www. p r i m e - i n t e r n a t i o n a l . o r g

Welcome to the Summer Newsletter! The past few months have been unusually eventful for PRIME, both here and abroad, though there is space in this letter to give only a few snapshots of our recent activities. This edition features accounts from teachers working in India, in Africa and in Uganda as well as a view from Ethiopia of a course participant who now takes on the role of a PRIME Tutor. Invitations to work with other partners

continue to come in from many more places - and we still need more people who can help us meet these requests...

We reflect on the joys of teaching PRIME courses, and of the excitement of many who participate in our programmes as they catch a glimpse of just how rewarding it is to practice compassionate, whole-person care - valuing the patient as a person and recognising their spiritual as well as their physical needs.

It is easy to think of PRIME as a Western organization sending people ‘over there’ to teach for brief periods. While this strategy can undoubtedly bring benefits, it needs more to make a substantial on-going difference. PRIME has a much wider ministry drawing on the input from partners across the world. Its work is to envision, empower and equip doctors and other healthcare workers everywhere to recapture the desire to serve their patients not just as excellent, knowledgeable professionals but also as fellow human beings with heart of compassion. We are passionate that those who are ill should receive the best available care delivered to relieve their suffering in body, mind and spirit.

We have heard a lot recently about the lack of compassion patients receive, even in UK. This should not be so. So how can we make a difference? At PRIME’s 10th Anniversary Symposium at London’s Royal Institution in March we brought together leaders from Christians in Science, Christian Medical and Nursing Fellowships, HART and PRIME to review where the problems arise and how they may be reversed. And in Huw Morgan’s article, ‘The Singer Not The Song’ we also see where the real difference comes – from the heart of the teacher. We can all make a difference, whether we work in Hyderabad or Halifax, whether we ever ‘do’ a PRIME trip or not. Day by day we can reflect God’s love and his values as we interact with those around us - students, patients and just those we encounter in our everyday lives. By our example we will be teaching, and if we become involved delivering any sort of planned education let our students find their hearts warmed as well as their minds stretched and informed.

Dr John Geater MBE International Director

Are you passionate about improving health worldwide?Over a billion people worldwide lack access to even the most basic healthcare, often because there are no healthcare workers. Train a  healthcare worker and you can help save lives.

Train a healthcare  educator and you can help save thousands of lives.

PRIME is a charity committed to training, envisioning and empowering doctors and other healthcare workers to excellence in practice coupled with compassionate patient-centred care.

At the present time PRIME is seeking a non-exec, non-medic, trustee with particular experience and skills in current commercial insight, marketing a n d f u n d r a i s i n g e x p e r i e n c e , preferably based in Sussex or London, available for all meetings and willing to take part in discussions via emai l and te lephone between meetings as required.

The PRIME trustees meet face-to-face three times a year: normally April, September and December.

If you think your skills could dovetail with our needs, please look at our websitewww.prime-international.org.uk or contact Jo Clark at the office for more information (01424 858258).

N e w s l e t t e rSpring 2013

Rumina1onsonmyfirstPRIMEexperience

AlbaniaTrip11-15/10/2012

Thiswasmy*irsttripwithprime,itwasafascinatingexperience,andmyexcitementwasrelatedtoteachingandsharinginaneducationalinput,aconceptthatisclosetomyheart.MyapprehensionswerebasedonbeingwithacompanionshipthatIhavenevermetbefore(excludingtwomembersfromHull),environmentthatIwasnotfamiliarwith,andtheuseofinterpreters.

Myjourneywasverypleasant,andpeoplewereveryfriendly,theorganisationofthetripandtheprogrammewasexcellent.Thisincludedthearrangementforreceivingourgroup,accommodationandsignposting.Everyoneofthehometeammultitaskedforthecomfortofeveryoneelse,andthesuccessoftheevent,thisaddedtothededicationofthevisitingteam,hascontributedtoasuccessfuleventthathasreachesitsaimsanddelivereditsobjectives.

