Abstract
Looking back at UEG Week 2016
Reflecting on UEG Week, we have had yet again a stimulating scientific week with outstanding presentations covering a comprehensive diversity of topics in gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery. We have seen the most exciting developments in both basic and clinical science. This year’s UEG Week was special for me. I was honoured to represent the LIR!C study group by presenting the results of the LIR!C trial, comparing laparoscopic ileocecal resection with infliximab treatment for terminal ileitis in Crohn’s disease, for the first time. After 7.5 years of joint efforts of gastroenterologist and surgeons in participating centres in both The Netherlands and the UK, we were all excited that this abstract was selected in the top 5 best abstracts. Presenting the results at the plenary opening session generated a lot of attention for the results of the trial. It created a lively discussion at the conference, on mail and even social media, for example Facebook and Twitter. For me, it resulted in valuable new contacts, and subsequent invitations to present the results at local conferences. This will give me the opportunity to get to know more people and become involved in international research groups. In addition, this top 5 abstract prize comes with a financial contribution for future research. This will enable us to further set up the LIR!C II trial, comparing medical therapy and laparoscopic ileocecal resection in patients with newly diagnosed Crohn’s disease. With the attention generated for the LIR!C trial at the UEG Week, it will be easier to set up an international collaboration for the LIR!C II.
UEG Week for young researchers
There are several initiatives that make visiting UEG Week interesting for young researchers. The Young GI network provides the opportunity to exchange scientific ideas with senior experts and to take part in local, national and international discussions in a stimulating environment. You are able to expand your network and to meet fellow young researchers, gastroenterologists and surgeons. Often you get the most creative and innovative ideas by sitting together, discussing your ideas. UEG Week’s Travel Grant supports your travel to the conference.
New generation and leadership
We are a young generation of researchers in a rapidly evolving medical world with many opportunities ahead of us. Scientific involvement at a young age enables students to participate in high-quality studies, developing skills that will help them to become research-active clinicians in the future. 1 Throughout the past years, we have seen the formation of international collaborations, aiming at improving diagnostics and treatment strategies in gastroenterology and surgery. Some studies were driven by residents, young researchers, or even medical students. For example, this year the first Eurosurg snap shot study, an international, student-driven research collaborative, was completed by a group of medical students and surgical trainees from the UK, The Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Czech Republic and Turkey (www.eurosurg.org). 2 Eventually, 127 European centres collaborated in this study, with approximately 555 participating students and 305 qualified doctors. In over 6 weeks, about 2600 patients were included.
It is not only the scientific interest of our generation that is evolving. Leadership in healthcare has been a widely discussed and implemented topic. A new generation of doctors has risen, a generation that not only recognises the importance of medical leadership in basic medical training, but also wants to be actively involved in shaping their own medical training. Medical leadership was also added to the CanMEDS framework, an educational framework that describes the abilities physicians require to effectively meet the healthcare needs of the people they serve. 3 Education in leadership and management skills is currently implemented in medical school. Being a medical professional today not only includes physical examination, prescribing medication or performing surgery. Specific competences are needed to take responsibility for the quality of patient care, such as giving feedback, reflecting on your own performance, constant attention for improvement, time management and a transparent attitude. Recognising individual values and expertise of both male and female young medical professionals will improve healthcare and its scientific societies. It is increasingly important to exploit talent, regardless of gender, as much as possible, and to prevent the ‘waste’ of intellectual capital. From the business sector, we know that diversity in the boardroom affects creativity and productivity in a positive way.
Leadership and management skills will not only make us better doctors in times where we are forced to work more efficiently, but will also enable young medical professionals to fulfil leadership roles in gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgery in the future, perhaps already at a young age, maybe even at UEG Week.