Parathyroid UK, the leading charity representing individuals affected by parathyroid disorders, attended the British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons (BAETS) 2024 Annual Conference last week, in London. Our primary aim at this year’s event was to raise awareness about parathyroid illnesses, strengthen collaborations with healthcare professionals, surgeons, and allied health professionals. We were also honored to present at the first Allied Health Symposium, where we provided insights into what we do and were able to network with health professionals who work with patients in the field.
Conference Overview
The BAETS 2024 conference offered a comprehensive programme designed to update healthcare professionals on the latest advances in endocrine and thyroid surgery. This year’s conference focused on a range of topics including innovations in surgical techniques, post-operative care, multidisciplinary collaboration, and patient-centered care. Additionally, the Allied Health Symposium was introduced as a new platform for allied health professionals, such as nurses and physicians associates, to engage in discussions about the multidisciplinary management of endocrine disorders.
Key Highlights from the Conference
- Collaborative Discussions:
- The Allied Health symposium facilitated a dynamic exchange of ideas between allied health professionals and patient advocates. Many attendees were interested in learning how they could support patients with parathyroid disorders more effectively.
- A recurring theme in discussions with surgeons was the need for better communication between different healthcare professionals and patients. This collaboration is essential in achieving optimal outcomes for patients. We had fascinating discussions on different treatment data, but also who treats patients and how.
- Opportunities for Future Collaboration:
- The conference presented us with numerous networking opportunities, including potential partnerships and contacts. We have PAs and nurses who want to discuss the management of their calcium clinics with us. One of our advisors, Saba Balasubramanian, also would like to present some data and get feedback from us.
- New Research and Surgical Advances:
- We were particularly interested in the emerging research and advancements in surgery. We watched a fascinating lecture on a new revolutionary device called the PTEye, which can easily detect the parathyroids during surgery.
- New Understanding of the Impact of Parathyroid conditions:
- Radu Mihai presented a fantastic talk on data collected from our patient group on the impact of Primary Hyperparathyroidism and the patient perspective of treatment. He also gave a very good patient perspective talk on hypoparathyroidism, highlighting how damaging it can be and how patients feel it takes over their life. We also spoke to surgeons on new understandings of the impact of hyperparathyroidism on mental health.
Conclusion
The BAETS 2024 conference was an immensely valuable experience for Parathyroid UK. It allowed us to present the patient perspective, build relationships with healthcare professionals, and explore the latest advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of parathyroid conditions. Moving forward, we are committed to enhancing patient outcomes through continued education, advocacy, and collaboration with allied health professionals and surgeons.
We look forward to future opportunities to engage with the BAETS community and contribute to the advancement of parathyroid care.
Lucy Weigall, Deputy CEO
Date of Conference: 3rd & 4th October 2024
Location: London