TheunderdevelopedinfrastructureinAlbaniadidcausesomeconcernregardinglossofelectricpower,andtheeffectthismayhaveonourlastminutepreparations,anduseofprojectorsasateachingdeliveryaid,butwithGod’sgracenoneoftheeventswereinterruptedordelayedbecauseofelectricpowercut.

Theeventwaswellattended,candidatescontributedwell,withalotofenthusiasm,theywerethirstyforknowledgeupdate.Attendanceatworkshopsleanedmoretowardsclinicalstations(e.g.inmycase:moreattendedthemusculoskeletalexaminationworkshop,comparedtothenumberwhoattendedtheworkshoponstressmanagementinGeneralPractice),Icananticipatethatinthefuture,whentheybecomemorecomfortablewithclinicalskillsissues,theirnaturalprogressionwillbetowardslookingatotherrelevantconceptse.g.management,administration,survivalandself-preservation

Ipersonallygainedalotfromthisexperience,Igainedfromtheknowledgedisseminatedbythetutors,andmorefromtheChristianpartnership,Theopportunitytoindulgeinindividualchatswithmanyofthevisitingandthehometeamshasbeenspirituallyuplifting

Greatexperience,GodblessallworkdoneinHisname,andallinvolved.

NassifAbd-Mariam

As the snow streaked past my aeroplane window and the flight shuddered to a halt, I could see the winter wonderland appearance to the hills around Sarajevo. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since the Winter Olympics held here in 1984. I had been invited to teach rheumatology to GP's and internists at Foca, part of the University of East Sarajevo. Sacha met me and escorted me to comfortable overnight accommodation where I listened to the pack dogs howling through the night and hoped they were not waiting for me in the morning. The drive to Foca was through gorgeous gorges and mountains, and then straight to teaching! Lectures, case discussion, and DVD on joint injections followed by a chance to practice using some simulator models I had brought. Maja, my main contact and assistant Dean translated with her impeccable English. At the evening clinic patients had been selected and the trainees gained confidence, in addition to 2 apples, one bar of Croatian chocolate and one bottle of homemade lemon juice provided by various grateful attendees.The Dean saw the potential in joint injection training and is keen to order models himself for the students and internists as a resource and we hope to facilitate further links via elective students or trainees.My colleague Dr Elaine Smith had the privilege of addressing the national GP conference amongst other work in Bosnia and our other team member form the UK Dr Elizabeth Swain was encouraging both medical and nursing students in palliative care and breaking bad news. Undergirding all of this was our desire to demonstrate both the compassion and wholistic care of Christ in the way we talked, examined, and lived while in Bosnia so that while knowledge and skills increase, there might also be an increasing awareness of whole person medicine, based on the model of Jesus.No snow in Scotland on my return, but warm memories.

Nigeria VisitIts almost 12 months now since Anthony Smith and Bill Ward left for Ibadan, Nigeria, 2 hours north of Lagos in Nigeria on the invitation of the CMDA of Oyo state to attend their AGM. They are based at the University College Hospital which is the main teaching hospital (and historically the original teaching hospital of Nigeria). We were made most welcome, their hospitality knew no bounds. We met Prof Oluwatosin, Mr Kayode Iyun and Dr Femi Olowookere who were the principal organisers. Before we left they had asked PRiME if we could take an MOU with us to seal our further working together. This was duly signed during the visit. Whilst we were there we delivered several session to the AGM, ran an afternoon for folk considering becoming PRiME tutors, a medical students session on communication skills and Anthony gave a keynote talk to doctors and nurses about palliative

