The III Balearic Meeting of European Residents & Young GPs

Photo: Residents and Young GPs member of Organizing and Scientific Committees.

español

On the 11th and 12th of September 2015, 100 Residents and Young GPs met at the Official Medical College of Balearic Islands (COMIB) in Palma de Mallorca (Spain), to take part in the III Balearic Meeting of European Residents & Young GPs, organised by the Balearic Society of Family and Community Medicine, with the collaboration of the COMIB, the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine (semFYC) and the Vasco da Gama Movement.

Under the slogan “Treasure Island”, adventurers from all Europe came to Mallorca to look for the long-awaited “treasure”. For that, they assisted to different sessions about sexual transmitted diseases, diabetes mellitus update, chronic renal insufficiency management in Primary Care (PC), alcoholic detoxication in PC, how to develop Community Medicine and symptoms management in palliative care. Also, they participated in workshops about minor surgical procedures, spirometry and respiratory therapies in pc, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in adults and children, and Emergencies in Pediatrics. Finally, delegates were divided into small groups to play a Medical Trivial Quiz.

On the other hand, during the event delegates were able to exchange experiences and compare different health systems and GP training programs in the different countries from where delegates came from. It should be pointed out that 10 European residents, went into consultation rooms in the health centers of Palma de Mallorca during the week before the meeting as an exchange, thanks to the collaboration of the Vasco da Gama Movement (VdGM).

Photo: Prof. Per Kallestrup (Keynote Speaker, Denmark), Dr Enrique Álvarez (President of the Organizing Committee).

The most awaited moment was the Conference Opening, which was carried out by Prof Per Kallestrup (Denmark), founder of Hippokrates Program of VdGM, and whose address was titled The Dynamics of Balance, How "Fire in the Eyes” prevents burn-out: It´s all about YOU - that left nobody indifferent.

It should also be pointed out that the event was organised without the participation of the pharmaceutical industry, and the official language was English.

Photo Opening Act (left to right): Dr Enrique Álvarez (President of Organizing Committee), Dr Alfonso Ballesteros (COMIB), Ms. Patricia Gómez (Regional Minister of Health of Balearic Islands), Dr Javier Castro (Secretary of semFYC), Dr Jesús Torres (President of Scientific Committee).

Thirty scientific abstracts were received - six of them were selected to be oral presentation and seven posters with oral defence. Among them, the presentation winner was Dr Javier Calvo (young GP, Spain) titled“B12 hipovitaminosis in elderly population”, and who was awarded with two registrations to the III VdGM Forum (Jerusalem, September 2016), courtesy of semFYC. In the best poster category, the winner was Dr Cristina Mendoza (GP trainee, Spain), with her poster titled “Primary Care Research in Santa Ponça Health Center”.

Dr Enrique Álvarez Porta, young GP and president of the Organizing Committee, said: “This third Balearic Meeting has definitely consolidated a special event, delivered fully in English, and without the participation of the pharmaceutical industry. We are offering a “low cost” format (70 euros, a commemorative present, coffee breaks, lunches and closing dinner included), which allows young GPs from around the world to attend, enjoying a very high level scientific program”. And he concluded: “The key of the organisation is the strong support of semFYC, IBAMFIC, COMIB and VdGM, and the feedback we receive from our colleagues, who encourage us to continue organising this event”.

For more information contact Enrique Alvarez Portaé enriquealvarezporta@gmail.com