Last days and return home

The second post-conference day was quite intense as I anticipated. I skipped the evening picnic at the lake to work on my contribution for the short presentation the next day (Sat). Each group presented their vision or outline for their chapter (our group's topic was usability requirements for personal health information management systems). We also discussed a plan to get this document out quickly (early fall). Immediately after lunch we boarded a bus bound for Helsinki. After some sincere shopping and a creme caramel ice cream cone in the afternoon, I had a lovely dinner with Sue and Patti and her family. Today was the trek home. I'm going to sleep now! This is my last post for awhile; thanks for reading!

First real working day at post-conference

Again it was a beautiful warm and sunny day here at Vanajanlinna Castle. The scenery is very much like northern Wisconsin, except that there are no mosquitoes! I was very happy that no bugs or owls or bats flew into my room last night as I slept with the windows wide open.

I had a very special experience today. This post-conference working group is divided into 6 smaller groups, and each is discussing an aspect of the developing personal health information system. Our group of 4, led by Sue Bakken, a well-respected nurse informaticist from Columbia University and close friend of Patti's (my advisor) is our fearless leader. During the opening session this morning each of the six group leaders did a short presentation on their topic (ours is usability issues). Imagine my surprise when one of the other presenters quoted me on a slide in their powerpoint presentation!! I was shocked! Patti glanced over at me and smiled.

Tomorrow will be another very intense day. When I was signed up for this conference I thought that I would be mostly taking notes, and perhaps putting together a document with much supervision. However, now I think that it will be much more of a collaborative effort in regards to writing our section on usability. And, I have to confirm this tomorrow, but I think that I might be writing a short section myself! Patti sent out an outline of the final document this afternoon, and I see that it has a section entitled "Patient Voice and Learning to Listen". Hmmm. :)

at the castle

We arrived at Vanajanalinaa castle about 6 pm. It is more than a single building! The first picture shows the main building where we are holding our meetings (and eating). Some conference participants have rooms in this building. Others of us are in a building that is about 300 meters away from this--the same building that houses the pro shop! You can see the golf course in the second picture. My room reminds me of a large dorm room, certainly adequate, not opulent. I've included a picture of the toilet, as I'm sure you'd all like to know what a toilet in a castle looks like!

There are 31 participants here from 19 countries. Tomorrow we begin our small group work. There is a semi formal dinner tomorrow night at a Town Hall. I have met some very interesting and wonderful people here. I shared the 1.5 hour bus ride with Ragnhild Helleso from Norway; she and I have very similar thoughts about many things. And I sat next to Anna Ehrenberg from Sweden during our short evening meeting and then dinner. I am so impressed that most of these people speak 3-5 languages. Everyone is so nice.

Dinner tonight was bread and greens, a pasta salad, smoked herring, a pork (?) roast in gravy and rosti. Dessert: blueberry tart and a meringue filled with custard.

It is warm here! There are no screens on the windows and I have my windows open wide, and of course it is light outside. I must go to sleep so that I can be fresh for our 8:30 meeting.

Talk done!

Sorry there's no picture here; I've been inside for most of the time, even though it's been gorgeous outside! My talk was this morning, and it went pretty well I think. I've had some positive feedback about content ( "I love your topic! I can't wait to hear more about your work!") and delivery ("You looked so calm!"). Best of all, Patti squeezed my arm and said, "Beautiful-- so scholarly and so human at the same time. Well done."

This must be heaven. :)

Will be celebrating with much chocolate and tea when we get home late this afternoon!

at the Nursing Informatics Conference in Helsinki

Just heard David Bates speak at morning keynote. Am now in conference room ready to listen to a series of talks on patient preferences. I've met some great people--future colleagues. More later!

Back in Helsinki

We slept 12 hours last night! Boy, did that feel good. It is a bit overcast today, but that did not stop us from exploring the city of Helsinki and finding chocolate and bargains. We have decided that Fazer chocolate is our new health food.

St. Isaac's Cathedral

St. Isaac's is the 4th largest cathedral in the world (so I'm told). Because of the climate in St. Petersburg, a decision was made to have the artwork be in the form of mosaics. The center dome (below) is 110 meters high, and houses a plaster dove that has a wingspan of 6 meters.