WCM-Q to host second alumni-led primary care conference
“In an ever-evolving healthcare landscape, staying informed about new developments is essential for delivering high-quality patient care.”
Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) will host its second annual Updates in Primary Care conference on November 29 and 30 in Doha, Qatar. The conference, titled ‘Updates in Primary Care: Specialist-Led Case-Based Discussions Highlighting the Latest Evidence and Best Clinical Practice – 2024,’ reflects WCM-Q’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge, practical education. Organized entirely by graduates of the college, the two-day conference will feature WCM-Q-trained physicians sharing the latest updates in clinical best practices with family physicians, general practitioners, and primary care doctors.
Attendees will engage in dynamic, specialist-led, case-based discussions on managing prevalent adult conditions in primary care. They will also have the opportunity to participate in panel discussions, interactive roundtables, and group sessions designed to foster a comprehensive understanding of adult health conditions and their management approaches. The initiative is co-directed by three distinguished WCM-Q alumni who are now faculty members at the college—Dr. Mahrukh Rizvi, Assistant Professor of medicine (Class of 2011); Dr. Tariq Chukir, Assistant Professor of medicine and Consultant at the National Obesity Treatment Center at Hamad Medical Corporation (Class of 2015); and Dr. Reshma Bholah, assistant professor of pediatrics and consultant pediatric nephrologist at Sidra Medicine (Class of 2011). The conference is coordinated by WCM-Q’s Division of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), which is dedicated to supporting lifelong learning among healthcare professionals.
Reflecting on the significance of the conference, Dr. Mahrukh Rizvi said: “In an ever-evolving healthcare landscape, staying informed about new developments is essential for delivering high-quality patient care. This conference is particularly significant because it is entirely led and delivered by alumni of WCM-Q, showcasing the strength and commitment of our alumni network in contributing to the healthcare landscape. Our alumni’s expertise, combined with their deep understanding of the local and regional context, ensures that the content is highly relevant to the challenges and opportunities faced by primary care practitioners.”
A key highlight of this year’s conference will be a dedicated panel discussion on menopause, recognizing the critical importance of women’s health. The session aims to equip primary care providers with the knowledge and skills needed to support women during this significant stage in life. The multidisciplinary panel will include an endocrinologist, psychologist, and gynecologist, offering a comprehensive perspective on the physical, emotional, and psychological challenges associated with menopause.
Elaborating on the importance of the topic, Dr. Rizvi said: “Menopause is a critical aspect of women’s health with far-reaching implications for a large portion of the population. In Qatar, as in many parts of the world, women may hesitate to discuss their struggles with menopause openly, whether with their families or their healthcare providers. Since primary care physicians are often the first point of contact for these patients, they must be well equipped to address the multifaceted challenges associated with menopause. By including this topic in our conference, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of menopause and encourage an open, evidence-based dialogue within the healthcare community.”
Highlighting the conference’s role in bridging the gap between research and practice, Dr. Tariq Chukir said: “Primary care providers are on the front lines of patient care and encounter patients with a wide range of pathologies. Medicine is a rapidly evolving field, making it essential for healthcare professionals to stay up to date with the latest advancements. Conferences like this one are invaluable because they allow knowledge sharing between experts in various fields, enable the application of the latest research to practices, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. The collaborative nature of this event, which brings together professionals from diverse backgrounds, is particularly beneficial in creating a holistic approach to patient care.”
Emphasizing the overarching goal of the conference, Dr. Reshma Bholah said: “As alumni, we are deeply invested in the continued development of primary care in the region, and this conference is an excellent example of how we can contribute to that goal. Our ultimate aim is to provide primary care providers with the tools they need to excel in their roles, foster collaboration across disciplines, and ensure that the healthcare community in Qatar remains at the forefront of clinical excellence.”
The conference follows the success of WCM-Q’s inaugural alumni-led healthcare conference, held in November 2023. The Updates in Primary Care conference is part of WCM-Q’s wider efforts to ensure its alumni make valuable contributions to Qatar’s thriving healthcare sector.
The conference is accredited in Qatar by Department of Healthcare Professions-Accreditation Section (DHP-AS) of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and internationally by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).