care and Bill spoke to the Department of Family Medicine about Ethical Dilemmas both of which were received enthusiastically.The signing of the MOU resulted in our being invited to the ICMDA Pan-Africa Conference hosted by the Nigerian CMDA in July. Bill returned after visiting Sierra Leone and partnered Femi and Kayode leading parallel sessions on 3 afternoons in the Covenant University on Whole Person medicine. It was really difficult to know what to expect…well it is Africa. However whatever expectations we had were blown away when 120 attended the first afternoon (we’d planned for 30-40) 140+ attended the second afternoon (we planned for 100) and 120 + on the third afternoon (we stopped planning!). Granted 70% or so were students but they all joined in with the sessions which were incredibly lively and it was great to watch Kayode and Femi use their skills running some sessions. We were then deluged with requests to revisit and run full tutor training courses for many state CMDAs in Nigeria and also in Uganda! We therefore hope to go back sometime in the new year and run a full 3day tutor training session hopefully covering several state CMDAs so we get full courses. Sierra LeoneBecause the Pan Africa Conference was a fixed event, but we were only doing parallel sessions, we decided it might be best to see if we could combine it with another visit in West Africa when the Medical Director of Connaught Hospital in Freetown asked  Effy Gooding who’d know about PRiME and this Whole Person Medicine course? So we started in Freetown, 3 of us went, Bill Ward as lead, Matt Walters (anaesthetist from Derby) and

Gemma Sheridan (O&G reg from the Wirral). Effy Gooding made the course work by hosting us by proxy and we ran a course on Whole Person Medicine for about 16 folk from all parts of the health service, Connaught, Princess Christian MH , Ola During Children’s Hospital, family medicine as well as nurses and midwives. Also while we were there Bill did some scouting for the RCGP who have now committed themselves to a VSO link for two doctors for 12 months for 2-3 years. The course was very well received even to it was during exam time. We hope to return to Freetown in the new year. The photos  -2nd day shows some of the breakout session at the Pan –Africa conference on the second day.

-035 Course shows role play going on in the Freetown course

Regards Bill

PRIME Support Fund

The PRIME Support Fund, formed partly from PRIME general funds and partly from direct donations, is used to support healthcare professionals from low and middle income countries to run or attend PRIME courses and conferences.

Access to the fund is by application only. If you would like to make a donation to the Support Fund please visit our website to make an online donation or contact the office for other ways to make a donation.

Please ensure all Support Fund donations are clearly marked.

Teach,pray,loveinArmeniaSept2012

AswithallPRIMEtrips,wewenttoteach,weprayedforGod’sgraceandleadershipandweendeavouredtoshowJesus’sloveinallwedid.Itwasalsoanopportunityforpersonaljourneysofdiscovery,adventuresandfuninfellowshipwithotherChris1ans.

InSeptember,3tutorsJanet,LarriandMikeandMary(observer)wenttoArmeniatopresentthepenul1mate5daypallia1vecarecourse.DuringthesecondweekwetaughtinvenuesdistantfromthecapitalYerevan.

Armenia,anindependentdemocracysince1991,isborderedbyTurkey,Iran,AzerbaijanandGeorgia.Ithasapopula1onof3.3M.Theturbulenthistoryincludesinvasion,war,andmassivedisplacementofthepopula1on(Genocide1915).Itisalsosubjecttoearthquakesandin198825,000died.ItwashumblingtoteachatthehospitalinSpitok,theepicentreofthisearthquakeandseethereconstruc1onofthebuildingsandthetownbutwitnesstheon-goingpainintheheartsofthepeople.ThisChris1ancountry(since301AD)isdominatedbytheArmenianApostolicChurchalthoughtheevangelicalchurcheshaveincreasingaZendance.ACMA(ArmenianChris1anMedicalAssocia1on)wasourhostforandKris1naAlikhanyan(director)ablyarrangedourteachingvenues,translatorsandaccommoda1on.

