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In June 2006 there was an innovative collaboration in education between Croatia and the UK. The Kent Institute of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Kent has been involved in palliative care education in Croatia for over five years and in 2006 there have been two new developments:
• An undergraduate module on palliative care has been held at the Medical Faculty of the University of Zagreb, with the support of the Dean, Professor Nada Cikes, and Professor Davor Jezek. Tutors from Kent, together with local Croatian teachers, have provided an elective course for 12 students on the English Medical Course at the Faculty.
• A postgraduate course was also held for 15 health and social care professionals from throughout Croatia and Slovenia. Four tutors from Kent, led by Dr David Oliver, ran an introductory module on palliative care. It is hoped to continue this course with a further module in Croatia in 2007, supported by distance learning, so that the successful students will gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Palliative Care from the University of Kent.
These courses will support the development of palliative care services in Croatia. Since 1994 the Croatian Society for Hospice / Palliative care has been encouraging palliative care but at the present time there is only one volunteer groups in Zagreb, offering care and support to patients, and two other groups developing services in other parts of Croatia. There are plans to develop services more widely throughout Croatia.
Professor Anica Jusic, President of the Croatian Society ( EAPC Collective member) spoke of the future: “These courses will help to establish palliative care within medical training and the community. We hope that by education we will be able to develop services further. There will be a group of professionals with a greater understanding and knowledge of palliative care to support these new services”
Further information
Professor Anica Jusic
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