2018 marked the 40th Anniversary of the Edinburgh International Course in Medicine of the Older Adult. The course has increased in popularity over the years, and the 2018 course was sold out many weeks in advance of the event. A total of 107 delegates from across the world attended. The 2018 course was held in the elegance of the Great Hall at the College as the conference centre is being renovated.
There was a specific theme for each day, which were mobility, cognition, continence, frailty, and common co-morbidities. A variety of experts in their fields presented on these subjects throughout the week with interactive case-based discussions included within many of the presentations. For a flavour of the course and views from delegates and organisers, watch the video from 2016 on the international courses page.
Each year the associated social programme is an important part of the course. In 2018, this included a Welcome Reception and tour of the College’s historical buildings, our very popular evening medical history tour, and a course dinner. In addition to the social programme, two half-days allowed delegates to explore the beautiful city of Edinburgh. The weather in Edinburgh throughout the week was warm and sunny, and many delegates commented that Edinburgh looked even more magnificent in the sunshine.
The President, Professor Derek Bell, presented a special medal to Dr Roger Smith, one of the founders of the course and host of the evening medical history tour, in recognition of his role in the conception and development of the course since 1978.
The Brian Chapman Scholarship for 2018 was awarded to four doctors to mark the anniversary of the course. The recipients were Dr Arun Bhatt from India, Dr Apoorva Gopinath from India, Dr Sudeep Shrestha from Nepal, and Dr Paul Yonga from Kenya (further information about each recipient can be viewed via the Brian Chapman Scholarship webpage). This scholarship is awarded every year to candidates from a DfID priority country to enable them to attend the course.
Professor Andrew Elder is stepping down as Chair after many successful years running the course. We would like to thank Professor Elder for his major contribution towards the course. Dr Conor Maguire is taking over this role.
The next course will be held from Monday 20 to Friday 24 May 2019 (and will be followed by the new Edinburgh General Internal Medicine Course from Monday 27 to Friday 31 May).
Delegates can attend either the full course(s) or on a day-by-day basis. The programmes are currently under development and will be added to the Events Calendar in the near future. For further information contact Josiane Kirk for the International Course in Medicine of the Older Adult or Margaret Farquhar for the Edinburgh General Internal Medicine Course.
Dr Conor Maguire, Director of Education, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.
