Team 24; Advancing education and exploring pediatric practice
Team 24 travelled to Nepal in March 2023, lead by rehab engineer Carol Scovil who completed her 8th NepalAbility trip, alongside team members Sandra Mills (patient educator and engagement) and Becky Bauman (OT). Heather Grieve (PT) provided resources and support from Canada, as she was unable to travel to Nepal.
Prior to leaving, the primary objectives of the trip were to re-establish relationships with our Nepali partners following the pause of regular in-person visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, to provide sexual health and disability education, and provide education on pediatric rehabilitation and pelvic floor physiotherapy.
The team was also able to gather donations to bring with them including 3 Roho cushions, arts and craft supplies, handi-cups, universal cuffs, splinting material, hand exercisers, TheraPutty, pocket talkers and voice amplifiers. A manual wheelchair was also donated.
Team 24 visited 3 sites: United Mission Hospital in Tansen, Green Pastures Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre in Pokhara and Sundar Dhoka Sathi Sewa (SDSS) Rehab Centre in Kathmandu.
Prior to leaving, the primary objectives of the trip were to re-establish relationships with our Nepali partners following the pause of regular in-person visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, to provide sexual health and disability education, and provide education on pediatric rehabilitation and pelvic floor physiotherapy.
The team was also able to gather donations to bring with them including 3 Roho cushions, arts and craft supplies, handi-cups, universal cuffs, splinting material, hand exercisers, TheraPutty, pocket talkers and voice amplifiers. A manual wheelchair was also donated.
Team 24 visited 3 sites: United Mission Hospital in Tansen, Green Pastures Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre in Pokhara and Sundar Dhoka Sathi Sewa (SDSS) Rehab Centre in Kathmandu.
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While in Tansen, the team liaised with leadership including hospital director Dr. Rachel and medical superintendent and current rehab director Dr. Tul. This allowed for collaboration and engagement between NepalAbility and the UMH rehabilitation team. Discussions with leadership also helped clarify where resources from NepalAbility are focused including on inpatient and outpatient neurorehabilitation, procurement of assistive devices, paid time for community rehab visits with associated home modifications (pending proposals), telemedicine sessions and vocational training (pending proposals). Future funding opportunities include additional rehabilitation equipment and training for rehab staff. The Nepali providers have asked NepalAbility consider funding spine surgeries, supporting burn rehab (perhaps through bringing a therapist on a future team with burn experiences) and supporting children with neurodevelopmental conditions.
Sandra presented to 35 attendees, including physicians from all areas of the hospital and allied health, on “talking about sexual health after disability”. This session provided information on the physiological response based on spinal cord injury level, how intimacy may be different after injury, how to engage in conversations with patients and families, and considerations for how the UHM team might start to build their own sexual health strategy. There was great energy, discussion and enthusiasm throughout the session! Sandra also lead 18 nurses from all hospital departments in an education session on health literacy, communication strategies, sexual health after injury and ways to initiate these challenging conversations with patients. The nurses were engaged throughout and shared stories of their own experiences.
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Becky supported the OT department which provided treatment sessions to kids with CP and those with developmental delays, assisting children struggling with regulation, and supporting mothers of children requiring therapy. Becky listened to some of the challenges of the OT department, to assist with problem solving and brainstorming strategies for building the department. Future NepalAbility teams could consider bringing some of the equipment requested by the OT team, and fostering education opportunities on Autism Spectrum Disorder.
During their time at Green Pastures, the team was met by Josh and Sarah Riggsbee, attending weekly case conference rounds while connecting with the OT, SLP and counselling departments. Carol also met with leadership personnel, where the primary ask to NepalAbility was to support the therapy profile, increase interprofessional collaboration, and support local home visits.
Sandra continued to share her expertise as a patient educator, presenting to two different groups during the week. This included a workshop to 40 allied health and medical personnel from across the hospital. She reviewed sexual health after spinal cord injury, providing participants with a high-level review of functional levels related to sexual function post SCI and leading a discussion on how to develop a sexual health rehabilitation program. The second large group session was to the nursing team, with 3 main themes including health literacy, health care communication skills and sexual health after disability or illness. Sandra was also able to spend time with the social services team, working towards continuing the discussion and education on these topics for patients.
Becky provided support to the SLP and OT departments, including working with leadership on how to provide various types of inpatient and outpatient care for pediatric patients. Resources were provided to the team, including a sensory processing textbook “Building Bridges” which was gratefully received.
Sandra continued to share her expertise as a patient educator, presenting to two different groups during the week. This included a workshop to 40 allied health and medical personnel from across the hospital. She reviewed sexual health after spinal cord injury, providing participants with a high-level review of functional levels related to sexual function post SCI and leading a discussion on how to develop a sexual health rehabilitation program. The second large group session was to the nursing team, with 3 main themes including health literacy, health care communication skills and sexual health after disability or illness. Sandra was also able to spend time with the social services team, working towards continuing the discussion and education on these topics for patients.
Becky provided support to the SLP and OT departments, including working with leadership on how to provide various types of inpatient and outpatient care for pediatric patients. Resources were provided to the team, including a sensory processing textbook “Building Bridges” which was gratefully received.
Finally, at SDSS, an organization that hosts people from rural areas when they come to the capital for medical treatment, Sandra again presented on sexual health, this time to 13 people with spinal cord injuries. This was exceptionally well received. Participants stayed well past the presentation session to ask Sandra personal questions, and engage in ongoing discussions.
Thank you Team 24 for a successful visit!
Thank you Team 24 for a successful visit!