Thetopicsincludedprostatecancer,haematologicalmalignancies,communica1onskills,spiritualityandethics.Larrisensi1velyledteachingonselfcareandbereavementandwholepersoncarewasthebasisofallthesessions.Mikerevealedhisconsiderableac1ngskillswhenhemobilisedpeopletoholdabroom,becomeclo\ngfactors,plateletsandul1matelyclots!

clo$ngmechanisms

Wealsorana‘sculp1ng’experien1alsessioninwhichpar1cipantsbecamethecharactersinanarra1vecreatedfromahomevisit.Thisillustratedthecomplexemo1onalresponsesofpa1entsandfamiliestoendoflifesitua1ons.Giventheusualre1cenceofArmenianHCPstopar1cipateinac1vi1estheyclearlyenjoyedthemselvesjudgingbytheirenthusias1cfeedback.TheACMAcommunitypallia1vecareteam(nurseanddoctor)wasalsoabletoseeusworkingasanurse/doctorteamonhomevisits,somethingthatisunusualinthehierarchicallyorganisedhealthcaresysteminArmenia.

Teachingvariedfromthe5daycoursetoavillagepolyclinic.Weplanned1-5hoursessionsandoaenneededtorevisethescheduleduringthesessionswhenotherpriori1estookover.Atapolyclinicitbecameclearthatourteachingwasdelayingthe71stbirthdaypartycelebra1onforthere1reddirectorandweweretheguests,noweattrumpedteach!

WehadaremarkableopportunitytowitnessforJesus.Whensi\ngoutsideachurchinYerevanwewereaskedby2youngmen‘doyouloveJesus?’Followingconversa1on(translatedbyourcolleagueMary)andwiththeirconsentweprayedtogether.Therewere

Letter to say thanks to Elisabeth Swain

I have known Elisabeth Swain since January 2008 and together we have organised 8 Palliative Care Courses in Lezhe and others in the nearby districts of Shkoder, Kukes and Peshkopi. Most of the trainings have been multidisciplinary.

It has been e very useful professional and social experience having Elisabeth in Albania to help and support primary care doctors to develop palliative care education.

I remember her since our first meeting with John Geater, PRiME International Director, during a coffee break, on the riverside in Lezhe, where we discussed the need for palliative care education among nurses, general practitioners and family doctors in Lezhe district. This was the day when we set up the partnership between PRiME and PCEC.

Since that first meeting we have been able to organize 13 palliative care courses with a general attendance of more than 500 health professionals from North Albania.

It seems to be a little thing but for small organizations like PCEC it has been a great achievement and Elisabeth has been the cornerstone of this project. I have found Elisabeth a very good person, a strong personality and a helpful teacher to work with.

The time with her in Albania has been a time of hard work, dedication and compassion for terminal cancer patients.

I wish her the best in her life and hope she will find the time and motivation to visit again Albania and Lezhe in the future.

Working with her during the last 5 years has helped me to change the way we see our patients not only the physical side of the problems but social, spiritual , psychological and familiar as well.

She has been also involved in family medicine education all over Albania, trying to help Albanian primary care doctors become more powerful in their education and clinical skills.

Her presence in Albania has made PRiME one of the most known medical international organizations in our country.

Thank you again so much Elisabeth for making the PCEC palliative care education program come true.

Blessings from Albert, Marinela, Age, Arti, Aferdita, Ndrec, and others .

Albert Leka

PCEC Program DirectorLezhe, Albania

PALESTINEPRIME was invited to spend a week in Palestine in May 2012.  As I have an interest in the Middle East, I took up the gauntlet and offered my services; predominantly for teaching management of rheumatic diseases in a patient centred fashion.  I was met by enthusiastic, interested and helpful doctors throughout my 1 week stay.  Dr Seema Biswas was my hostess and she looked after me very attentively and made the whole trip a success.  Essentially my timetable included carrying out lectures, seeing patients and teaching local doctors.  I also met the chairman of the Palestinian Association in Ramallah, the director of the United Nations hospital in Qalqilya and the director of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Hebron and have therefore forged many important links for any future visits.  Seema arranged for me to visit, the director of the physicians for Human Rights and I went with them to carry out a clinic in a school in Palestine.   My understanding is that most doctors specialise and that there is a dearth of primary care physicians.  In many ways the local pharmacists act in their place and that future educational advice offered by PRIME for this region ought to include the local pharmacists.  There is a possibility of carrying out mobile clinics in various smaller pockets of the region so that the very poor can be seen as transport and finances are both limiting factors for people trying to seek medical care.  The specialists in the secondary care setting are unable to easily able to obtain passports or visas thus making it very difficult for them to go to International Conferences.  Therefore another avenue for PRIME in this region would be to arrange a 1 week conference perhaps based in Nablus or Ramallah with different speakers embracing a wide range of specialities.   Many thanks.

