WSU College of Nursing faculty in Vancouver recently hosted two nursing faculty members of Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand to learn more about palliative care and hospice care.
Associate Professor and former dean Sureeporn Thanasilp and Assistant Professor Ratchaneekorn Upasen visited southwest Washington through an ongoing partnership between the WSU College of Nursing and Thailand’s oldest and most prestigious university.
The faculty members worked on collaborative research projects with College of Nursing faculty and visited hospice and palliative care programs in the area. In Thailand, they lead a palliative care research team and most recently are completing work on a death acceptance scale for people with cancer.
During their time in Vancouver, they engaged in data analysis with College of Nursing PhD students Shandeigh Berry and Michelle Closner, as well as with Assistant Professor Andra Davis and emeritus faculty member Dawn Doutrich. The analysis resulted in outlines of four manuscripts. Other faculty participated via videoconferencing from Spokane, and for informal get-togethers.
Another trip is planned in January 2020 to continue research between WSU and Chulalongkorn University.
The visiting faculty were grateful to healthcare organizations in the Vancouver area for hosting them at local palliative care and hospice facilities, and for answering their questions. Thanks to Providence Health, PeaceHealth-Southwest, and Community Home Health and Hospice for participating in this important academic exchange.
Their trip to the United States concluded in San Diego where they participated in an international ELNEC (End of Life Nursing Education Consortium) training, accompanied by Davis and Closner. Their goal is to expand palliative care in their country. All in all, it was a very successful extension of work that has been growing in recent years between the College of Nursing and its Thai research colleagues.
