Abstract
UEG Week has grown to one of the largest and most important international meetings in gastroenterology and hepatology. The great success is due to the high level of the scientific programme in terms of basic and clinical research as well as education focused on the best care of patients. Participation from leading experts, young researchers and attendees from around the world allow exchange of ideas and experiences in a unique international and multicultural atmosphere.
Evaluation of previous UEG Weeks showed that endoscopy plays a major role in clinical science and education. It is one of the topics which have been selected as the main reason to attend the meeting. However endoscopy should not be considered as a specialty which is separated from other topics in gastroenterology but is becoming increasingly integrated in a multi-disciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic approach.
Modern changes in flexible endoscopy have been mainly driven by a variety of new indications, technologies and economics. The selection of diagnostic endoscopic methods depends on the clinical setting which includes screening, surveillance of risk conditions for neoplasia or evaluation of symptomatic patients. The accuracy of lesion detection and characterisation has been increased by advanced imaging including panoramic view endoscopy and confocal endo-microscopy. Therapeutic progress has been made with regard to curative treatment of early GI neoplasia, benign and malignant gastrointestinal strictures, bleeding and management of complex of pancreatobiliary diseases. Selected areas of research are endoscopic treatment of obesity, reflux disease, motility and even metabolic disorders.
In consideration of this rapid progress in endoscopy, UEG Week 2014 offers a wide range of scientific and educational sessions for presentation of new technologies and procedures. Depending on the topic they will be either dedicated to endoscopy alone or integrated within a multi-disciplinary approach to GI disease as an alternative or complementary procedure to other diagnostic or therapeutic modalities. In addition to invited lectures, original presentations will be introduced by short lectures from experts in the specific field. Endoscopy and associated specialties will be also well represented in the poster exhibition. Poster Rounds will stimulate interactive discussions. The best posters will be selected by lead judges for poster champ sessions where authors will have the opportunity to summarize their work in short lectures followed by discussions in small groups.
In addition, always well attended special sessions will be dedicated to the best selected videos on new technologies, endoscopic methods and hybrid procedures. The presentations will be accompanied by moderation with experts who will facilitate interaction with questions and answers from attendees.
Another attractive feature is a joint symposium of Japanese and European endoscopists. Talks on specific topics will be delivered by young researches. This session allows exchange of ideas, new concepts and interim results of ongoing trials between Eastern and Western endoscopists. We can learn from each other in terms of research and further development of endoscopy for management of various gastrointestinal and biliopancreatic diseases.
One of the highlights of UEG Week 2014 will be live-demonstrations transmitted from the University Hospital in Vienna. World renowned experts will perform standard and advanced endoscopic procedures in selected patients. Interactive discussions between endoscopists, moderators and attendees are an important part of these sessions.
The live sessions are complemented by the learning area organized by the ESGE which has been well established at UEG Week. Pre-registered participants can perform a large variety of endoscopic and sonographically guided procedures in models. Expert endoscopists and nurses teach young gastroenterologists as well as experienced colleagues in basic, advanced and new techniques and application of new devices.
This broad spectrum of scientific and educational sessions offer therefore a unique chance for presentations, interactive discussions and teaching the latest techniques and an evidence-based approach to GI diseases in a multidisciplinary setting.
You should not miss this opportunity – come and attend UEG Week 2014 in the cosmopolitan city of Vienna.
UEG Scientific Committee Member
Professor of Medicine Head, Dpt. of Internal
Medicine Evangelisches Krankenhaus Düsseldorf
Teaching Hospital of the University of Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf, Germany