After one month of volunteering, Keri ended her stay with Speech and Swallowing Therapy Cambodia (SSTC). We will miss really miss her! SSTC and the hospital clinicians that she supervised all appreciate her time and great effort on behalf of Cambodia.
Keri knew that she would find that Cambodia’s culture surrounding healthcare differs from the US healthcare system, but she was surprised by the most impressive difference—how very involved family members are in the patient’s care. From assisting with feeding to being ever present for education, Keri found that the presence of family members made dysphagia education and strategy training so much more effective than in settings she is used to.
Here in Cambodia, the clinicians’ dysphagia management in the hospital gets taught to families immediately for improved carryover upon discharge. She told us that she has learned so much and she is eager to bring this knowledge back to her country and hospital.