The Concept of Program of the Clinical Endocrinology Update

Introduction

From September 6 to September 8, 2018, the Endocrine Society will be organizing a conference in Miami, Florida, aimed at developing the professional skills of those that work with endocrine disorders. With the target audience being pharmacists, physicians-in-practice, and nurses, the topic of the conference aligns with the interests of those engaged in an RN-to-BSN program. The three-day program allows attending lectures of practicing professionals, with topics ranging from management of specific diseases to gender-particular treatments and disorders, allowing full-immersion in acute endocrine issues for those pursuing nursing.

Problems and Solutions

Endocrine issues, when present, permeate the overall health of patients, affecting everything from heartbeat to sexual dysfunction, with one of the most common endocrine disorders being diabetes. Despite some issues seeming ordinary, there remain unexplored concerns, even in popular topics and whole subjects that still do not have adequate professional attention. Thus, understanding the lack of coverage on specific issues, the program of the Clinical Endocrinology Update (CEU) attempts through lectures to tackle the problems below:

• medical and financial matters linked with the treatment of diabetes;
• the invisibility of the medical problems of transgender women and men;
• thyroid and adrenal cases and their treatment;
• the combating of obesity through diet and medication;
• women’s health-related issues such as menopause, pregnancy, and PCOS.

Through discourse, exhibits, and a question-and-answer approach, the CEU encourages the exchange of experience between long-practicing professionals and those still furthering their education. The attendance of nurses in the CEU becomes significant, mainly since “key treatment actions are managed by [diabetes specialist] nurses, and they are key actors in diabetes management” (Aguirre-Duarte, 2015, p. 69). Thus, the CEU encompasses a chance to develop further crucial professional health care skills, expand previous knowledge on endocrine disorders, and from this, specific competencies can be developed, such as:

• the advancement of health knowledge through the exchange of ideas;
• the attainment of communication between colleagues and other healthcare professionals;
• the identification and filling of knowledge gaps;
• the apperception of possible professional goals and research.

Opportunities Gained

The furthering of the medical knowledge of participants is one of the most significant areas of development over the course of the CEU. In addition to this, the update also aims at advancing professionalism, as well as providing a chance for practice-based learning, which cultivates the skills needed in a professional environment (Burson, 2017). With nurses playing an essential role in endocrine care, the heightening of their level of professionalism helps create more educated and prepared conditions for patients. With the role and responsibility of nurses expanding, it is crucial to achieve a quality of care that is impossible without ancillary education, such as conferences, seminars, and even online courses.

Those pursuing nursing as a career and those currently advancing their education achieve, through such conferences, not only access to present-day information on acute issues in endocrinology but also connect with professionals in the field. This creates a network, where “work that is done in relation to improving outcomes for patients and healthcare systems is increasingly viewed as important knowledge that will be accrued and shared to produce further improvements” (Burson, 2017, p. 60). The professional goal of creating a network of healthcare professionals becomes beneficial not only to nurses directly participating in the structure but also to patients, who benefit from the exchange of procedural and declarative knowledge.

Conclusion

With preparedness to accommodate patients becoming an essential part of being a healthcare professional, the knowledge linked with specialized care must be acquired not only through schooling but also through personally branching out. Personal initiative to gain auxiliary skills through conference attendance and networking with accomplished professionals allow for the creation of a qualified healthcare workforce. The September Clinical Endocrinology Update dealing with endocrine patient care furthers the improvement of those skills, which are needed to combat the newer issues in the healthcare system.

References

Aguirre-Duarte, N. (2015). Increasing collaboration between health professionals. Clues and challenges. Colombia Médica, 46(2), 66-70. Web.

Burson, R. (2017). Scholarship in practice. In K. Moran, R. Burson & D. Conrad (Eds.), The doctor of nursing practice scholarly project (2nd ed.) (pp. 59-79). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.