This week, the Poniente University Hospital resumed the School for Breast cancer Patients classroom with two sessions for patients with this disease. The unique feature of this school is that its teachers are also patients who have been through the same process. In fact, the Andalusian Schools of Public Health trained them so that they can instruct and help.
The School for Breast Cancer Patients’ first session was a chance for patients to receive recommendations on how to manage their disease. This included resolution of any doubts and focusing on aspects of recovery. It’s about giving patients the chance to talk about how their disease has affected their lives and the ‘circle’ of consequences and what they can do.
The second session covered guidelines for adequate exercise for breast cancer patients, rest guidelines, and tips to improve your physical appearance, family, and couple relationships, and how to stay healthy throughout the disease process.
The sessions ended with the sharing of experiences and expectations of all attendees with health professionals.
These workshops allow people to meet expert patients, who can speak their language without technicalities. They have been through similar situations and understand their problems. Then they are able to teach them using written and audiovisual materials that are easy to understand and attractive. Three health professionals from Poniente University Hospital are the expert patients: Ana Lorenzo, Carmen Maria Ibanez and Salome Pinilla.
The Ministry of Health and Families has initiated the School for Patients. It is coordinated by the Andalusian School ofPublic Health (EASP). This initiative was created with the goal of providing training for professionals, patients and caregivers who directly experience or suffer from disease.
