit, organised by Hospice Philippines and Philippine Society of Hospice and Palliative Medicine in partnership with Philippine General Hospital, Philippine Cancer Society, INC. and The Ruth Foundation, held on September 25, where APHN-Lien Collaborative faculty members also served as advisors. This summit provided an opportunity for over 200 participants to engage in high-level discussions on palliative care development. The APHN Lien Collaborative was an official partner for the event, represented by prominent members like Dr Corvera (also the President of Hospice Philippines and a former APHN Council member), along with A/Prof Ghauri, Dr Neo, and Mr Giam Cheong Leong (Executive Director of APHN).
The APHN-Lien Collaborative training program officially commenced after the summit, with workshops running from September 26-28. Held at Casa Ibarra and the Philippine General Hospital, the program covered core areas essential to building a robust palliative care framework in the Philippines. Key topics included:
1. Pain Management: Participants were trained on pain assessment tools and interventions to manage diverse patient needs.
2. Communication Skills: Trainers were taught the SPIKES protocol and other methods to communicate sensitive information empathetically.
3. Goals of Care and Advanced Planning: Trainers were prepared to guide discussions on care preferences, addressing legal and ethical considerations.
4. End-of-Life and Bereavement Care: Participants learned holistic approaches to support patients and families, incorporating cultural and spiritual needs.
5. Service Establishment: Trainers were equipped with strategies to develop hospital- and community-based palliative care services, including team dynamics and quality improvement.
The training employed interactive methods, such as case-based learning, group discussions, and bedside teaching, to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to mentor others and establish palliative care systems across various healthcare settings. With this collaborative effort, the APHN-Lien Collaborative aims to foster a new generation of trainers and advocates who will advance palliative care standards and accessibility across the Philippines.
Written by Mr Giam Cheong Leong (APHN Executive Director )
This project is a Lien Collaborative for Palliative Care initiative to build capacity in developing countries in Asia. The Lien Collaborative for Palliative Care was co-developed by the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network (APHN) and the Lien Foundation.