BAPIO are delighted and honoured to announce the successful launch of the first National MERiT Conference for students and junior doctors at St George’s University on 30th March 2019. Held in collaboration with Medical Colleges across London.
The conference welcomed over 150 delegates from across the country and even as far afield as Hungary. Another 100 students and junior doctors were placed on the waiting list.
Following initial introductions by Dr Mehta, the conference opened with a keynote speech by Prof Dame Parveen Kumar and provided medical students and trainees career advice from leaders within the NHS.
With the help of over 50 junior doctors, workshops covered a wide spectrum of themes including career progression, critical appraisal and broadening horizons. Students were given insight into the methodology behind the assessment of research articles and interpretation of results, as well as unique networking, career and educational opportunities. Ongoing support and career advice to anyone wishing to receive further information will be provided by junior doctor mentors over the year.
All attendees were invited to submit poster abstracts with cash prizes for the top three posters presented. With the help of conference partners including Barclays Bank and Medical Defence Shield, and support from BAPIO, delegates were able to attend the conference without any charge and were also provided with lunch.
The feedback for the conference has been unprecedented with students praising the knowledge base of junior doctors, the quality of teaching, enthusiasm and energy, as well as the organisation and wide array of facets covered.
The hard work of the organising committee has lead to the inception of a new conference to provide students and trainees comprehensive and useful information as well as cultivate new contacts; a platform has undoubtedly been created for the National MERiT conference to continue as an annual event.