Dr. Elaine C Smith MD, FRCP, DTM&H Consultant Rheumatologist AnumbervisitstoPales1newereundertakenin2012asapartnershipbetweenmedicaleduca1onins1tu1onsthereandPRIMEhavebecomeestablished.

FamilyMedicine

AtripinMayfocussedpredominantlyonteachingthemanagementofrheuma1cdiseasesinapa1entcentredfashionwithlectures,sessionsinoutpa1entclinics,seeingpa1entswithlocaldoctors,andonmobileclinicvisitswithlocalmedicalteams.

Anassessmentwasmadeofthelearningneedsfordoctorsinanenvironmentwheremostdoctorsspecialiseandwherethereisadearthofprimarycarephysicians.Inmanywaysthelocalpharmacistsactintheirplace.Futureeduca1onaladviceofferedbyPRIMEforthisregionoughttoincludethelocalpharmacists.Thereisapossibilityofcarryingoutmobileclinicsinvarioussmallerpocketsoftheregionsothattheverypoorcanbeseenastransportandfinancesarebothlimi1ngfactorsforpeopletryingtoseekmedicalcare.Thespecialistsinthesecondarycarese\ngareunabletoeasilyobtainpassportsorvisasthusmakingitverydifficultforthemtogotoInterna1onalConferences.Therefore,anotheravenueforPRIMEinthisregionwouldbetoarrangea1weekconferenceperhapsbasedinNablusorRamallahwithdifferentspeakersembracingawiderangeofspeciali1es.

Nursing

Localuniversi1esaretryingtoupgradethenursingdepartmentandtrainingschool.Healthservicesintheregionarelargelydeliveredbynursesandtheperceivedlowstatusofnursingasaprofessionandvoca1oncompoundstraining,professionaldevelopmentandadherencetostandards.Thereareopportuni1esforteachingvisitsfromPRIMEnursingtutorstotheregionandtodeveloppartnershipswithandundertakeclinicalaZachmentsinoverseasteachinghospitalsforspecialisttrainingandstudyforhigherdegrees.Surgery

Thereisagreatdealofgeneralsurgicalexper1seinPales1neandinordertomeetthecon1nualprofessionaldevelopmentneedsofthesurgeonswearetryingtofindopportuni1estoaZendcoursesorundertakefellowshipsintheregion.

The Singer, not the Song - the PRIME Tutor

The educational methods and ideas that PRIME promotes are known to have the potential to transform learners in positive ways that change medical practice for the better. However, whether they do so or not depends on the heart, attitudes and behaviour of the teacher(s) delivering them. Time and time again, our experience on successful PRIME trips and courses has been that there are two things that make a real, deep, lasting and sometimes transforming impact on the participants. These are: firstly the humility, openness and friendliness of the teachers to the participants, and secondly the caring, mutually respectful and collaborative way in which the teachers work together. By modelling the character of Jesus in these ways, PRIME teachers around the world have been used by God to bring fresh hope and inspiration for positive change to colleagues in many and diverse situations.

