Healthcare Conference opens this week

CNS Editor | 27/10/2015

The 2014 Healthcare Conference

(CNS): The sixth Cayman Islands Healthcare Conference is taking place from 29-31 October at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. In addition to listening to presentations from some of the world’s top healthcare professionals, attendees will also be able to participate in one of three interactive workshops on the topics of mental health, non-medical therapies and end-of-life decisions.

The theme for this year’s conference is “Embracing Emerging Trends”, with a strong focus on allied health, alternative therapies, mental health, cancer, cardiovascular care, end-of-life decisions, palliative care and planning healthy communities. The three workshops will run concurrently on the afternoon of Friday, 30 October.

“Mental Health – Let’s talk about it” will take a look at mental health from a variety of perspectives. Panelists include The Wellness Centre’s Shannon Seymour and Dr Marc Lockhart, chairman of the Mental Health Commission, as well as Annikki Brown of Generali Worldwide, who will provide insight into insurance coverage for mental-health treatment. The education component will also be explored with representatives from the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education participating in discussions surrounding whether mental health should be considered a social, education or health issue.

“Beyond Medicine: Taking a look at non-medical therapies” will provide a forum to discuss why non-medical therapies should be used, how effective they are and who should be responsible for paying. This workshop will cover non-medical therapies such as acupuncture, music therapy and talk therapy. Among the speakers on this panel will be Dr Adrian Legaspi, medical director of the Advanced Surgical Oncology Network, with Tenet Florida International, who is well versed in non-medical therapies.

“I look forward to bringing a true clinical perspective to the topic while supporting and objectively speaking on the subject,” Dr Legaspi said.

“End-of-Life Decisions – Some of the most important things to consider” will address the difficult decisions that need to be made around implementing a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate). This workshop will include panellists that are experts in palliative care, law and ethics, including Dr Virginia Hobday, medical director of Cayman HospiceCare, and Graham Tully, a nurse manager at the Health Services Authority.

These workshops will offer a platform for both delegates and stakeholders to exchange ideas and learn about the latest efforts and emerging trends in the three areas covered.