Rusudan Agladze, FESC, FHFA
Head of the Cardiology Department at the Bokhua Cardiovascular Center
Head of the Georgian Society of Cardiology’s Continuing Medical Education Working Group
This year, the annual World Congress of the European Society of Cardiology, a leading event in the field of cardiology, was held in Madrid and was dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the founding of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
The ESC is a non-governmental, professional organization whose main goal is to reduce mortality and morbidity caused by cardiovascular diseases worldwide. It unites 58 national, 49 affiliated cardiological societies, and more than one hundred thousand representatives from the medical field.
Professional education is a key priority of the European Society of Cardiology’s activities, which it effectively implements by using various educational tools and resources, including international congresses, webinars, distance learning, a mentorship institute, and more.
In recent years, the participation of the Georgian Society of Cardiology and Georgian cardiologists in the European Congress of Cardiology has become more active. Several Georgian cardiologists have been awarded the status of Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology (FESC). For the last three years, and at this year’s congress, too, more than one cardiologist has had the honor and opportunity to present as a speaker or session chairman. In terms of improving professional education, the greater involvement of our cardiological society in various projects initiated by the European Society of Cardiology and the planning and implementation of effective projects for our country are also undoubtedly important.
This year, within the framework of the congress, a meeting was held with the participation of national cardiological societies, initiated by the ESC Education Committee, in which we participated on behalf of the Georgian Society of Cardiology’s Post-diploma and Continuing Medical Education working group. The improvement and standardization of the theoretical and practical aspects of post-diploma education in ESC countries is a current challenge in education. Concrete steps were outlined, aimed at improving the training of residents and better assessing their theoretical and practical preparation. Getting to know the models of different countries and close collaboration will contribute to the achievement of these goals, in which the Georgian Society of Cardiology will also take an active part.
Facilitating the acquisition of training and research grants for young cardiologists and finding host centers was also a subject of discussion at the meeting and is a priority for our country.
For three years now, with the direct initiative of the Georgian Society of Cardiology, it has been possible to take the European Exam in Core Cardiology (EECC) in Georgia. As part of the congress, I participated in the EECC board meeting. We have active support in terms of certain educational projects, which we plan to implement in cooperation with the relevant health and education authorities.
In the context of continuing medical education, the Georgian Society of Cardiology, together with other professional associations—the Georgian Heart Failure Association, the Association of Interventional Cardiologists, and the Heart Rhythm Association—is planning to introduce the new guidelines, results of clinical research, and professional recommendations presented at the congress to the wider community of cardiologists and to organize meetings and scientific conferences for this purpose.
