Hong Kong Journal of Nephrology (2014) 16, 19e22

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SHORT COMMUNICATION

ISN momentsd238 young Chinesenephrologists supported to learn from theWorld Congress of Nephrology 2013

Philip K.T. Li*, Richard Y.H. Yu, Samuel K.S. Fung, Weixin Hu,Zhihong Liu, John Feehally

Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong,Shatin, Hong Kong

Available online 29 March 2014

KEYWORDSNephrology;Education;Chinese

* Corresponding author. Departmenttics, Prince of Wales Hospital, ChineNgan Shing Street, Shatin, Hong Kong.

E-mail address: philipli@cuhk.edu.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hkjn.2011561-5413/Copyright ª 2014, Hong Ko

Summary The World Congress of Nephrology (WCN) provides a great opportunity for educa-tion for nephrologists, either experienced or in training, around the world. Support for ne-phrologists from the developing and remote regions is very important, in line with themissions of International Society of Nephrology Global Outreach programs. The collaborationwith philanthropists to provide funding and the organization to have the appropriate trainingmaterials and media serve as a good model for future congresses.世界腎臟病學大會(WCN)為全球資深的及受訓中的腎科醫生，提供了良好的學習機會。事實上，正如國際腎科學會的全球外展計劃所強調，對發展中及偏遠地區的腎科醫生提供支援是一 項重要

的任務。善長、慈善團體與專業學會的充分合作，可確保資金的募集及訓練平台的建立，以順利

推動WCN 在未來的進一步發展。

WCN 2013dheld in Hong Kong on May 31 to June 4,2013dwas a great success. More than 5500 health careprofessionals and other delegates from over 120 countriesparticipated in the Congress. The scientific and clinicalresearch content was excellent with about 2000 abstractsubmissions. Among the attendees, 238 of them need aspecial mention. In June 2012, Richard Yu, Senior Advisor ofHong Kong Society of Nephrology (HKSN), together withPhilip Li, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee,

of Medicine and Therapeu-se University of Hong Kong,

hk (P.K.T. Li).

4.02.003ng Society of Nephrology Ltd. Pu

WCN 2013 set out to develop the support needed for youngnephrologists from all over China to come for learning atWCN 2013 and be exposed to the international nephrologyarena. Their plan was endorsed by the council of the HKSN.The necessary funding came from the generous donationsof four local philanthropists, and also directly from thefunds of the HKSN. The aim was to support young ne-phrologists under 37 years old who would otherwise nothave the chance to attend a major international nephrologymeeting outside mainland China. Young nephrologists fromremote provinces and cities throughout China were thetarget group who would benefit most from our support.HKSN worked closely with the Chinese Society ofNephrology (CSN) in the selection process. Abstract

blished by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved.

Figure 1 The distribution of the 238 young nephrologists who received the travel grant, across 22 provinces, four municipalcities, and five autonomous regions all over China. Figures shown in brackets are the number of young nephrologists supported bythe travel grant to attend the WCN 2013.

20 P.K.T. Li et al.

submission was encouraged, but was not a prerequisite forthe travel grant awardees as many of them were fromremote regions of China, and the main purpose of theawards was to give them the opportunity to come andlearn. The travel grant included the WCN registration fee,travel, accommodation, some pocket expenses, and 1-yearInternational Society of Nephrology (ISN) membership witheducational journals.

In the end, 238 young nephrologists from 31 regions ofChina (22 provinces, 4 municipal cities and 5 autonomousregions) received the awards and attended the WCN 2013(Fig. 1). This year’s WCN had simultaneous interpretation inPutonghua in the main session of “Renal ReplacementTherapy”. This was to help the delegates acquire moreknowledge in dialysis and kidney transplantation to aidthem on the practical aspects of their clinical work whenthey returned home.

During the WCN, on June 1, 2013, an Appreciation Cer-emony thanking the donors was held. The 238 awardees,council members of ISN, HKSN, and CSN were there to thankthe four donors (Fig. 2). The excitement and enthusiasm ofthe young nephrologists having a chance to come and learnfrom the WCN was overwhelming.

After the WCN, questionnaires were sent out to all theawardees, and 116 responses were received. For 89 (76.7%)of them, it was their first time being out of mainland China;37 (31.9%) had never attended a national nephrologymeeting, and 103 (88.8%) had never attended an interna-tional nephrology conference. Nine (7.8%) had submitted anabstract, and five (4.3%) had a poster presentation. Table 1summarizes some of the very positive responses of theawardees. One point to note is that 69% either agreed orstrongly agreed that they could understand the lectureswell in English. Hence, there is still a substantial proportionof these young nephrologists who probably benefit morefrom the availability of a simultaneous translation inPutonghua.

The main aim of this travel awarddto support youngnephrologists from the remote and less developed regionsof China to benefit from advances in nephrology educationat WCNdhas undoubtedly been achieved. This also servesas a good model for the future if a number of young ne-phrologists from the region can be supported throughcollaboration of philanthropists and national societies toattend WCN. The improvement of care for kidney patientsthrough these young nephrologists who attended WCN will

Figure 2 During the WCN 2013, 238 travel awardees from China, together with council members of ISN, HKSN, and CSN thanking the four donors from Hong Kong. CSN Z ChineseSociety of Nephrology; HKSN Z Hong Kong Society of Nephrology; ISN Z International Society of Nephrology; WCN Z World Congress of Nephrology.

ISNmoments

21

Table 1 Feedback from 116 young nephrologists on the travel award scheme and WCN 2013.

Agree (N Z 116) Strongly agree(N Z 116)

Agree þ Stronglyagree (N Z 116)

1 The travel grant has given me a chance to attend an internationalrenal meeting, which is otherwise not possible.

9.4% 75.9% 85.3%

2 The WCN 2013 serves the purpose of a very good internationalmeeting.

4.3% 93.9% 98.2%

3 I can understand the lectures well in English. 33.6% 35.3% 68.9%4 The topics were overall very useful and comprehensive. 31% 64.6% 95.6%5 The experience and learning from the WCN would have impact

and change on my clinical practice.26.7% 58.6% 85.3%

6 The arrangement of accommodation, coach transfer, andreimbursement of the award by the conference organizer wasgenerally very good.

14.7% 81.9% 96.6%

7 The Award Appreciation Ceremony was well arranged and hasgiven a chance for us to thank the donors and organizers.

8.6% 87.9% 96.5%

8 The arrangement of the Candidate Selection Processwas appropriate.

14.7% 83.6% 98.3%

22 P.K.T. Li et al.

be tremendous. We are very grateful to the donors forsupporting them and creating such “ISN moments” thatcertainly have a long lasting effects in benefiting thedevelopment of nephrology in China.

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that they have no financial or non-financial conflicts of interest related to the subject matteror materials discussed in the article.