Highlights of SPEEDCON2020
The Society for the Promotion of Education in Endocrinology and Diabetes (SPEED) was born out of a yearning to create an academic platform encompassing super-specialists, general physicians and community at large. Laying its roots in 2014, SPEED is the collaborative effort of a group of young endocrinologists. The objective of the society is to promote evidence-based and updated endocrinology practice through educational interactions among the different echelons of our society. SPEED-CON2020 was the third annual conference of the SPEED. Held 1–2 February 2020, it was the largest endocrinology event in India, covering diverse practical and pragmatic issues concerning endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism.
Since endocrinology is branch of medicine which virtually covers the whole body from head to toe, collaboration with other specialities for optimal patient care is maximally seen in endocrinology. Hence, special dedicated cross-talks and symposia were organized at SPEEDCON2020 for better interdisciplinary coordination. These included Dermato-endocrinology symposium, Osteocrinology symposium, paediatric endocrinology symposium and gynaecologic-endocrinology symposium, targeting better synergy for patient came between endocrinologists/physicians with dermatologists, orthopedicians, paediatricians and gynaecologists. The consensus meeting on the role of bariatric surgery in diabesity was hugely successful. The inputs from Dr David Cummings, USA, and bariatric surgeons were well appreciated. Panel discussions with dieticians and diabetes educators helped to bridge the gaps in treatment practices.
The Dermato-endocrinology symposium focussed on treatment challenges in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), skin manifestations in diabetes and diverse endocrinopathies. The Osteocrinology symposium focussed on pitfalls in managing metabolic bone disorders, vitamin-D use and misuse, rheumatologic manifestations of diabetes, newer treatments for osteoporosis, hypophosphatemia and myths regarding optimal management of hyperuricemia. Paediatric endocrinology symposium focussed on neonatal endocrinopathies, challenges in managing precocious puberty, rickets and diverse set of paediatric endocrinopathies. A special Meet The Professor with Prof Zvi Laron, who pioneered treatment of growth hormone resistance was a huge hit among the audience. The gynaecologic endocrinology symposium focussed on optimal management and challenges about diabetes and thyroid disorders in pregnancy, current status of metformin use in pregnancy, ovulation induction strategies in PCOS, obesity and menopause among a diverse set of other topics.
The general endocrinology session covered practical issues like air pollution and diabetes, intermittent fasting, social media and the doctor, digital diabetology, glycaemic happiness, pragmatic selection of cooking oils, protein restriction in diabetic nephropathy, errors in diabetes classification, myths regarding probiotics in diabetes care, debates in ketogenic diet, treatment targets in diabetes care, patient centred approach to obesity, hypopituitarism, endocrine labomas, prescription errors in diabetes and hypertension care, gut microbiota and diabetes and lectures on pharmacotherapy in diabetes
The book launch of The Insulin Manual was very well received by the audience. It covers all practical issues and challenges with insulin use in practice. It was the second original book publication from the SPEED group under the editorship of Dr Sameer Aggarwal and Dr Sanjay Kalra, having a diverse set of authors from across the globe. The SPEED oration this year was given by Dr Rajiv Singla who spoke on artificial intelligence in diabetes and endocrinology care.
To summarise, SPEEDCON2020 went from strength to strength. The number of doctors attending this conference was 2,500 this year, a significant jump from 1,800 doctors who attended the conference in 2019. SPEEDCON has truly established itself as a benchmark endocrinology event in the academic calendar of this part of the globe.
For more information visit: www.speedbharat.com
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Published: 21 February 2020