ESPE Abstracts

Background: Practicing as a Pediatric Endocrinologist in Armenia means living in a middle- to low-income country with semi-closed borders associated with war and conflicts. There are therefore fewer opportunities to attend educational events or training at highly rated hospitals worldwide to improve knowledge and skills on pediatric endocrinology. In April 2023 the Endocrine Society of Pediatric Endocrinologists (ESPE) held the ESPE Caucasus & Central Asia School (C&CAS) in Armenia in order to support and increase the expertise and knowledge in the field of pediatric endocrinology. The School brought together international experts and local physicians to exchange best practices and clinical insights in pediatric endocrinology. The educational program covered a wide range of topics including thyroid disorders, diabetes management, growth disorders, and other hormonal disturbances.

Objective: The current abstract highlights the impact of the ESPE C&CA School on pediatric endocrinologists’ professional improvement in Armenia.

Results: To evaluate the significance of the ESPE C&CA School we sent a questionnaire to all participants from Armenia (12 participants out of 22). Of the participants, 75% found the school very useful, and 25% found it useful. Three of the participants have experience with one of the previous ESPE schools. Participants were asked “If the ESPE C&CAS had not been held in Armenia would you have participated?” The majority 66.7% (n=8) answered “no”, 25% (n=3) answered “yes”, and 8.3% (n=1) answered “difficult to answer”. This shows the importance of organizing the ESPE School not only in the heart of Europe, but also in countries with less opportunity for doctors to attend and to share the knowledge and expertise.

Conclusion: The improvement and harmonization of knowledge and professional skills in pediatric endocrinology is important for all developing countries, but is crucial in countries such as Armenia, taking into account their income, healthcare organization and geographics. Armed with the latest evidence-based guidelines and therapeutic approaches, Armenian participants returned to their respective practices with newfound confidence and expertise. In addition, the ESPE School promoted networking and collaboration, which helped the Armenian pediatric endocrinology community build a strong support system and what the most important - saving life for the patients. This network continues to serve as a valuable resource for ongoing learning, knowledge sharing, and professional development.