So we would like to respectfully make the following suggestions to all going as teachers with PRIME:• Go in humility – it is not what you know or your spiritual and academic credentials that are

important, but your willingness to be a servant of those to whom you go

• Go in brokenness – we are all weak vessels and must rely on God’s strength in our frailty and wounded humanity (‘there’s a crack in everything – that’s how the light gets in’1)

• Go in openness – to the other tutors you are with, to the participants and hosts you will meet. We all have things to learn, however much we think we know

• Go in expectation – that you will see Jesus in the lives of some of those you meet, that your thoughts and attitudes will be challenged, that you will be stretched, stressed, messed and blessed

• Go in faith – with people praying for you, that you will see God at work but perhaps not in the ways you expect or are used to

• Go in hope – that what you are doing will make a positive impact for good

• Go in love – it is a fundamental characteristic of all human beings, irrespective of education or culture, that they can tell whether someone is really concerned about them or not. If you don’t truly care about the people you are going to meet, it would be better to stay at home

(And the greatest of these is love)

So if you think you’ve got it all sorted out and can answer all the questions, see yourself as knowledgeable, authoritative and important, think you have a great deal to offer the less fortunate folk in less developed countries, are determined to stick to your own agenda and reluctant to let others review and comment on your educational material and style, we would honestly prefer that you did not work as a tutor with PRIME. But if you are only too well aware of your limited knowledge and your spiritual emptiness, your sometime fears, confusion and doubt, but are sure that in your own imperfect way you love Jesus and all the wayward people God has made in His own image (and know that He loves you), then we welcome you to join an adventure of faith that has been quietly changing health care education for the better all over the world. Be ready to look into the eyes of the people you are teaching and see hope, excitement and new vision as you follow your PRIME calling.1 Cohen, L. Anthem, The Future, Columbia 1992

With the extraordinary network of relationships PRIME has built with universities and training programmes, medical and nursing associations, mission agencies and other international bodies, it is possible for PRIME to play a significant world-wide role in restoring the heart of healthcare.There are many people in most, if not every country of the world who share PRIME's vision.

Join the PRIME Network and help fulfil the vision of a world where excellent compassionate whole person health care is available to all.

The PRIME Network Traditionally individuals have become involved in PRIME in one of two ways - tutors or supporters - and it is amazing to see how PRIME has developed and how the message of whole person healthcare has spread around the world.

However, if we are to see the vision of whole person healthcare become a reality we cannot do this with small groups of people travelling intermittently overseas to teach groups of students or graduates, even if those visits reach thousands each year and make an impact on them as individuals and the care they provide during their lifetime. This will still be a valuable part of PRIME’s work, but increasingly the emphasis is on building a network of Christian healthcare professionals in all countries of the world who are committed to practising and teaching compassionate whole person healthcare.

In this way we hope that the whole person medicine will become a movement that impacts the way healthcare systems operate across whole countries.

The PRIME Network is open to Christians and others in sympathy with the teachings and example of Jesus, in all countries of the world, who are involved in any aspect of healthcare training and who are themselves committed to practising and teaching evidence-based care that includes the psycho-spiritual relational dimension that leads to compassionate and altruistic care.

Network members will receive our monthly Whole-Care Bulletin, PRIME newsletters, advance notice of PRIME conferences and other events that might be of interest. We are also continuing to develop a special member’s only section of the website with publications, teaching resources and more.

Junior doctors in the UK face substantial challenges - taking on increasing clinical responsibility, managing shift patterns and frequent relocation, not to mention completing eportfolios and substantial amounts of paperwork. Whilst their work is both exciting and rewarding, some doctors find these challenges, with the secular focus of their training can put considerable strain on their faith.

With this in mind the Values Added programme developed by PRIME and CMF has been launched to help doctors in training infuse their daily practice with a Christian worldview. Small groups form ‘action learning sets’ to encourage supportive fellowship and reflective practice. In their regular meetings relevant topics are presented using recorded lectures and written material for joint discussion and subsequent practical application. Thirty topics have been planned arranged in six themed modules; guidance material is provided and references made available for later study.

The programme is built on a whole-person approach to medicine enabling participants to identify and address the spiritual as well as the physical, mental and social needs of their patients. A strong thread of Christian ethical thinking is incorporated that informs not just the ‘big issues’ but also the myriad of everyday ethical challenges of medical practice. The programme will equip and encourage younger doctors to practise and to teach skilled compassionate care for patients as people made in God’s image.

