Second ASPED/ISPAD Diabetes postgraduate course; 12th-14th May, 2016, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

The second ASPED/ISPAD Diabetes postgraduate course is an intensive course initiated by the Arab Society of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (ASPED) in collaboration with the International Society of Pediatric and Adolescence Diabetes (ISPAD). The course is exclusively sponsored by Lilly, Gulf. The course was held in Abu Dhabi over 3 days. It was run by an expert group of faculty from 12 different countries. The faculty group consisted of 4 speakers from ISPAD, 13 speakers and mentors from ASPED. Candidates were selected following open competitive applications which was advertised by both ASPED and ISPAD. Strict enrolment criteria were agreed on by the ASPED/ISPAD course committee. 64 candidates (out of 142 applicants) from 12 countries were enrolled and attended the course. Course curriculum was delivered in the form of lectures, interactive sessions, case scenarios and research presentation in small group sessions. The themes of the curriculum featured; comprehensive diabetes care, diabetes registry (international and regional experience), dietary challenges, monogenic diabetes (international and regional experience), diabetes management in special circumstances (school, sick days and Ramadan fasting), diabetes complications; acute and chronic, psychology and patient empowerment, obesity and type 2 diabetes in children, novel therapeutic approaches and diabetes prevention and use of technology in diabetes management. The course ended with tasks to follow and recommendations. A task force of 7 members from 6 countries was nominated to initiate and follow up on the execution of the tasks. The main task was to start building up an ASPED diabetes registry amongst different Arab countries. Plans regarding curriculum, venue and course format for future annual courses will be implemented based on faculty and attendees feedback reports.