One of the important activities of ISIM is the organization of Postgraduate Courses in Internal Medicine for regions without intense and regular exchange with international colleagues from Western Europe or other parts of the world. Such an exchange is very fruitful for both sides. These courses are always very well attended and successful. The idea behind these courses is the following: It may be more efficient to bring the teachers to the place in need than to invite the physicians to congresses abroad which is much more expensive. ISIM is covering the costs for transportation and lodging of the international lecturers, and the local organizers are providing all invitations, technical equipment and translation.
In September 18–23, 2009, the Russian Medical Society of Internal Medicine was planning the annual meeting of its Southern Chapter in Rostov-on-Don, which is located West of the Caucasus region. ISIM was offered by the Governing Board of the «Russian Scientific Medical Society of Internal Medicine» to take over one day of their Rostov Congress, and to hold a Postgraduate Course. We immediately seized this opportunity, also knowing that many physicians form the Caucasian Republics would come to Rostov.
The course in Rostov was well organized and took place in a very modern congress centre. It was attended by more than 2000 physicians, most of the young internists from the whole South of the Russian Federation including from all Caucasian Republics.
The program of the International Day (ISIM Postgraduate Course) was as follows:
Prof. Napier Thomson, Melbourne, Australia
- Preventing chronic renal failure
- Advances in the management of acute renal failure
Prof. Bart Keymeulen, Brussels, Belgium
- Role of intensive glycemic control in the prevention of cardiovascular events in diabetic patients.
- Multifactorial intervention in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Prof. Erich Russi, Zurich, Switzerland
- Lung cancer
- Chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD)
Prof. Roberto Speck, Zurich, Switzerland
- Sexually transmitted diseases in clinical practice (including HIV-1)
- Hepatitis B and C in clinical practice
Prof. Hans-Peter Kohler, Bern, Switzerland
- Venous thromboembolism
- Anticoagulation: indications and managment
Prof. Rolf A.Streuli, Langenthal, Switzerland
- Tuberculosis remains a big threat
- Multi-drig resistant tuberculosis
All lectures were simultaneously translated, and they were all followed by long and interesting discussions.
The ISIM delegation was accompanied by Mr. Henry Pluess, the Treasurer of ISIM, who regulated all financial transactions.
The participants were very grateful to hear state-of-the-art lectures from leading Western specialists