Professor Mauri Isokoski, awarded the Hippocrates Medal and Professor Irma Virjo
Secretary General of the 2001 Conference
More
than 2,000 general practitioners from 48 countries gathered in Tampere on 3
- 7 June 2001 to participate in the 2001 Conference of the European Society
of General Practice/Family Medicine — WONCA Region Europe (ESGP/FM). Tampere
is a picturesque city between two big lakes about 200 kilometres north of Helsinki.
As a conference venue, we had the modern Tampere Hall, the biggest conference
centre in Scandinavia.
One
of the highlights of the conference - especially for the Finns – took place
in the Opening Ceremony. The Executive Committee of (ESGP/FM) honoured Professor
Mauri Isokoski with the Hippocrates Medal for his lifelong work for general
practice. President Chris
van Weel (ESGP/FM) and WONCA President Michael Boland festively ”chained” him
while a full auditorium applauded.
Professor Mauri Isokoski,
awarded the Hippocrates Medal and Professor Irma Virjo
Secretary
General of the 2001 Conference
The
conference theme ”General Practitioner - the Frontline Clinician” was described
from many points of view. We had
nine interesting plenary lectures, such as Dr. Ilkka Kunnamo, who talked about
“Information Technology at the Service of Busy General Practitioner”. He demonstrated
how it is possible for a GP sitting at his office desk with the patient to get
relevant knowledge concerning the patient’s problem from evidenced based guidelines
in a few seconds. Participants chose from 54 workshops, 59 symposia, 252 free
papers and 176 posters. Further, 10 CME programmes and four small groups got
hands-on experiences in examining the shoulder and upper limb, or rehearsing
communication skills. Nearly 200 colleagues visited Finnish health centres in
Tampere and its neighbourhood. ”My patient” sessions were something new, and
were well received.
The Scientific Committee received and carefully reviewed 582 abstracts for the conference. On behalf of the Scientific Committee, Professor Kaija Seppä and Dr. Anna-Leena Kirkkola evaluated all of the oral presentations and posters rated “excellent”. Awards were given to the three best from both groups.
The
best oral presentations were:
Blokland
I, Willems S, Vander Stichele R, Meersschaut F, De Maeseneer J, Belgium: Wet
combing versus traditional scalp inspection as a detection method for lice infestation
in school children.
Rikken
SAJJ, Rosmalen CHF, De Bakker DH, Netherlands: Electronic support for general
practitioners in the Netherlands: first results.
Goodwin
DP., United Kingdom: Cross your eyes or cross your fingers? Saving a patient
from unnecessary surgery.
The
best posters were:
Vihko-Pääkkönen
Mirja-Liisa, Pääkkönen Seppo, Nenonen Mikko, Finland: Quality of asthma care
by GP and Hospital admission rate.
Ozcakir
A, Uncu Y, Sadikoglu G, Alper Z, Ozdemir H, Bilgel N, Turkey: Distribution of
deaths from cancer in 1999; Bursa province, Turkey.
Takker
U, Pöder T, Sarapuu H, Treial M, Estonia: Family Doctor’s (FD) referrals to
cardiologist’s consultation.
Each
group of authors has received a Diploma and Finnish classical music by mail
after the conference. Warm congratulations to all winners!
The rich social programme offered
something for everybody. Finnish GP’s together with their spouses were hosting
various events. At a lively open-air dance in Kisaranta the guests were especially
surprised of the Finnish custom where men and women in turns invited each other
to dance. Nearly 60 brave GP’s went to sauna and swimming in the lake. Some
were so enthusiastic that three hours seemed not enough time. Some 40 participants
went map-orienteering in a forest
in Tampere. No one got lost under supervision of young boys and girls from a
local orienteering club. Over 400 participants listened to a Church Concert
and saw the startling frescos of Hugo Simberg in the Doom of Tampere.
Two full boats went cruising on a lake. ”Sleepless GP in Tampere” was
a funny international stand up comedy show starting at ten o’clock in the evening.
The conference banquet was also a nice evening with a most entertaining skiffle
music show presented by Werner Bross.
The
last conference day’s plenary was a special highlight. Acompanying persons were
welcome, and the main auditorium of Tampere-Hall was indeed full. Professor
Ruth Chambers (UK) gave a lecture about ”Survival skills for the General Practitioner”.
Mrs Annemarie Egli from Switzerland and Prof. (psychology) Sven Ingmar Andersson
from Sweden talked about experiences as a GP’s spouse. The atmosphere was one
of intensive listening, understanding and sharing.
After that, we all joined the short and joyful closing ceremony.
We
have received lots of feedback after the conference. I quote here one of the
nicest messages: ”Most
friendly and amusing conference I ever participated in! Most
professionally rewarding event for me in the past 10 years!
The size was just right, the premises very good, weather excellent, and social
program unbeatable.”
The
host organising committee lead by Professor Kari Mattila and its subcommittees
have worked hard for three years to offer a good conference.. We feel that it
was worthwhile. So many colleagues seem to have found a new inspiration in their
work and feel stronger in their role as GP.
A conference cannot succeed without good participants. Tampere brought
the best, who presented their works, participated as chairs, listened to others
with great interest, gave constructive and collegial feedback, who participated
as chairpersons and participated in the social programme with playful minds
and hearts. Thank you all!
Irma
Virjo, Professor of General Practice
Secretary General of the 2001 Conference of the European Society of General
Practice/ Family Medicine - WONCA Region Europe
