Dubai Healthcare City and Harvard Medical International host third continous medical education

A distinguished multidisciplinary faculty will present updated knowledge on a range of topics in this field.

The two-day program, which will take place September 28-29th at the Godolphin Ballroom, Emirates Towers Hotel, in Dubai, has been organized by HMI and DHCC. Those participating in the conference will be awarded a 'Certificate of Attendance' by Harvard Medical International, awarding 14 hours of HMI-DHCC CME credits.

The UAE University has also granted accreditation of 14 hours of CME credits for the two day event on behalf of the Continuing Medical Education & Professional Development Committee of the University's Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences. In addition, The Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar has also accredited the program and will award 15 hours of CME credits to attendees.

"Specialty Practi-Med: Musculoskeletal Health and Sports Medicine is the third in a series of continuing medical education programs designed by HMI and DHCC to benefit the healthcare community and patients in this region. A distinguished multidisciplinary faculty of healthcare leaders will educate and inform conference attendees through keynote lectures, panel discussions, breakout sessions and case presentations." said Dr. Charles H. Brown Jr., MD, Course Director, Harvard Medical School.

"Around the world, health care leaders are encouraging people, both young and old, to be more active, as sedentary lifestyles are increasingly tied to chronic health problems like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease," said Omar Moawiyah Al Shunnar, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of DHCC. "With this in mind, HMI and DHCC are contributing to this global effort with a program to support those healthcare providers whose treatment and advice helps to keep us active."

This program will address the full scope of musculoskeletal health issues: common problems such as osteoporosis, fibromyalagia, and inflammatory joint disease; approaches to treatment, including rehabilitation and drug therapy; and the major issue stifling physical activity for many people, pain. The program faculty will educate and inform attendees through keynote lectures, workshops, and case presentations. Healthcare leaders in the UAE are eager to raise awareness of the threat posed by conditions like osteoporosis. In addition, Dubai's continued growth as a regional center of tourism and recreation has placed a greater emphasis on sports medicine.

Dr Charles H. Brown said, "One of the very unique aspects of Dubai Healthcare City in its design is the commitment to wellness programs and facilities, and providing services and education to enhance the quality of life for families. Our program in musculoskeletal health and sports medicine is a perfect compliment to those efforts."

Brown added that musculoskeletal problems account for between 10 and 20 percent of the patients seeking medical treatment in the United Arab Emirates, and are among the most common reasons that patients in the UAE request out-of-country referrals.

This Specialty Practi-Med program has been designed for orthopedic surgeons, physiatrists, and physical therapists. Primary care physicians with an interest in treating musculoskeletal problems and athletic trainers are also encouraged to attend.

"Dr. Brown and HMI have assembled an impressive roster of authorities in the field of musculoskeletal health and sports medicine, and worked with local leaders in medicine to design a program respondent to the specific concerns of physicians in the region," said Al Shunnar. "In addition to this program in September, plans are already underway to offer Practi-Med Dubai 2004 in December."

The Specialty Practi-Med faculty includes internationally recognized names such as William P. Docken, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Brigham & Women's Hospital, Zacharia Isaac, MD, Instructor in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School and Spaulding, Rehabilitation Hospital, Christopher P. Chiodo, MD, Instructor in Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital among others who will share their experiences on key topics such as Inflammatory Joint Diseases, Rehabilitation of Neck and Low Back Pain, Common Sports Injuries to the Knee, Foot and Ankle and also conducting workshops.

The first CME event hosted by DHCC and HMI, Practi-Med Dubai 2003, attracted more than 1,200 health care professionals to hear about advances in clinical practice. In May, over 200 healthcare professionals from the region gathered to hear the latest knowledge regarding the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes. Feedback from both conferences has attested to the power of these continuing medical programs to have immediate impacts on daily practice.

To date, Practi-Med programs have been delivered in Brazil, Japan, the UAE, India, and most recently, China. The goal of Practi-Med is to bring updated knowledge to primary care in order to support the efforts of those health care professionals who are on the frontlines of care.

In June, HMI and DHCC launched the Harvard Medical School Dubai Center, a postgraduate education and research institute that will foster the development of DHCC into a regional center of learning and discovery. The partners continue also to collaborate on the design of an academic medical complex that will serve as a globally recognized location of choice for health care services.