by Elena Bondareva, MD, PhDMSc Candidate in Molecular Precision Medicine
The European Academy of Neurology introduced its Congress Masterclasses format in March 2023, creating an excellent platform for neurologists to deepen their expertise in a collaborative and engaging atmosphere. My first experience with this format took place in the charming city of Salzburg, where I was drawn by the unique opportunity to engage in in-depth discussions on managing myasthenia gravis, inflammatory myopathies, and hyperCKemia in small groups. What stood out was the intimate setting, which fostered meaningful interactions not only with participants but also with leading experts in neuromuscular diseases.
The first masterclass I attended focused on ‘The Role of Complement Inhibition in Neurological Rare Diseases: from Myasthenia Gravis to Other Muscle Diseases’. To prepare, we had to listen to recordings of exceptional lectures from previous EAN Congresses via the EAN eLearning platform, eanCampus. This preparatory step was invaluable, as the masterclass emphasised live discussions on the given topic, offering a chance to pose questions directly to experts and share our clinical and research experiences with colleagues from different countries.
The day was structured into a welcome session with an introduction to the agenda and speakers and four 50-minute sessions, each held in small groups, interspersed with coffee breaks and lunch. These sessions provided an ideal format for deep dives into clinical and research challenges, while the breaks offered further opportunities to network and exchange ideas. An intriguing aspect of the masterclass was the active participation of pharmaceutical companies’ representatives, who contributed valuable perspectives from the industry side, enriching our discussions.
As the day concluded, all participants and speakers gathered for a final session to reflect on the new experience, share feedback, and celebrate the day’s achievements. The event wrapped up with the awarding of participant certificates, followed by an aperitif. The productive day ended with a delicious and memorable dinner in a restaurant, during which the participants and speakers continued communication. Networking was so engaging that many of us kept on with our conversations until late in the evening.
The success of this masterclass inspired me to participate in two more, held in November 2023 in Vienna and in March 2024 in Dresden. These experiences not only broadened my theoretical knowledge across various neurological domains but also connected me with colleagues from diverse healthcare systems. These connections have endured to this day, and I have met many of them again at other EAN events and beyond.
Looking ahead, the next EAN Masterclasses are scheduled for 22 November 2024, in Munich, and 28 March 2025, in Vienna. These sessions will cover ‘Towards a New Standard of Care for Innovative Treatments in Autoimmune Neuromuscular Disorders’ and ‘Innovative Treatments in Neuroimmunological Rare Disorders’ respectively. I plan to attend and wholeheartedly encourage my colleagues to take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to enhance their knowledge, expand their professional networks, and potentially find lifelong collaborators and friends.
An important benefit of EAN Masterclasses is the opportunity of a limited travel or accommodation grant of up to €300, which covers one night in the event hotel. Additionally, the masterclasses’ rotation across different cities has given me a chance to immerse myself in local culture, enjoy regional culinary delights during a joint lunch and dinner such as traditional Saxon pancakes, Austrian kaiserschmarrn, and Wiener schnitzel, and explore the historical and picturesque sites of Salzburg, Vienna, and Dresden.
I look forward to continuing my journey with EAN Masterclasses and hope to see you there, ready to learn, connect, and contribute to the ever-evolving field of neurology.
