The European Association of Young Neurologists and Trainees (EAYNT) carried out a number of activities within the scope of the 19th ENS Meeting in Milan, Italy, June 20-24, 2009. Below is a report on their events scheduled in Milan. Authors of this account are: Drs. Martin Rakusa, Walter Struhal, Laszlo Sztriha and Johann Sellner of the EAYNT.
Since its foundation in 1999, the European Association of Young Neurologists and Trainees (EAYNT) has been enjoying major support from the Executive Committee of the European Neurological Society (ENS). This commitment towards young neurologists’ interests was recently emphasised by the nomination of an EAYNT observer to the ENS Executive Committee and successful EAYNT events during the ENS conference in Milan.
Visit to Department of Neurology of HSR in Milan
On invitation by former ENS president Prof. Giancarlo Comi, and supported by local EAYNT delegates Dr. Francesco Corea and Dr. Marco Bacigaluppi, we had the unique opportunity to visit the Department of Neurology at IRSS San Raffaele Hospital (HSR). More than 50 neurologists in training from over 15 countries took the opportunity to gain insight into patient care and research at this renowned private institution. The hospital tour was realised twice due to the large number of registered participants, and comprised hands-on illustrations on decision processes at the emergency department, as well as a guidance through the stroke unit and the rehabilitation facilities. The tours were accompanied by lively discussions by all participants and opened avenues for making friends among the participants. Moreover, the visit of the impressive research facilities was followed by presentations from clinical scientists reporting their most recent scientific projects, and the fabulous opportunities at HSR. Further discussion on the individual characteristics of Italian neurology, improving the situation of young doctors in Italy, and the Italian healthcare system, was carried out.
In addition, we are looking forward to the upcoming hospital visit during the next ENS meeting in Berlin in 2010 on kind invitation by Prof. Matthias Endres and in collaboration with our local EAYNT colleague Dr. Farid Salih. The visit to the Department of Neurology of the renowned Charité hospital in Berlin is scheduled for Saturday, June 19th 2010. Further information will be announced on the ENS website (www.ensinfo.org) and the EAYNT website (www.eaynt.org) .
EAYNT Session at the ENS Meeting
An overwhelming number of 200 colleagues were welcomed at the EAYNT Session for Young Neurologists on Sunday, 21st June 2009. Dr. Johann Sellner, Munich, EAYNT president and observer to the ENS Executive Committee, opened the session and with his presentation entitled: Introduction and Update on Current EAYNT Activities (refer also to www.eaynt.org).
Prof. Claudio Bassetti, Zurich, continued the Session by lecturing on Ten Common Eponyms Essential in Everyday Practice. The address included remarkable images and videos, and some eponyms were clearly well known to the audience. For readers interested in further challenges, we would like to recommend Prof. Bassetti´s recent publication in Swiss Archives of Neurology and Psychiatry on Swiss use of neurological eponyms.
Prof. Angela Vincent, Oxford, gave an exciting lecture entitled: Should I Write Up this Patient? The Importance of Individual Case Studies in Determining the Direction of Research. Two remarkable cases which significantly contributed to the definition of novel syndromes were presented, and will be well remembered by the participants. The major message to young neurologists was that case reports are frequently underestimated and usually not seen as scientific work. She stressed that case reports are a pivotal component for future research, and encouraged young doctors to submit interesting and rare cases.
The last lecture was given by former EAYNT president Dr. Walter Struhal on Facts and Myths of the UEMS/EBN European Board Examination in Neurology. This exam - aimed at representing a significant mark of excellence - took place for the first time at the ENS conference in Milan. This test is endorsed by the EAYNT, an organisation which has as one of its main goals the fostering of clinical and scientific excellence. Hands-on experience from the first exam setting were provided by ENS treasurer and EBN-examiner Prof. Andreas J. Steck, Basel, as well as the examinee Dr. Daniel Kondziella, Gothenburg, who was awarded the title Fellow of the European Board of Neurology after successfully passing the exam. For further information on the UEMS/EBN exam please refer to: (www.uems-neuroboard.org/ebn).
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the ENS Executive Committee and the ENS Administrative Secretariat in Basel for their continuous support, and to the speakers of the EAYNT-ENS Session for volunteering to participate in this event.
Picture taken in front of the Laeticia monument during one of the EAYNT visits to HSR Milan with organizers Francesco Corea (left, blue stroke apparel), Marco Bacigaluppi (second from right) and Johann Sellner (right)