Mangaluru: “What happens within the four walls on medical development must reach people outside who need to benefit from these developments and media must be used to reach the needy people,” said Er Jerardin D'souza, founder director of Mangalore Alzheimer's Association (MAA) when he was having an interactive lecture with Dr Jochen Becker, director of Palliative Care, Germany at KMC on Monday July 18.

He was addressing the second batch of Advanced Palliative Care on Geriatrics being directed by Dr Jochen Becker, director, MediAcion, Germany.

Around twenty medical professionals, both MD doctors and Nursing superintendents took part in the third session of the twenty day course.

“The awareness of the medical advancement must reach the end beneficiaries that is the general public. Briefing the media, whether through print, radio or TV is conventional as well as today’s social media like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and various easily communicable free media must be used to reach the public consciousness,” said Jerardin D'souza.

Dr Becker asked penetrative questions like how to form a group or organization on Facebook, which Jerardin explained and Dr Becker urged Dr Ramya Shenoy to form a group for Palliative Care which she volunteered to do.

The other aspects like radio talks to create awareness on any medical topic of public interest were also explained.

“How do you prepare before going for a TV talk?” asked Dr Becker. “I do nothing special, just dress properly and go to the TV Studio,” said Jerardin. “Yes, that is the way to be, not tensed, just confident on your subject and be relaxed,” was how Dr Becker advised the participating doctors.

Dr Becker asked for a feedback from the participants on Jerardin's talk. Each one shared their view. Everyone was appreciative of the way it was presented and one nursing superintendent said it was very humorous and well presented.

The importance of media and publicity of medical advances was made very clear to the medical professionals in the talk.

The role of MAA-Mangalore Alzheimer's Association in reaching out to the suffering families too was discussed.

Dr Prabha Adhikari, Geriatrician, lectured on Alzheimer's Dementia and its care giving aspects. She is the mentor of MAA and constantly guides. The families that approach MAA are directed to Dr Prabha. Dr Vina Vaswani, forensic expert and ethics, Yenepoya Medical College, spoke comprehensively on ‘Ethical and Legal aspects of Palliative care’. The pros and cons of the Aruna Shanbogue case were discussed.

The actual care giving and ‘Mouth Care’, ‘Feeding problems in geriatric palliative care,’ ‘Improving and Integrating Palliative Care in the ICU’' were demonstrated by the nursing chiefs. Sisters Shobha, Manjula, Clara, Jayanthi, Poornima and Sabeena were present.

Dr Sourjya Banerjee gave insights on ‘Spirituality: Does it really help? Why? How? Dr Shyam Krishnan spoke on ‘Physiotherapy for Stroke at End of Life’. Dr Jochen Becker apart from directing the whole course, dealt with reviews, family support tool, genogram and case work on family problems and psycho drama.

Dr Sheetal dealt with case studies on Palliative care and communication. She organized the Advanced Course in Palliative care efficiently and effectively.