Report by Emilija Cvetkovska
The first EFNS Regional Teaching Course in Ohrid, Republic Macedonia, took place from 16th to 18th May 2013. There were 91 participants (10 speakers, 81 students). Very well-known speakers from Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Switzerland and also from Macedonia gave us their most modern and evidence-based data during their main talks and smaller workshops. On the first two days the morning sessions were followed by afternoon workshops. Lessons were given in English language. Each lecture was followed by many questions and discussions by audience; and especially fruitful discussions took place in the afternoon workshops.
The students were mainly from Macedonia, but also from Albania, Kosovo and Serbia.
Each participant received an RTC-folder with information about the EFNS, its future events and all the material of the course including a CD with all the presentations.
The first day was dedicated to Epilepsy:
Professor Hermann Stefan (Germany) talked about “Epilepsy diagnosis, what is useful and necessary”. Afterwards, Dr. Emilia Cvetkovska (Macedonia) held her lecture about “Antiepileptic drug therapy: when to start and when to stop”. From Austria, Professor Christoph Baumgartner gave his presentations on “Side effects and interaction in epilepsy therapy” and on “Epilepsy surgery”.
The topic of the second day was Stroke:
Professor Valeria Caso (Italy) started the day with her lectured on “Diagnosis of stroke”, followed by Dr. Fabienne Perren (Switzerland), who specialises on “Ultrasound examination”. Professor Theodor Landis (Switzerland) gave his presentation on “Post-stroke dementias” while Professor Anita Arsovska from Macedonia finished the morning courses with her talk on “Treatment of ischaemic cerebrovascular disease”
The final day had various topics to cover, namely Neuroophthalmology, Dementia and Migraine.
The first lecture was given by the EFNS Secretary General and Professor of Neurology, Professor Detlef Kömpf, talking about “Differential diagnosis of oculomotor syndromes”. Our well-known speaker from Macedonia, Professor Stojcev, spoke about “Dementias, their diagnosis and treatment”. And the last speaker of this Regional Teaching Course was Professor Christian Lucas from France, who gave a lecture on “Vascular risk in migraine“.
In the evening of the first courseday, as special networking event, enjoyed by all the participants, a get-together party with traditional Macedonian music and dancing was organised.
The participants also took the opportunity to use their spare time to visit the old and beautiful town of Ohrid.
Ohrid and the Kale Fortress
The atmosphere during the course was relaxed and friendly; many friendships were made and speakers mingled with participants and were available for informal discussions during the whole time. Due to the successful course and great time together we are all looking forward to another Regional Teaching Course in future.
Dr. Emilija Cvetkovska works at the Department of Neurology at the University Clinic of Neurology in Skopje, Macedonia. She organised the RTC in Ohrid.
