When the patient takes charge of his illness – as seen in Pulsations TV No. 120 Sharing responsibility for your treatment – this presents a challenge for many people with chronic illnesses. 30 years ago, the GUH were pioneers in the development of therapeutic education. Based on patient motivation and involvement, this alternative approach to care, first used to manage diabetes, is now used for 35 other conditions. We find out more by hearing about the experiences of Claire, Stéphanie and Alex.

Heart failure is a very common condition, with approx. 15 million sufferers in Europe and 100,000 in Switzerland. It is the only cardio-vascular condition that continues to become more widespread every year. It is the main reason why people aged over 65 are admitted to hospital.

Several times each year, they find themselves 13.000 Km from home in a hospital in Laos. They come from Luxemburg, from Strasbourg, from Freiburg : they are surgeons, pediatricians, nurses, anaesthetists…

For one week, they operate on children suffering from heart malformations and they train a laotian medical team so it can become autonomous in a near future. Total immersion in Mahosot Hospital in Vientiane during one of the missions of Aid to Health Development.