Hundreds of people attended the Royal College of Physician’s London home this week and more than 1,000 tuned in online for one of the key events in the RCP conference calendar, Med+.
Bringing together specialists, industry leaders and other healthcare professionals, Med+ offered a wide range of discussions providing members and fellows with expert knowledge within and outside their main specialists.
Across the two days, attendees enjoyed the latest updates in acute, general and specialty medicine, interactive sessions and workshops, and networking opportunities with the RCP’s community of healthcare professionals.
In total more than 100 speakers from across the RCP’s regional and international networks provided delegates with more than 20 hours of essential clinical learning.
Held as a hybrid event, Med+ is also now available on demand until 1 February 2024, meaning even if you were unable to attend, you can still catch up on these insightful speeches and conversations.
Day 1
Generalism vs specialism
Med+ 2023 began with an introduction from RCP president Dr Sarah Clarke and an opening session with the chief medical officer for England, Professor Chris Witty and clinical vice president of the RCP, Dr John Dean, for the opening keynote lecture.
They explored how physicians’ breadth of skills can best meet the needs of patients and the RCP’s position on the role of specialists and generalists in healthcare.
Cardiology
Dr Sohaib Nazir, Dr Sarah Clarke, Dr Matt Ginks Dr Ayish Khan-Kheil and Dr Tom Kaier held a fascinating discussion on atrial fibrillation, heart failure and acute coronary syndrome.
Managing unwell patients
Dr Andrew Rochford and Dr Mariyam Adam chaired a panel joined by Dr Alison Tavare, Dr David Green and Professor Matthew Inada-Kim who discussed managing acute deterioration in virtual and community settings, acute kidney injury and how using commissioning for quality and innovation can help to improve patient care.
Working across organisations boundaries
RCP’s clinical vice president Dr John Dean, Dr Conor Tweed, Sarah McClinton, Professor Kamilla Hawthorne, Dr Clara Day and Professor Phil Kloer explored primary, secondary and social care and how we can all work together to support patients.
Respiratory Medicine
Professor Onn Min Kon and Alison Armstrong was joined by speakers Dr Helen Ward and Professor Nick Maskell for a thought-provoking discussion on approaching the investigation and management of the chronic breathless patient and how to manage pneumothorax, pleural infection and the undiagnosed pleural effusion on the medical take.
Infection
Dr Claire Dewsnap, Dr Catherine Rowan, Professor Margaret Kingston, Dr David Patridge, Dr Laura Waters and Dr Anne Tunbridge discussed infection including managing returning travellers, recognising sexually transmitted disease in clinical practice, and what living with HIV means today.
Long term conditions
RCP’s vice president for Wales Dr Hilary Williams and DR Aicha Bouraoui discuss effective MDT agenda setting, coaching and transitional care.
Nutrition and Hydration
The penultimate session of the first day saw RCP’s academic vice president Ramesh Arasaradnam joined by Dr Nicola Burch for a discussion on managing disease-related malnutrition in adults and clinically-assisted hydration.
Milroy Lecture, closing
The first day of Med+ came to a close with Dr Barry Monk giving this year’s Milroy lecture, in which he explored how mistakes can be avoided in healthcare. The Milroy lecture was founded by a bequest from Dr Gavin Milroy FRCP (1805–86). Dr Milroy’s intention was to ‘promote the advancement of medical science along with the interests of philanthropic benevolence and of social welfare.’
Day 2
Medicine management
The second day of Med+ began with a discussion of medicine management, where RCP’s academic vice president Ramesh Arasaradnam was joined by Tony Jamieson and Nishali Patel to discuss the impact on over prescribing provided useful signposting to the best practices to reduce it.
Geriatric medicine
Dr Ruth Law, Professor Miles Witham, Dr Stephen Lim, Dr Shazia Din and Dr Lucy Pollock discussed ‘hospital at home’, multi-morbidity and the prevention of management of hospital acquired deconditioning.
Acute medicine
Dr Tim Cooksley, Dr Latif Raiyan Rahmen, Tom Knight, Dr Cat Atkin and Dr Sarb Clare had a thought-provoking discussion on taking acute medical care to the patient’s home, progressing acute medical care through research, and the power-of-point ultrasound (POCUS).
Oncology
Dr Sarah Clarke chaired a session from Professor Johann de Bono, Dr Shivan Sivakumar and Dr Carys Phillips on pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer and the acute care toolkit.
Diabetes and endocrinology
Dr Kate Fayers and Dr Natalie Vanderpant, and speakers, Dr Peter Hammond, Dr Umasuthan Srirangalingam and Dr Dipesh Patel provided an engaging session on diabetes and endocrinology.
Gastroenterology
Key experts Dr Shanika de Silva and Professor Catherine Williamson discussed gastroenterology and hepatology related conditions in pregnant patients.
Palliative care
Chairs Dr Sarah Cox and Dr David Brooks, and speakers, Dr Kathryn Mannix, Dr Natasha Wiggins and Dr Stephanie Meddick-Dyson explored therapeutics and the withdrawal of respiratory support for conscious patients at the end of life.
Closing keynote: personalised care
The keynote speech which brought another successful Med+ to a close saw RCP president Dr Sarah Clarke joined by Professor Alf Collins who gave an insight talk entitled on personalised care and evidence-based healthcare for individuals.