5th IPCRG World Conference 2–5 June 2010, Toronto, Canada
Conference planning has been finalised and the abstract submission date has now passed. We are expecting participants from over 40 countries, some supported by an expanded bursary programme. This has benefitted from a grant from Mundipharma International Ltd, added to our own funds. We expect to welcome up to 50 people through this programme. Click here for more information http://www.ipcrg-toronto2010.org/
Research
E-faculty
Our innovative e-faculty programme is on target. We hope several abstracts will be presented by the Vietnamese team that we have supported over the last 18 months. They have also succeeded in submitting their first fundraising bid for TB detection. A research idea on barriers to smoking cessation in Romanian general practice will also be presented by the Romanian team who are holding their first workshop on qualitative research and smoking cessation interventions at their family medicine conference in Bucharest this month.
Research needs statement
We are delighted with the engagement of the IPCRG network in developing research needs statement in the five areas of tobacco dependence, respiratory infections, asthma, COPD and allergic rhinitis. We hope these will be published in time for the conference in June and form the framework for primary care respiratory research over the next five years.
Two new research projects funded by the UK respiratory research foundation are under way.
Qualitative exploration and quantitative validation of the Royal College of Physician's three questions for assessment of asthma control (RCP3Qs) when used in the Quality and Outcome Framework indicator pilot 2009/10. (This project is also supported by the Primary Care Respiratory Society UK.)
A qualitative analysis of barriers, motivation to quit and tailored interventions for smoking cessation in smokers with and without COPD.
Education
The IPCRG academy programme continues to build on its successes. There are four programmes that will take place this year. For full details please visit http://www.theipcrg.org/educprog/index.php
The IPCRG has been requested to run a major plenary symposium at the Wonca Europe conference in Malaga in September. This will be on early diagnosis in COPD and cover barriers and solutions to early diagnosis and time-effective smoking cessation interventions. COPD is often regarded by doctors as a ‘heartsink’ disease with few treatment options. This symposium may alter that viewpoint.