End of the conference, weekend, and travel

Day three of the conference ended in typical Ghanian fashion.  It started a little late (almost an hour), but everyone was very enthusiastic about the changes to be made, the final presentations, and the business meeting. We left during a short portion of the business meeting to see the local markets sights and sounds. 

Not much has changed from the last time I was at the market, but that rush and mixture of smells gets you very time.  Fresh butchered meat, drying fish, peppers, and spices all mixed together

The conference ended with lunch and goodbyes to old friends and new ones.

Our group took a taxi to Bosua Beach for the Asa baako festival.

We had a great time learning the different styles of music, dance, and fun.

We also got a great recommendation for a dive restaurant with amazing food for dirt cheap.

Some of the best seafood I have had 

A beach trip is how every conference should end!

We spent the last day in Ghana in a few taxis, buses, and finally a plane.

We did have a few hours in Accra and Kai's friends told her about an art gallery exhibit.

It was located at one of the nicest hotels I have ever seen. (The reception said a normal room is $450 per night... And that's in Ghana!) I have now seen both ends of the Ghanian life 

This experience was much different from my clinical experience in 2014. Less patient care, more education, and much different accommodations. 

I am already trying to find ways to come back next year!

Day 2

Today was a great day for me.

I was welcomed by Kai, JoJo, Anna and the other therapists with a Happy Birthday.

It is different spending the day far away and without family but it has been awesome at the same time.

Today was full of presentations. I gave a 20 minute presentation on clinical reasoning and the thought process of patient care.  It was awesome to see everyone engaged and listening. I was banking on the Ghana time and guessed they would not mind if I went over on my time but halfway through I was given the 3 minute warning.  Finished a little rushed but having 3 groups of therapists come up to me after to wish to speak more about the model really made it all worth it.

Right before lunch Kai gave a very educational lecture on international

Outreach and how the Ghanaians can help develop programs in their local communities and neighboring countries that are not as advanced as Ghana.

JoJo also had many people come to her poster and educate them on her doctorate research

Went with a fork and knife lunch today and had a conversation with our group as well as Anna and Pam about politics, PT development and growth.

Right before lunch started a young PT came up to me and presented a case he was having trouble with at home.  We went through the subjective and objective information as well as the current treatment plan. We also went over some new ideas with manual and neuromuscular re-education.  I never knew that 3 chairs could work so well as a treatment table.

After lunch I gave a 1:45 lecture to the Physical Therapy assistants.

We spent time talking about the structure in America, frustrations, and ways to improve competence. We spent time talking through cases, trying to make them think big picture and more patient centered.  We did a breakout to work on early patient management which was something the group said they loved after we finished.   The session ended with education on mentorship and the benefits of using mentors. The current PTA president spoke to the group and gave his contact information to everyone.  For being a last minute session I feel it met the goals of the PT's, PTA's, the conference, and my own goals for education 

End the afternoon with a beer on the 3rd floor taking it all in.

I thought the night would end there but we had a reception for the conference. The executive committee of the Ghana physiotherapy association had a cake made for me and the whole group sang happy birthday. It was amazing!  After we had a celebration, dancing, food, and the outstanding physios were awarded certificates.  At the end Kai, JoJo, and myself were given awards for our contributions which was so nice of them.

A few of us went to a local place to talk and enjoy the rest of the night

All in all a busy but great day!!

Conference day 1

The day started much like my days in the US. I was able to get to the gym for a workout before everything started.  The gym was a challenge but I made it work. The electricity is so weak that the treadmill would randomly slow down so I had to hold one to keep from falling off. The equipment had to be over 40 years old and most of the pieces were broken

After the gym I went to breakfast and registered 

A total of about 75 PTs and 30 PTAs registered for the clinic.  They have about 350 PTs so that ratio is pretty impressive.

The opening ceremonies were fantastic. The African president of the world confederation of PT, regional medical director, and the regional minister all attended. The keynote address was done by Anna. She really did a great job expressing the importance of woman's health 

Kai (a colleague, friend, and mentor) who works at Mary Baldwin College in the DPT program gave a great lecture on PT education for community based help.  Three Ghanians finished out the morning presenting their research on woman's health, Parkinson's, and low back pain.

I was fortunate to eat some amazing fufu for lunch (cassava and plantanes mashed into a dough consistency with a red soup ,goat and fish).  It is my favorite Ghanian meal. Most white people do not like this dish it know how to eat it so I turned a lot of heads when I ate it with my white dress shirt (didn't spill a drop)

The afternoon consisted of my 2 hour breakout on child handling to promote milestone development.  The audience was very engaged and laughed at all of my jokes so I think I talked slow enough for them to understand me.  JoJo (a second year Mary Baldwin student) and Kai gave a workshop on perinatal exercises which also had great feedback from the audience.

After the conference I had some great conversation with the African president of the confederation and a therapy who owns a private practice in Accra who studied her PT in Germany ( she is half German and half Ghanian)

At night my two friends from Work the World, Joe and Frank met me at the hotel.  We had a great night talking, eating, and catching up.  I missed my Ghanian family.

Ghana 2016 Physiotherapy Conference: Arrive in Accra

After 24 hours of travel I finally made it to Accra.  The flights were ok and I got to meet a few people.  I also was able to spend time reading, working on my presentations and catching up on things after my exam.

I met a family who was headed back to Ghana for the first time in 12 years.  The ladies niece was getting married and in a Ghanaian wedding usually 300-600 people are in attendance so she was making the trip with her family 

I only spent. Few hours in Accra but was able to see some stores and walk around. I spent about 15 minutes talking about religion, life, and service with this painter.  It was a great experience and we both came away with a new perspective 

At the store we learned that you can knock off any product and just change the name.  No worries about copyrights haha

I ended the Accra experience at a private physiotherapy clinic that is ran by one of the head ladies of the physiotherapist association.  Anna has been a PT for over 30 years.  She left Ghana at 19 for Europe to learn PT and after

Working for awhile moved to Canada and started her own clinic. She spent 20+ years working and developing the woman's health programs in Canada.  In 2009 she returned to Ghana and is now teaching at the physiotherapy school and owns her own clinic.   I spent most of the 4 hour bus ride from Accra to Takoradi picking her brain about life.

We got in late and I was able to get a meal before going to bed but that was about it.

So far most of the trip has been traveling but I am excited about the conference starting tomorrow.