Regional medical institutions to support medical education symposium - 'Specialty Practi-Med Dubai: Musculoskeletal Health and Sports Medicine'

The programme aimed at developing practical solutions to address one of the Gulf Region's most pressing healthcare challenges has been granted accreditation by leading local and regional medical institutions.

The Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar, has granted upto 15 credit hours for this educational activity, the Saudi Council for Health Specialties has granted up to 8 hours, the General Health Authority in Abu Dhabi has granted up to 13 hours and the Continuing Medical Education & Professional Development Committee of the United Arab Emirates University Faculty of Medicine and Health Science has granted up to 14 credit hours for this educational activity.

The participating departments and institutions stressed the importance of the 'Specialty Practi-Med: Musculoskeletal Health and Sports Medicine' programme, which is third in a series of continuing medical education programs designed by HMI and DHCC.

Omar Moawiyah Al Shunnar, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of DHCC said, "The support that the Specialty Practi-Med Programme has received form leading health departments and institutions in the world will definitely add to the quality of the practical programmes being organized by DHCC and benefit the healthcare community and patients in this region."

He added, "The Specialty Practi-Med Programme is part of a series of programmes that the DHCC organizes to inform and educate the medical practitioners so that their skills and knowledge can keep pace with the ever changing health care systems in the world."

One of the conditions that will be discussed at the Medical Conference will be rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic disabling condition that affects around 1 percent of the people in the United Arab Emirates. The disease, which tends to strike between the ages of 20 and 40, causes joints to become so inflamed and stiff that within 10 years of onset, half of the people develop it are unable to hold down a full-time job, according to the World Health Organization.

There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. But thankfully, there are new medications that can profoundly influence the course of the disease. These advances in drug therapies will be the subject of a lecture at "Specialty Practi-Med Dubai: Musculoskeletal Health and Sports Medicine,"

Dr. William P. Docken, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, will present findings that can help clinicians distinguish rheumatoid arthritis from other forms of arthritis. In addition to discussing new medications, Docken will discuss findings that can help clinicians make the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. "The proper diagnosis of rheumatoid disease is now of great importance, because we have highly effective therapies that can prevent joint progressive joint damage and the resulting loss of function." Docken, who directs the Orthopedic and Arthritis Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital, will also discuss gout, the most common form of inflammatory arthritis in men, and osteoporosis, a common bone disease. Once thought of as untreatable, osteoporosis has witnessed a "remarkable expansion" in new treatment options, said Docken.

Advances in diagnosing and managing lower back pain will also be the subject of a lecture at 'Specialty Practi-Med Dubai'.

Dr. Zacharia Isaac, instructor in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, will discuss how to examine, diagnose, and treat patients with lower back pain. Dr. Isaac will also discuss advances in neck pain diagnosis and management. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) is the field of medicine that focuses on restoring functional living.

In addition to neck and back injuries, the program will address the full scope of musculoskeletal health issues, including knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand problems, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis. The program will focus on both prevention and treatment of these conditions.

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.

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.