SAPA NEWS

SAPA News

SAPA CONFERENCE 2023

Come join us at The Capital on the Park, Sandton for the SAPA conference! Get ready for informative and up-to-date discussions on key topics in the field of paediatrics and child health. Check the detailed programme here. This event is a fantastic opportunity for the paediatric community to connect and socialise. Enjoy coffee with your favourite professors and mentors, meet colleagues from across the country at the gala dinner, and revitalise yourself in the group exercise session. The conference promises to nourish you physically, socially and intellectually. We look forward to seeing you there!

PAEDIATRIC FOAMED: PRO-VAC CONVERSATIONS IN VACCINE HESITANCY

Paediatricians are increasingly grappling with the challenge of vaccine hesitancy. It is crucial for us to develop the necessary skillset to effectively guide caregivers in making informed decisions for their children. Compassion and the ability to communicate complex information in a simple manner are key skills that we must learn and practice. This article seriesfrom Paediatric FOAMed, which stands for Free Open Access Medical Education, offers a comprehensive summary of these skills, along with multiple links for those interested in delving deeper into the data that informs vaccination recommendations and guidelines. Although the articles are based on the UK vaccination schedule, the principles are universally applicable, and can be readily adapted for use in South Africa.

Paediatric FOAMedis an invaluable resource that provides concise, evidence-based summaries across various paediatric specialties, including general paediatrics, community paediatrics, neonatology, and acute and intensive care. Whether you're preparing for an upcoming exam or simply seeking to expand your knowledge, bookmark this site and explore it regularly to stay informed and learn something new.

2 MINUTE MEDICINE

It's a common challenge for clinicians to feel that time is constantly in short supply. While we acknowledge the importance of staying up-to-date with the literature, it often feels like a luxury amidst the multitude of responsibilities we juggle. Enter 2 Minute Medicine, a curated collection of reports on impactful paediatric studies prepared by medical professionals. True to its name, each report offers a concise summary of the research article, known as the Study Rundown. This section, free from statistics, serves as a tantalizing teaser to capture your interest. Following that, an evidence rating level is provided, along with a link to the full-text article. Furthermore, a more detailed summary offers insights into the study's design, methodology and results. For those who prefer to listen on-the-go, a 2-minute medicine podcast is available as well. While this resource does not substitute for critical appraisal of medical literature, it serves as a valuable compass, directing you to articles that deserve further attention, all while helping you stay informed about developments in the field at large.

PAEDIATRIC EMERGENCY CARE AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN CHILDREN

The recent SAPA webinars on Common Paediatric Emergencies and Ethical Issues in Children garnered significant attendance in May and June 2023. Common Paediatric Emergency problems discussed the issue around fever and febrile seizures in infants, who needs further investigations and how to manage this very common scenario. We also discussed procedural analgesia in the emergency department and the use of Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in the Paediatric Emergency Room. If you missed out on these informative sessions, don't worry! You can catch up on the SAPA YouTube channel, where all webinars are freely available. SAPA webinars are held live on the last Wednesday of every month. To ensure you never miss an event, become a SAPA member (it's quick and free for 2023!) or sign up for the SAPA mailing list by reaching out to info@paediatrics.org.za. As a SAPA member, you'll earn CPD points for each live webinar you attend. Don't forget to add this must-attend event to your diary today!