11 Mar My Trip to Denmark
I recently attended a Patient Centered Care seminar at the Ida Institute in Skodsborg, Denmark. The Ida Institute is an independent not-for profit organization located in Denmark and its goal is to explore the human dynamics of hearing loss. Through these seminars the Institute hopes to “create and share innovative knowledge to help hearing care professionals address the psychological and social challenges”, associated with living with hearing loss. Each year professionals from around the world participate in seminars on specific topics. The seminar series I attended focused on patient centered care which involved 3 days of interactive collaboration, reflective thinking and role playing exercises designed to allow the participants to practice some of the key components of delivering hearing healthcare services with a patient centered approach. Skills including conveying empathy, employing active listening skills and being mindful or present in the moment.
The seminar took place at a place called Villa Rex which has an interesting history. It was originally built by Denmark’s King Frederick VII, (1808-1863). He and his 3rd wife Countess Louise Danner, who was not of a royal bloodline, enjoyed spending their summers and vacations in Skodsborg. So they built the Villa Rex complex to hold state council meetings and other royal gatherings.