China

Outcomes

A team of Singapore International Volunteers (SIVs), comprising multi-disciplinary palliative care professionals from TTSH, and 85 healthcare practitioners in China engaged in clinical training workshops and symposia, where they exchanged knowledge, skills, and resources in palliative care. The Chinese participants comprised doctors, nurses and social workers from the palliative, oncology, and geriatric departments of hospitals and palliative care facilities in Kunming and surrounding counties.

A core group of 37 healthcare practitioners were selected to become Master Trainers. They were equipped with enhanced skillsets such as advance care planning, and techniques to train others in the field. These Master Trainers went on to train more than 800 other healthcare practitioners.

The project had a significant impact on the field of palliative care in China. The Yunnan Medical Association established a Palliative Care Branch post-project, making it the first medical-academic group in China to do so. The project also received great attention and strong support from relevant government departments in Yunnan Province with their presence at the launch ceremony. At least 36,000 people have benefitted from the improved care that resulted from the enhanced skills of the healthcare professionals and caregivers involved in this project.

Hear from Our Project Participant

“It was an enriching experience. The SIVs shared professional knowledge and expertise on advanced palliative medicine concepts and humane care practices. Under their guidance and assistance, we are able to provide higher quality of medical care and services to patients with mid- to late-stage cancer.”

Ms Liao Wen Jing

Head nurse from Kunming Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Outcomes

A team of Singapore International Volunteers from NUH and St Luke’s Hospital conducted training in rehabilitation care and chronic disease management. A total of 120 participants from Yunnan’s medical, nursing, and allied health fraternity attended four workshops, two symposia and two review sessions. Additionally, 24 Master Trainers (doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists) participated in a study visit to Singapore to learn about the country’s rehabilitation ecosystem. At the end of the project, participating hospitals had implemented new practices such as multidisciplinary team meetings, family conferences that included patients’ caregivers, and evaluation scales in assessment. There was also a mindset change of wanting to improve patients’ quality of life in addition to helping them recover physically. In a survey, patients interviewed were positive about the quality of care they received from trainees. The project made a positive impact at the provincial level, as healthcare leaders reported applying what they had gleaned from the Singapore model into their submissions of planning proposals for the province.