So I need to make a correction. This is GAP's first scientific congress. I think they have been hosting annual meetings for awhile.
Today was more interesting than yesterday! Thank God! We still managed to arrive an hour late. But that is normal here. We missed most of the first talk, but what I heard was interesting. They are trying to create a masters program in physiotherapy. The more education they can get, the better, but I hope they realize the importance of practical knowledge. I wrote that all over my conference evaluation form!!
They had 4 more research/evidence presentations. Cinderella presented on the community exercise programs her and Nancy, the other PT in Hohoe, have started. The two of them exemplify what a PT should be and act like. I hope I can continue to work with Cindy. She gets what it means to be a PT!
The next presentation was a case study. A PT decided to try out thermoplastic splinting after reading the research about it. She had success with it on a patient with a hand contracture. She wrote up a case study to show how successful it was and the cost effectiveness of it. I hate speaking in public, but I made sure to comment after her talk. I wanted everyone in the room to know that what she did was an example of evidence based practice. They all think they must be doing research in order to be an evidence based clinician. I hoped they understood what I was trying to say. It's not about doing research (not that it's bad), but it's about applying the research you read about into your everyday clinical practice.
The afternoon was 2 more interesting topics. One was on how to integrate physiotherapy technicians/assistants into the practice. The other topic was bridging the gap between Ghanaian therapists and therapists in other countries.
After the conference was over there was a dinner ceremony. I'm glad I went because at first I was going to leave to spend the evening with Patsy and Allan. It was fun seeing how the PTs and PT students interact. The students of course have their little inside jokes and showed up like they were going to a black tie dinner. The guys were all wearing bow ties. It's so funny how formal they dress in Accra. When I hangout with this group of people I forget I'm in a developing country. They played a few games. One of them was someone mimicked the faculty and everyone had to guess who they were trying to be. It reminded me of our faculty roast in our last year of school. The also had an Azunto dance off! I love the Azunto, but I'm always behind the beat so I will never be able to dance it. There was no alcohol so I didn't even try. Haha!
Tomorrow I go back to Kpando. I'm sad to leave Patsy and Allan. I feel like some of the goodbyes are a little more permanent now that I have only 4 weeks left. I really do plan to come back to Ghana, but financially it is something I have to plan for. My goal is to come and do an outreach program with Patsy and Allan and a CEU course with Step FaR every other year. I think that's realistic! I've fallen in love with the people of this country. Yes, some of the culture drives me crazy, but overall they are so friendly that you can't help loving them!!
Love, Kari
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