Young rheumatologists and researchers will find plenty of relevant content at this year’s EULAR Congress in Madrid, June 14-17, thanks to a dedicated presentation track. Other tailored opportunities include networking events, mentorship for first-time attendees to help them make the most of their EULAR experience, and a unique opportunity for small group discussion and networking with key opinion leaders in rheumatology in the so-called mentor-mentee meetings.
The Young Rheumatologists track provides three sessions with a special focus on researchers and clinicians who are early in their careers, Sofia Ramiro, MD, PhD, explained in an interview. Dr. Ramiro chairs the steering committee of the Emerging Eular Network (EMEUNET), a network of young clinicians and researchers in the field of rheumatology in Europe.
Dr. Sofia Ramiro
Another session will zero in on osteoarthritis, vasculitis, spondyloarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, with a shorter lecture format and more time left for a question-and-answer session and discussion. With a group of younger rheumatologists in attendance, “the sessions are somewhat more informal,” promoting a comfortable and interactive environment for discussion and learning, Dr. Ramiro said.
The third session in the Young Rheumatologists track will consist of case discussions focused on how to counsel and take care of women who have rheumatoid arthritis and would like to become pregnant. Two patient cases will be presented and discussed by leaders in the field. “Again, the idea is to make these presentations as real-world as possible,” Dr. Ramiro said.
The EMEUNET booth will be in the EULAR Village, and, for the first time, the booth will be incorporated in the EULAR booth, as a “pillar” under the bigger EULAR umbrella. Dr. Ramiro said to be sure to stay tuned for a surprise associated with EULAR’s 70th anniversary. On the evening of Thursday, June 15, EMEUNET will host a networking event.
On the morning of Friday, June 16, mentor-mentee meetings organized by EMEUNET link five to six young attendees with mentors, according to area of interest. Sign up is available online, allowing small group discussion with leaders in academic rheumatology. This year, meetings will be led by Iain McInnes, PhD (Glasgow, Scotland), Josef Smolen, MD (Vienna), and William Dixon, MBBS, PhD (Manchester, England). Mentorship topics can include the incorporation of research into a clinical career, general career advice, and insight into international collaboration, Dr. Ramiro said.
“These are usually very well-attended meetings and very popular,” she said. “People who have participated in them always give us very good feedback and are very enthusiastic about how easily accessible these very famous key opinion leaders are and what good advice they give to them.”
Finally, the Ambassador program helps first-time attendees get the most out of EULAR. “I think that we all know that the first time we attend such a huge conference the experience can be daunting,” Dr. Ramiro said. Now in its third year, the ambassador program pairs an EMEUNET member with up to six first-timers. The ambassador helps the newcomers decide which sessions to attend and remains available through mobile phone, social media, and the meeting app throughout the meeting.
All of EMEUNET’s activities during EULAR support the organization’s aim of “widening collaboration and fostering collaboration among young researchers and clinicians,” Dr. Ramiro said. “The ultimate aim is to improve and promote education in the area of our diseases and to foster research collaborations,” she said of the 1,500-member strong organization.