IAMP tackles a void in medical education: leadership

Abstract

1 Legrand M, Mateo J, Aribaud A, et al. The use of dabigatran in elderly patients. Arch Intern Med 2011; 171: 1285–86. 2 Connolly SJ, Ezekowitz MD, Yusuf S, et al. Dabigatran versus warfarin in patients with atrial fi brillation. N Engl J Med 2009; 361: 1139–51. 3 Connolly SJ, Eikelboom J, Joyner C, et al. Apixaban in patients with atrial fi brillation. N Engl J Med 2011; 364: 806–17. 4 Patel MR, Mahaff ey KW, Garg J, et al. Rivaroxaban versus warfarin in nonvalvular atrial fi brillation. N Engl J Med 2011; 365: 883–91. 5 Eikelboom JW, Wallentin L, Connolly SJ, et al. Risk of bleeding with 2 doses of dabigatran compared with warfarin in older and younger patients with atrial fi brillation: an analysis of the randomized evaluation of long-term anticoagulant therapy (RE-LY) trial. Circulation 2011; 123: 2363–72. developed through peer and senior faculty interactions. Participants from developing countries acknowledged challenges of limited resources and infrastructure. For example, one participant had been asked to start a centre with US$30 of funding. Common challenges in the developing and developed world were the diffi culty of breaking down silos, and that politics, as well as preference for seniority over talent, can often get in the way of success. Participants from all countries shared diffi culties in gaining credibility as young leaders and breaking into established hierarchies. Most important from this experience was the sense that the world is small; that the goals, aspirations, and challenges of our junior faculty remain similar despite vastly diff erent cultures and access to resources. Having pioneered this YPL programme for the young physician leaders, the next issue to address is the programme’s future. The IAMP executive board members will continue to work as personal mentors for each inaugural YPL member, providing their insight and guidance on future career decisions and linking them to other professional leaders in their fi elds. The inaugural class of IAMP’s YPL leadership programme felt that the workshop was a success and the IAMP asks for its member academies to continue supporting these young leaders as they return to their countries and support an annual programme and development of a growing network of young physician leaders. These eff orts will help address the dearth of leadership training programmes for young academicians and nurture them as they learn to shape global health policy for millions in need.