Trainees Day 2023

The annual gastroenterology trainees’ day was held over two days at the Grand Millennium Hotel in April this year. We are delighted to report on another highly successful event as 24 registrars from across Aotearoa came together for educational talks, networking and learning. The feedback received from delegates was overwhelmingly positive and paid service to the innovative rolling curriculum put together by past and current trainees.

This year we held an entirely in-person event with only one remote session from two recent graduates of the program. We are so grateful to our speakers who travelled from afar including Christchurch, Palmerston North, Tauranga, Waikato and all around Tāmaki Makaurau. This was made possible through generous sponsorship gifted by our principal sponsor, Pharmaco (NZ) Ltd and also Norgine, who we welcomed as new partners this year.

Over the course of the event, we heard from experts speak on a broad range of high-yield topics. Within hepatology, we heard about the latest developments in management of portal hypertension, autoimmune hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and liver disease of pregnancy. Within the luminal domain, we explored biologic sequencing in IBD, and what to consider when managing pre- and post-operative = care of these cases. There was also an intriguing talk from an eminent radiologist on imaging modalities in IBD. Talks on endoscopy covered basic techniques and troubleshooting, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and third space endoscopy. There were also sessions on functional and nutritional issues, which were particularly helpful. We also discussed how we might address equity in Māori populations with reference to recent proposed changes in bowel screening access.

There was a real sense of community in the room with free-flowing coffee, kai and chatter. We would like to give special thanks to Conference Innovators for their hard work, organization, and cooperation in making this event possible. Planning is already underway for delivery of the next meeting in the first half of 2024.

Ngā mihi,
Michael Chieng and Vicki McGarrigle
On behalf of the Gastroenterology Trainees in Aotearoa