An Informative Surgical-Based Mini-Symposium at IMU Clinical Campus Seremban

The Surgical-Based Mini-Symposium is part of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activity organised by the Surgical Department, School of Medicine at  the IMU Clinical Campus in Seremban on 22 July 2023. It was initially meant to be held last year, but due to poor response and medical issues sustained by the presenters, the whole CPD was postponed and brought to 2023.

This CPD signifies the inaugural occurrence of such an event organised by the newly restructured Surgical Department. The programme features speakers specialising in Orthopaedics, General Surgery, ENT, and Ophthalmology. While its main target audience is primarily general practitioners (GPs) located in Seremban, the participation was eventually extended to GPs from across the nation, with even one attending from Sarawak. The participants for this event comprised of 7 GPs and 6 Semester 9 students.

The aim of the CPD is to provide up-to-date technical education on the more prevalent surgical-based conditions presenting to GPs. This will allow the GPS to:

1. Diagnose, investigate, and manage accordingly,
2. Perform simple to moderate management instead of constantly referring patients,
3. Selectively identify patients requiring urgent specialist management, and
4. Ultimately, help reduce excessive workloads at government hospitals and clinics.

This CPD was initially meant to be a half-day event by members of the (then) Orthopaedic Department only, but with the inclusion of other specialties, it was expanded to a whole day affair.

IMU Centre for Lifelong Learning (ICL) and Facilities Management and Administration (FMA) were instrumental in providing the organisers with all necessary assistance required to carry out the event. Also, the IT unit of the Seremban Campus (Tay Kong Yik) and the staff of Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre (CSSC) were extremely helpful as well.

Knee Injection Techniques
Giddiness and Vertigo: Guide for Management
Management of Eyelid Lumps
Basic Suturing Techniques for GPs
Common Paediatric Orthopaedic Conditions- A Guide for Referral
Managing Diabetic Retinopathy in GP Practice
Current Management of Diabetic Foot Problems
Primary Management of Epistaxis for General Practitioners

Dr Zairul Nizam
Dr Nabeel Ibraheem Jaafar
Dr Ayushna Ganguly
Dr Sherreen
Dr Arshad Ikram
A/Prof Dr Puneet
Dr Nisar Ahmed
Prof Dr Shahid Hassan

Knee injection techniques (Orthopaedics)
Basic suturing techniques  (General Surgery)
Epistaxis management (ENT)
Management of vertigo (ENT)

Based on the evaluation of the participants, a vast majority of them found the sessions useful and would definitely attend more of the same. Interestingly, a number of the participants received notice of the CPD via social media – indicating the importance of utilising this platform as a marketing tool.

Each professional participant received 8 MMA CPD points for their participation. Additionally, every participant will receive a full set of the Powerpoint presentations as well as e-certificates of participation.

Written by Dr Zairul Nizam bin Zainol Fithri,  Organising Chairman, Surgical-Based Mini-Symposium CPD