Upcoming Medical Conferences in South Africa

Role of the Genital Tract Microbiome in Sexual and Reproductive Health (S6) is organized by Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology and will be held from Dec 11 - 15, 2018 at Southern Sun Cape Sun, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. Course Description : Bacteria and fungi residing in the female genital tract have been associated with elevated risks of HIV acquisition and transmission, pelvic inflammatory disease, miscarriage, preterm birth, and invasive maternal and neonatal infections. The increased availability of high-throughput genomic testing since the turn of the century has revealed a more detailed picture of these organisms than was possible when evaluation depended on microscopy and culture. The interrelationships between sexually transmitted infections, vaginal dysbiosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and vaginal pathobiont carriage are being elucidated, and their effects on the cervicovaginal mucosal barrier and immune system are being characterized. The mechanisms that may lead to adverse outcomes are being unraveled, and an increasing number of interventions are in clinical trials. In this meeting, the current understanding of female and male genital tract microbiology and immunology, including functional microbiology and biofilms, will be presented and knowledge gaps identified. Potential mechanisms leading to adverse outcomes, and a variety of potential prevention and/or treatment interventions, will be presented and discussed. The exponential progress made in recent years will hopefully lead to efficacious public health interventions to reduce the high prevalence of adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes in women, especially in resource-poor settings. Plenary Session Topics: • Vaginal Microbiology • Genital Tract Microbiology and Metabolomics • Genital Tract Immunology • Genital Tract Mucosal Defenses and Biofilms • Genital Tract Microbiota Associations with HIV • Genital Tract Microbiota Associations with Pregnancy and Neonatal Complications • Vaginal Dysbiosis Prevention and Treatment Interventions I & II Additional details will be posted as soon as they are available.

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Course is organized by Academy of Advanced Life Support and will be held from Jan 11 - 13, 2019 at Academy of Advanced Life Support, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. Target Audience: The Course is available to any healthcare professional who is registered as a Medical or Dental Practitioner, Intern, Junior Intern, Professional Nurse or Advanced Life Support Paramedic. Participants must be in possession of a valid AHA BLS for Healthcare Provider Certificate. CPD Accreditation: 34 Continuing Education Units, including 4 CEU's for Ethics. Course Structure: ACLS is a practical, simulated case-based Course that will enhance resuscitation skills in the management of cardiac arrest and peri-arrest patients. Ideal performance is initially demonstrated via video and Instructor. Learning is facilitated by extensive hands-on practice, with each participant getting several opportunities to lead their team in simulated clinical scenarios, guided by positive and constructive feedback. Aims and Objectives: Candidates will be competent to recognize and initiate the management of cardiac arrest and peri-arrest conditions. Participants will be able to apply a systematic and algorithm-based approach to the management of respiratory arrest, ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia, pulseless electrical activity and asystole, stable and unstable tachycardias and bradycardias. Candidates will be able to identify and treat ischaemic chest pain, expedite the care of acute coronary syndromes and stroke, and provide effective initial care and transfer to reduce disability and death. Participants will be able to demonstrate effective communication skills and leadership of a resuscitation team.

Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers Course is organized by Academy of Advanced Life Support and will be held on Jan 11, 2019 at Academy of Advanced Life Support, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.  Target Audience: The Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers Course is open to any healthcare worker who has a voluntary or professional duty to respond to a cardiac or respiratory emergency. CPD Accreditation: 15 Continuing Education Units. Aims and Objectives: Participants will be able to perform the initial steps of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in victims of all ages, basic airway manoeuvres and rescue breathing with and without adjuncts. Candidates will be proficient in the use of bag-valve resuscitators and in the technique of automated external defibrillation. Participants will be able to demonstrate how to manage choking in conscious and unconscious adults, children and infants, and be aware of special considerations such as scene and rescuer safety, standard precautions, head, neck and spinal injuries and the recovery position. Course Structure: The Course is taught in a relaxed, video-based practice-while-watching interactive adult-learning environment. The focus is on active participation with ample opportunity to practice and apply these skills in simulated scenarios.  Additional details will be posted as soon as they are available.

Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers Course is organized by Academy of Advanced Life Support and will be held on Jan 15, 2019 at Academy of Advanced Life Support, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.  Target Audience: The Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers Course is open to any healthcare worker who has a voluntary or professional duty to respond to a cardiac or respiratory emergency. CPD Accreditation: 15 Continuing Education Units. Aims and Objectives: Participants will be able to perform the initial steps of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in victims of all ages, basic airway manoeuvres and rescue breathing with and without adjuncts. Candidates will be proficient in the use of bag-valve resuscitators and in the technique of automated external defibrillation. Participants will be able to demonstrate how to manage choking in conscious and unconscious adults, children and infants, and be aware of special considerations such as scene and rescuer safety, standard precautions, head, neck and spinal injuries and the recovery position. Course Structure: The Course is taught in a relaxed, video-based practice-while-watching interactive adult-learning environment. The focus is on active participation with ample opportunity to practice and apply these skills in simulated scenarios.  Additional details will be posted as soon as they are available.

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Course is organized by Academy of Advanced Life Support and will be held from Jan 15 - 17, 2019 at Academy of Advanced Life Support, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. Target Audience: The Course is available to any healthcare professional who is registered as a Medical or Dental Practitioner, Intern, Junior Intern, Professional Nurse or Advanced Life Support Paramedic. Participants must be in possession of a valid AHA BLS for Healthcare Provider Certificate. CPD Accreditation: 34 Continuing Education Units, including 4 CEU's for Ethics. Course Structure: ACLS is a practical, simulated case-based Course that will enhance resuscitation skills in the management of cardiac arrest and peri-arrest patients. Ideal performance is initially demonstrated via video and Instructor. Learning is facilitated by extensive hands-on practice, with each participant getting several opportunities to lead their team in simulated clinical scenarios, guided by positive and constructive feedback. Aims and Objectives: Candidates will be competent to recognize and initiate the management of cardiac arrest and peri-arrest conditions. Participants will be able to apply a systematic and algorithm-based approach to the management of respiratory arrest, ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia, pulseless electrical activity and asystole, stable and unstable tachycardias and bradycardias. Candidates will be able to identify and treat ischaemic chest pain, expedite the care of acute coronary syndromes and stroke, and provide effective initial care and transfer to reduce disability and death. Participants will be able to demonstrate effective communication skills and leadership of a resuscitation team.

Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers Course is organized by Academy of Advanced Life Support and will be held on Jan 21, 2019 at Academy of Advanced Life Support, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. Target Audience: The Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers Course is open to any healthcare worker who has a voluntary or professional duty to respond to a cardiac or respiratory emergency. CPD Accreditation: 15 Continuing Education Units. Aims and Objectives: Participants will be able to perform the initial steps of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in victims of all ages, basic airway manoeuvres and rescue breathing with and without adjuncts. Candidates will be proficient in the use of bag-valve resuscitators and in the technique of automated external defibrillation. Participants will be able to demonstrate how to manage choking in conscious and unconscious adults, children and infants, and be aware of special considerations such as scene and rescuer safety, standard precautions, head, neck and spinal injuries and the recovery position. Course Structure: The Course is taught in a relaxed, video-based practice-while-watching interactive adult-learning environment. The focus is on active participation with ample opportunity to practice and apply these skills in simulated scenarios.  Additional details will be posted as soon as thye are available.

Paediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Provider Course is organized by Academy of Advanced Life Support and will be held from Jan 22 - 23, 2019 at Academy of Advanced Life Support, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. Target Audience: The Course is available to any healthcare professional who is registered as a Medical or Dental Practitioner, Intern, Junior Intern, Professional Nurse or Advanced Life Support Paramedic Although not mandatory, prior participation on an ACLS Course is recommended.. CPD Accreditation: 32 Continuing Education Units, including 2 CEU's for Ethics. Course Structure: PALS is a practical, case-based Course that will enhance one's skills in the evaluation and management of an infant or child with respiratory compromise, circulatory compromise or cardiac arrest. Ideal performance is initially demonstrated via video and Instructor. Learning is facilitated by extensive hands-on practice, with each participant getting several opportunities to lead their team in simulated clinical scenarios, guided by positive and constructive feedback. Aims and Objectives: Candidates will be able to perform a systematic approach to the assessment of a seriously ill or injured child, recognize and manage a child in respiratory distress and failure, compensated and hypotensive shock. Participants will be able to recognize and manage a child with a life-threatening bradyarrhythmia, tachyarrhythmia or arrest rhythm, and prevent further deterioration during stabilization and transfer. Candidates will be able to perform effective respiratory management skills, including the use of oxygen delivery devices, ventilation and intubation, as well as the appropriate use of electrical therapy, including defibrillation and synchronized cardioversion, and IV access techniques including intra-osseous and fluid bolus administration.

Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers Course is organized by Academy of Advanced Life Support and will be held on Jan 25, 2019 at Academy of Advanced Life Support, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.  Target Audience: The Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers Course is open to any healthcare worker who has a voluntary or professional duty to respond to a cardiac or respiratory emergency. CPD Accreditation: 15 Continuing Education Units. Aims and Objectives: Participants will be able to perform the initial steps of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in victims of all ages, basic airway manoeuvres and rescue breathing with and without adjuncts. Candidates will be proficient in the use of bag-valve resuscitators and in the technique of automated external defibrillation. Participants will be able to demonstrate how to manage choking in conscious and unconscious adults, children and infants, and be aware of special considerations such as scene and rescuer safety, standard precautions, head, neck and spinal injuries and the recovery position. Course Structure: The Course is taught in a relaxed, video-based practice-while-watching interactive adult-learning environment. The focus is on active participation with ample opportunity to practice and apply these skills in simulated scenarios.  Additional details will be posted as soon as they are available.

Paediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Provider Course is organized by Academy of Advanced Life Support and will be held from Jan 26 -  27, 2019 at Academy of Advanced Life Support, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. Target Audience: The Course is available to any healthcare professional who is registered as a Medical or Dental Practitioner, Intern, Junior Intern, Professional Nurse or Advanced Life Support Paramedic Although not mandatory, prior participation on an ACLS Course is recommended.. CPD Accreditation: 32 Continuing Education Units, including 2 CEU's for Ethics. Course Structure: PALS is a practical, case-based Course that will enhance one's skills in the evaluation and management of an infant or child with respiratory compromise, circulatory compromise or cardiac arrest. Ideal performance is initially demonstrated via video and Instructor. Learning is facilitated by extensive hands-on practice, with each participant getting several opportunities to lead their team in simulated clinical scenarios, guided by positive and constructive feedback. Aims and Objectives: Candidates will be able to perform a systematic approach to the assessment of a seriously ill or injured child, recognize and manage a child in respiratory distress and failure, compensated and hypotensive shock. Participants will be able to recognize and manage a child with a life-threatening bradyarrhythmia, tachyarrhythmia or arrest rhythm, and prevent further deterioration during stabilization and transfer. Candidates will be able to perform effective respiratory management skills, including the use of oxygen delivery devices, ventilation and intubation, as well as the appropriate use of electrical therapy, including defibrillation and synchronized cardioversion, and IV access techniques including intra-osseous and fluid bolus administration.

Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) Course is organized by Academy of Advanced Life Support and will be held from Jan 29 - 30, 2019 at Academy of Advanced Life Support, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. Target Audience: The Advanced Medical Life Support Course is particularly designed for medical practitioners who might be called upon to recognize and manage a patient with an acute or life-threatening medical emergency. CPD Accreditation: 19 Continuing Education Units, including 2 CEU's for Ethics. Course Structure: The Course provides a practical approach to the recognition and management of a wide spectrum of acute and life-threatening medical emergencies in adults. The Course consists of hands-on practical training, tutorials, case discussions, role-plays and data interpretation covering respiratory, neurological, dermatological, endocrine and metabolic disturbances. Aims and Objectives: Participants will have the knowledge and ability to provide the initial management for a wide range of life-threatening emergencies such as the patient presenting with breathing difficulties, the shocked patient, the patient presenting with acute chest pain, altered level of consciousness, the collapsed patient, the overdose patient, the patient with acute headache, rashes, acute abdominal pain, renal failure and the patient presenting with hot or cold legs or hot or swollen joints. In addition, the Course covers data interpretation and emergency investigations such as chest x-ray evaluation and 12-lead ECG interpretation as well as haematological, electrolyte and blood gas analysis. Additional details will be posted as soon as they are available.