| In
2003, Singapore International Foundation (SIF)
approached Tan Tock Seng Hospital Rehabilitation
Centre for assistance in providing training for
the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) in Vientiane,
Lao People’s Democratic Republic (P.D.R.).
The
objectives of the training programmes were to
assist the NRC in establishing a rehabilitation
programme with emphasis on stroke, brain injury
and spinal cord injury. It was meant to be a Train-the-Trainers
programme so that the doctors, nurses and therapists
could train their future colleagues and skills
and knowledge would be passed on.
The
first training phase kicked off in October 2004
with Dr Kong leading a team compromising of Nursing
Officer Mai Yong Hoe, Senior Physiotherapist Wee
Seng Kwee, and Senior Occupational Therapist Jeannette
Lee.
There
were 5 Laotian doctors, 15 physiotherapists, 2
occupational therapists and 1 nurse who attended
the training. With each training phase lasting
only one week, the programme was considered very
tight. The focus of the first trip was on stroke
and brain injury rehabilitation. The training
programme consisted of lectures, case studies
as well as practical sessions with patients to
enhance the learning of the participants. Topics
included assessment of stroke and brain injured
patients, spasticity management, serial casting,
hemiplegic shoulder pain, balance rehabilitation,
gait analysis and re-education. Modified Barthel
Index was also introduced to the participants
as a form of outcome measure to chart patients’
progress during their rehabilitation stay in NRC.
One
of the challenges faced by the TTSH trainers was
the language barrier. Two interpreters were present
to assist in translating the training instructions
in Laotian. In view of the time required for translation,
the pace of the lectures and practical sessions
was considerably slow. Thus, constant calibration
of the training material was necessary in order
to keep to the training schedule. The Laotians were
very keen learners and they tried their best to
ask numerous questions despite the language barrier.
Another challenge faced was the different training
background of participants. As some of the concepts
taught were new to some participants, extra time
was needed to explain the concepts concisely or
to rephrase them clearly to the participants.
Learning and sharing of skills and knowledge
worked both ways. TTSH trainers had learnt a great
deal from the Laotian counterparts during the
course of training. There were constant discussion
and exchange of ideas. And also fostering of good
relationship and friendship. All trainers found
the Lao experience a very enriching and fulfilling
one.
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