Rehabilitation and post-operative care are essential parts of treatment and can have a huge impact on patient outcomes.
The Interplast team was hosted by Khesar Gylapo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan (KGUMSB), where they were able to support the learning of a multidisciplinary cohort of surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists. Practitioners at all levels of education were able to learn from the visiting team.
Suzanne Caragianis and Alison Taylor delivered two workshops for physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Participants travelled from different districts around the country to attend the course “Treating Without Pain”.
Alison leads a demonstration for local physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
The two workshops were structured so that physiotherapists from the same district could attend in alternate shifts, ensuring their service remained covered during the teaching. Suzanne and Alison also worked alongside participants in the university clinic, supporting them to practice the new skills and techniques with patients attending that day.
“I feel like now, I am very well equipped to treat more patients with pain. With correct taping techniques, you could treat a lot of painful conditions without pain,” one physiotherapist reported after the program.
One of these patients, was Mohammed, who recently had his arm replanted by Dr Sonam Jamtsho after it was suddenly amputated in a machinery accident. The team consulted with Dr Raja Sabapathy to assess his range of shoulder motion and fabricate an elbow splint that would support his healing. In the days following the program, Mohammed was able to complete gentle exercises to assess his elbow and wrist range of motion. His surgery and post-operative care are a powerful marker of progress for Bhutan.
A variety of other lectures and tutorials were also run by Dr Nicola Massy-Westro for the surgeons and nurses — covering anatomy of the nervous system and hand biomechanics. Dr Massy-Westro also provided additional mentoring and support on the research and papers that form a huge part of their learning outside of clinics.
By the end of the workshops, together we achieved:
- 148 health professionals trained and mentored
- 30 patients receiving treatment.
“I plan to apply the new skills I have learned by incorporating them into my daily practices… I also intend to share this knowledge with my colleagues through discussions, demonstrations, or formal training sessions, ensuring that the entire team benefits and our collective work improves.” said one of the nursing students in their feedback to the team.
Participants celebrate with their completion certificates.
Acknolwedgements
This workshop was made possible by Suzanne Caragianis and Helping Hands in Bhutan (S.A.H.I. Inc), and our other generous funders.
