Training Workshops Centered on Play Therapy and Team Approaches to Care

Written by: Gretchen J. Carrougher RN, MN
From the field: Managua, Nicaragua

The morning began with a presentation by Lisa, our psychologist. The information she presented stimulated much discussion among APROQUEN, Physicians for Peace and ReSurge International about how team members can work together to benefit patients and their families. Later, I reviewed skin grafts, donor sites and related care to the local nurses – another topic that the APROQUEN staff specifically requested for this follow-up training workshop series.

At the end of the day, I participated in several bedside wound care procedures, which provided the opportunity to talk specifically about pain management and techniques to cover the burn wound. We also met with Dr. Ivette Icaza of APROQUEN to discuss the use of play therapy using a stuffed doll for the purpose of wound care and pre-operative education. The doll is a simple tool that can be individualized to each patient’s specific needs. The use of dolls has been shown to reduce anxiety.

We are looking forward to another busy day on Thursday, when Dr. Richard Gillerman and I will discuss ventilator management and care of the ventilated patient. More to come!

Note: For the second year in a row Physicians for Peace has come together with ReSurge International to deliver educational workshops and training to burn care professionals in Nicaragua. The team of volunteer medical educators will be working closely this week with APROQUEN, a well-known pediatric burn care foundation with a burn care unit in Managua. APROQUEN is a longtime partner of both Physicians for Peace and ReSurge.