Why are the CME tours so important?
Diabetes mellitus, especially type 2, is a growing epidemic in developing countries as they adopt increasingly western life styles. A particular genetic predisposition in certain populations is present. In Africa the prevalence of diabetes is about 4% of the adult population, almost 15 million people, with a high rate of mortality, around 6% among all causes, almost 350 thousand people, below 60 years of age. The management of this disease and its complications and comorbidities is a big challenge, especially for the healthcare systems of such nations, considering also the low level of funding dedicated to it. This situation is also a challenge for the local medical schools and institutions which have to prepare and train the healthcare professionals who will handle such problems.
EXCEMED has now completed two Tours in partnership with diabetes expert Dr. Jonathan Levy from the Oxford Centre of Diabetes, UK. The first in 2013 aimed to increase local awareness and capability in diabetes and chronic disease managemen, working with three African universities and many local scientific societies, reaching over 400 general practitioners, medical students and pharmacists. In 2014 we extended this still further. Workshops are tailored to local needs and present evidence-based data and novel diabetes management approaches through interactive clinical case studies.
Participant feedback for the Tours is very high. Figures for 2013 reveal that an outstanding: 97% of attendees believed the training would benefit patient care and 96% were ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with the education offered.
The education offered to physicians during the CME Tour of Africa aligns with the standards of the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME).
Online learning opportunities
Subsequent online learning opportunities and takeaway messages will be available on a free educational platform, www.managediabetesonline.org. This has been developed by EXCEMED so that professionals unable to attend the live CME Tour of Africa can still benefit from its valuable educational events. Parallel CME-accredited online courses will be included on the website and are aimed at pharmacy and medical students.