The date for the First PANLAR Rheumatology Review Course (PRC), taking place from April 15 to 17, 2015, in Barranquilla, is approaching. I would like to go over some of the reasons why it is indispensable for any of the continent’s rheumatologists that are interested in their specialty to attend this event.

 

1. Clear objectives:

 

The course is designed to go over topics that are not common in these type of events. It has an independent program that will nonetheless be of interest to all of us who deal in one way or another with rheumatoid arthritis. This includes rheumatologists, interested specialists, healthcare personnel, patients, auditors and third-party payer. The review of all the current guides, including LatinAmerican ones, attention access barriers, the contribution of regional study groups and the action plan to improve our patients’ attention, will be covered in four modules. The program is aimedat describing the challenges we face but, especially, towards exploring and proposing solutions attuned with the continent’s realities (Click here to download the program).

 

2. Teamwork:

 

This event will be the conclusion of a long work period for the PANLAR work groups. The group of guides for the excellence clinics, pediatric rheumatology and ultrasound programs have been working on a wide range of topics: from the design of the conferences, the preliminary meetings to define the challenges, onto the conducted perception surveys, and up to the documents that have been prepared for their publication in high impact magazines. It has been a coordinated effort that has involved meetings of all kinds, many emails, adjustments and the definition of goals. The groups that have undertaken the work will have the opportunity to present their findings within the event in spaces designed for the same.

 

3. It is a breaking point:

 

A breaking point refers to the critical mass required to achieve a novel idea. Hosting a PANLAR course that reflects the Latin American perspective and the continent’s proposals constitutes a breaking point. Support for the initiative has been total in all scenarios where the same has been presented. Nothing holds truer than that for others to value us, we need to value ourselves first. The course is an exercise in giving value to our ideas and thought and a reflection of the increasing importance of our people, economy and world vision (See the Leadership lessons from a dancing guy video at the end).

 

4. There is a new PANLAR:

 

A lot has been written about the new PANLAR, but for the first time we will see specific facts in action that speak of the profound change that has been experienced by all those who participate in PANLAR. There are changes of form, like the launch of a logo and the new web site during the event, and others of substance, like the better organization of the Directive Council, a lot more operative, and in the way in which events are handled, with an increased participation of PANLAR at each stage. Equally noteworthy is the impulse being given to the work of the study groups as central to PANLAR activities. New rules for the PANLAR groups and events, that will be revealed during the event, intend to give a specific shape to the phrase #WeAreAllPanlar.

 

5. A novel presentation.

 

The PRC will be novel and innovative in its presentation scheme, development and complementary aspects. There are many surprises that we will not reveal in anticipation, but that will be discovered by the attendees.

In brief, attendees will have a clear picture of where our continent is headed in terms of the treatment of this pathology, and will have be able to review the existing challenges but also to contribute to the development of solutions, as well as discovering ways to participate in PANLAR in order to consolidate the work groups and implement long term action plans. All this while at the same time enjoying a carefully planned event in order to welcome the beginning of a truly new PANLAR.

 

We are all invited to be part of the New PANLAR because #WeAreAllPanlar

 

Your comments will always be welcome.

 

I leave you now with the video of the effect of the first follower and of how the breaking point is achieved when we are being innovative. I hope you will like it. Thanks to all that have helped in one way or another with this event. I do not want to name anyone in particular, because making this event possible has been a joint effort.