Palliative Care nurse and OMI alumna Irena Laska, from the Mary Potter Palliative Care Center in Albania, shares a heartfelt report on the OMI Palliative Care Satellite Symposium that took place from November 11-12, 2024, in Tirana, Albania. Read her report below:
“The increased number of cancer patients, and other incurable diseases, as well as the aging of the population, is making palliative care a necessary service even in Albania. Meeting the needs of this category of patients is one of the challenges of healthcare in the country.
The hospice staff of “Mary Potter”, while offering palliative care, has also been engaged for years in the education of colleagues who offer healthcare all over Albania. Primary Palliative Care must be offered by every healthcare professional, both those who offer the service in primary healthcare as well as those who offer the service in the hospital healthcare system. From participants of ELNEC in Salzburg to instructors of ELNEC in Albania:
The fourth workshop of ELNEC in Albania, held from November 11 to 12 in Tirana, gathered 56 participants. Physicians, nurses, teachers of palliative care from nursing faculties, and a social worker were part of this important event regarding the future of palliative care in the country.
We were honored to have with us, as part of the faculty, Carrie and Patrick, Dr. Dona, Dr. Gerla, and Irena.
An intensive program, but taught professionally by lectors and experts in palliative care. The inclusion in this program of pediatric palliative care made the training more interesting as it increased the curiosity of the participants not only to listen, but also discuss different topics which, because of the culture, taboos, or fears, go without being talked about therefore without finding a solution in Albania’s healthcare system.
The training program was enriched by videos and case studies, which made the given information easy to comprehend. The trainers were devoted and motivated to give as much information as possible but also left openings for questions, comments, and discussions.
Participants came from all regions of Albania. They were palliative care providers from NGOs, the University Hospital Centre of Tirana, regional hospitals, professors of palliative care, as well as doctors and nurses who have started providing home-based care for patients with incurable diseases.
The University Hospital Centre of Kosova sent their own representative, who knew the situation and the high number of patients in need of this service and was very much interested in providing palliative care even in Kosova. Regarding this initiative, she asked for help in educating the healthcare staff about palliative care.
All of the participants had the opportunity to receive all the training and other additional material, which they will have the opportunity to share with their colleagues and use while working with patients.
Continuing education of healthcare professionals on palliative care plays a major part not only in deepening their knowledge or abilities but also in promoting and advocating for palliative care and its importance to patients in need.
At the end of the activity, the participants completed the assessment form, which pointed out that they not only considered the activity successful, but it surpassed their expectations. They highly appreciated the organization, the professionalism of the lectors, and the selection of participants, calling this activity a unique and unforgettable experience.
Their interest in more topics/information didn’t go unnoticed, and they also expressed a desire to repeat this training for other doctors and nurses.
The Open Medical Institut (OMI), and ELNEC faculty have made the training of tens of professionals from Albania possible for many years. Many programs and interventions surrounding palliative care in the country have been part of the projects presented in Salzburg and implemented in Albania. This activity was also a project presented by our representatives during the ELNEC course in Salzburg in 2023.
For this training, AAF and OMI made possible the presence of two lectors/experts of palliative care from ELNEC, who impressed the participants.
From the 56 people trained in this ELNEC symposium, tens more will be informed about palliative care and its specifics, hundreds of students will get updated information, and even more patients will benefit from better palliative care. Likeso, all of the participants will have an impact on improving and expanding palliative care in Albania.
Thank you OMI for the continued support, especially during this activity!
Thank you Betty Ferrell for trusting us!
Thank you to all ELNEC faculty who are always with us and our work!
Special thank you to Carrie Cormack and Patrick Coyne for sharing these two days with all of us!
All of us together can bring about a positive change in palliative care!
Thank you to the hospice staff of “Mary Potter”, who, while dealing with their work and providing service to the patients, have done incredible work in preparing the materials, resulting in the success of this activity!
You are all amazing!”
