PALLİATİVE CARE WORKİNG GROUP TRAİNİNG
A. INTERNATIONAL TRAİNİNG PROGRAMS
1.International Palliative Care Unit Visit – Sweden
2. International Visit to a Palliative Care Unit – Norway
Between 11–15 June 2012, a visit was made to the Pan-European Palliative Care Research Centre (NTNU) at St. Olav’s Hospital University in Trondheim, Norway, one of the most important palliative care research centers in Europe.
During this visit, we observed and shared clinical experiences and practices in palliative care.
Participants: İsmail Okan, Mustafa Süren, Rıza Çıtıl, Yalçın Önder, Nagihan Yıldız Çeltek
Between 3–8 June 2013, a one-week theoretical and practical palliative care training program was attended at the University of Bonn, Germany.
The training was organized upon the invitation of Prof. Lukas Radbruch, President of the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC), with the support of the ERASMUS Program.
During the program, theoretical knowledge and practical clinical approaches in palliative care were studied and shared.
4.International Visit to a Palliative Care Unit – United Kingdom
Participants: İsmail Okan, Mustafa Süren, M. Aziz Gökbakan
Between 16–21 September 2013, a one-week theoretical and practical training program on palliative care was attended at the Cicely Saunders Institute of Palliative Care, King’s College University, London, United Kingdom.
The program was conducted upon the invitation of Prof. Irene Higginson and included comprehensive training on the theoretical and practical aspects of palliative care.
5.Between 20–24 May 2016, a visit was made to the Palliative Care Center at King Hussein Cancer Center, Jordan.
The hospital is located adjacent to the University of Jordan and operates as a semi-official institution.
The center has a capacity of 8 inpatient beds. The hospital is dedicated entirely to the care of cancer patients.
During the visit, Assoc. Prof. İsmail Okan gave a presentation providing information about the Tokat Palliative Care Center and its activities.
B. DOMESTIC TRAININGS AND CONFERENCES
A poster presentation was presented at the 7th World Research Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care, held in Trondheim, Norway, on 7–9 June 2012.
Poster Presentation: M. Suren, İ. Okan, Z. Kaya, S. Karaman, S. Arıcı, M. Çömlekçi, M. Ayan, M. Esen. “Initial Experience with Palliative Care Needs of Terminal Cancer Patients in a Northern City of Turkey”
During the 13th World Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care, held in Prague, Czech Republic, between 30 May–2 June 2013, six scientific presentations were delivered. Experiences and knowledge were shared with leading palliative care centers from around the world.
Presentations:
Participants: Nagihan Yıldız Çeltek, Rıza Çıtıl, Yalçın Önder, Nurşah Başol, Mustafa Süren
Between 10–12 September 2015, the 15th National Nursing Congress was attended by Assistant Professor Medine Koç with two poster presentations:
The SADEFE (Federation of Health and Social Services Associations) organized a Palliative Care Course during the Health Expo, held at the Istanbul CNR Congress and Exhibition Center between 21–23 October 2015.
The congress brought together senior representatives from nearly 50 countries and featured sessions discussing Türkiye’s Health Transformation Program and the social reforms implemented over the previous decade.
Representing the university, Prof. Dr. İsmail Okan, Head of the Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, participated in the Palliative Care Course as part of the congress.
In line with its commitment to improving the quality of healthcare services, the Palliative Care Center organized a comprehensive institutional training program for healthcare professionals. These sessions were designed to introduce the Center, enhance awareness of its services, and strengthen collaboration among departments within the institution.
The training program aimed to increase healthcare professionals’ knowledge of the palliative care process, promote interdisciplinary cooperation, and improve the efficiency of patient referral pathways. Topics covered included the principles of palliative care, the multidisciplinary team approach, symptom management, and supportive services provided to patients and their families.
During the training sessions, Center Director Prof. Dr. İsmail Okan emphasized the Center’s mission, stating:
“Palliative care is a holistic approach that aims not only to provide end-of-life care but also to enhance the quality of life throughout the course of serious illness. The purpose of this training is to ensure that all our staff embrace this approach and work together to provide coordinated, patient-centered care for those in need.”
The program attracted strong participation from physicians, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare professionals. Interactive discussions encouraged participants to share their experiences, exchange ideas, and gain a deeper understanding of the palliative care process, while addressing practical questions related to patient care and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The Palliative Care Center organized External Training Programs to enhance the quality of healthcare services and increase awareness of palliative care among healthcare professionals and the wider community.
The program was attended by healthcare professionals from surrounding hospitals and healthcare institutions, as well as representatives from various public organizations and institutions within the province. The training focused on the fundamental principles of palliative care, the multidisciplinary team approach, communication with patients and their families, pain and symptom management, and ethical decision-making in palliative care.
During the sessions, Center Director Prof. Dr. İsmail Okan delivered interactive presentations highlighting the importance of palliative care practices and their contribution to improving patients’ quality of life. Participants had the opportunity to exchange experiences, engage in interactive discussions, and share knowledge, fostering collaboration and strengthening professional competencies in palliative care.