Values Added is a modular programme for junior doctors to add a Christian perspective to their standard training and give encouragement in its practical application to patient care and teaching.

To find out more: www.values-added.org

Values AddedIntroducing a new CMF/PRIME programme for junior doctors:

Wondering about coming to a PRIME conference?...

The lectures and interactive sessions were great - I gained a lot of new ideas for my own PRIME teaching, sometimes just little tips. Great to meet lots of wonderful people - not only PRIME top tutors, who are amazing, but also friends from [overseas], learning from them in informal discussions, sharing ideas etc. (UK)

Message of whole person medicine. The clear passion of facilitators for whole person medicine. The accessibility and humility of the facilitators. The chance for networking. The encouragement of being with like-minded people. (N. Ireland)Teaching, eating together and sharing... (Poland)

Good to hear about the Values Added course and think more about where that may lead. I came to learn more about PRIME and that I did! (UK)Loving environment filled with hope. Excellent lectures. Well organised discussions and facilitating. (Middle East)

The humanity and the lovely spirit of the group. (Middle East)The (course) was helpful and pragmatic as I have not had the planning skills or connections to do the amazing feats I hear of others doing. As a result I feel inspired and empowered instead of judged and condemned and clueless. (UK)

Fellowship. Multi-facet approach. Competence. Interaction. (Syria) Friendly attitude. Considerate, helpful people. Very good communication even before the conference started. Well-organised, practical course which is also challenging. (Egypt)

Diversity of cultures represented - fantastic! Validation for the path I have tried to tread. Vision for the future expanded, with a wonderful resource base to apply to. (UK)The deep level of openness and sharing between all the participants. Their vulnerability. Realising that one was not alone. Being healed of a sense that ‘I was outside PRIME!!’ which maybe I’ve carried for 10 years. (UK)

Sharing with others and hearing their stories. Being with so many like-minded people. Learning new teaching ideas, especially experiential work. The venue and food! (UK)All lectures were wonderful and I’ve learnt a lot. And also they were practical and I’m very passionate to use it during my teachings to medical students in my workplace. (Armenia)

A natural unforced recognition of Christian values in medical practice. Clear non-cynical recognition of Jesus in talks and discussions. Evident endeavor to unite Christian faith and life behaviour and clinical practise and teaching. Refreshing to hear Christian (Christ-like) principles applied to work and teaching. (UK)

A few comments from the recent Teaching to Change Hearts in Healthcare conference:

Watch out for forthcoming conferences in Europe (Autumn) and in the UK (Spring)

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Compassionate whole care - EthiopiaHaving trained as a General Practitioner in Scotland and New Zealand, I am familiar and greatly appreciative of the concept of Whole Person Medicine. It is something I put into practice every day and more so in the last three years working in the field of leprosy in Ethiopia. My patients have usually followed a tortuous route filled with stigma, rejection, misdiagnoses and various traditional and religious therapies, before they arrive at the clinic. The relief they feel when I listened to their whole story, give them a full explanation and answer their questions is the main reward of my day. This is an environment where practising medicine can be difficult: the patients are many, the clinics are busy, the space is limited, resources are very limited and hospitals are rarely patient-care oriented. Ros Simpson, senior PRIME tutor, asked me whether there really was a place for Whole Person Medicine when one is surrounded by all these problems. But

didn’t Jesus also work, teach and heal in a busy, frustrating and confusing environment?

I feel a restlessness amongst my Ethiopian colleagues: they want to be better doctors. I feel the answer lies in teaching Whole Person Medicine and thus providing other health professionals with an excellent role model. PRIME provides all this and I found the three day course so inspiring that I want to join the PRIME Tutors Network and especially be involved in promoting this positive way of practising medicine in Ethiopia.

Saba Lambert PRIME tutor

(compassionate whole care medicine in Ethiopia)