Page 27 - QARANC Vol 16 No 2 2018

THE GAZETTE QARANC 25
Deployment to Pakistan – Op PANAKA – An Educator’s Experience!
In April 2018 eleven clinicians and one educator were deployed on Op PANAKA (Pakistan) on a defence engagement project for six weeks. We were a mixed group including nurses, medical officers, an operating department practitioner, healthcare assistants and a lecturer (higher education). I was deployed in the latter role. We were to work at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Rawalpindi Garrison and were accommodated at the British High Commission. Our objective was to support the overarching mission in defence engagement and I had objectives within the education piece working within the Armed Forces Postgraduate Medical Institute and the College of Nursing. Whilst some of my colleagues had deployed on Op PANAKA, this was a new experience for me. I was looking forward to the opportunity to share our practices within such a diverse culture and different settings.
The opportunities for what we could offer our Pakistani colleagues and learn from them in return, were endless. It was fascinating to share our respective curriculums and to see education and training in practice. The Armed Forces Nursing Service, whilst not structurally dissimilar from our Corps, was trying to find a professional voice within the cultural constraints of being an all- female service, and accountable to medical officers for their practice. I was inspired to be asked to teach on evidence-based practice, writing for publication and leadership in nursing to promote nurse empowerment, with a view to enhancing their professional credibility. Teaching in the College
Op PANANKA participants
Major Alison Cripps with members of staff of the Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Garrison / Armed Forces Postgraduate Medical Institute and the College of Nursing
of Nursing and the hospital was very enjoyable. The nurses were knowledgeable with enquiring minds and most receptive to different teaching styles! In addition, they had a wonderful sense of humour which always helps in a teaching setting!
Teaching and advising in the clinical areas was also a new experience. Practices were certainly different and it was a challenge to promote the concepts taught in the College, relating them to the bedside. The Pakistani chain of command was, however, keen to share ideas and were receptive to any proposals we may have. This also gave us ample opportunity to reflect on our practice and gave a fresh perspective to our concerns and work in the UK. It was also imperative that we left a footprint behind to ensure sustainability of our work outputs. A key component for the education piece was the implementation of a mentorship programme to support training in the clinical areas. This began with a course to ‘train the trainer’ and a
pilot programme to address the first ten candidates to educate as mentors. The aspiration was to develop the course at degree level, ratified by the National University of Medical Sciences.
I am delighted to say that true to form military personnel were always going to find time to have some fun! With accommodation at the High Commission, we made good use of the tennis courts, gymnasium and swimming pool. For some of us ladies our interests might have been more focused on sitting beside the pool than actually being in it! This was, however, countered by walks in the hills (with very early starts) arranged by our military colleagues at the High Commission, who also kindly facilitated trips into Islamabad and the occasional restaurant, security constraints allowing. Their welcome and hospitality was greatly appreciated. As a result, the time flew by and I look back on what was a hugely valuable professional and personal experience.
Major Alison Cripps