Day 1 Summary
Await On Monday, October 14, leading experts gathered for the Day 1 of the workshop tackling major healthcare topics. Professor Darwin Labarthe kicked off with a deep dive into the global impact of cardiovascular diseases. Professor Shrikant Bangdiwala followed with a session on basic statistics, later guiding participants through practical exercises. In the afternoon, Professor Kay-Tee Khaw explored the intersection of patients and population health, while Professor Neil Poulter wrapped up with a compelling talk on association versus causation in medical research, underscoring its importance for evidence-based decisions.
Day 2 Summary
On Day 2 of the ISCEP 2024 seminar, held on 15 October, discussions among the faculty and fellows focused on critical topics related to cardiovascular prevention and epidemiology. Key areas covered included the rates and risks associated with cardiovascular diseases, concepts in basic statistics, and the role of blood pressure as a risk factor, particularly in relation to physical exercise. Additionally, the importance of accurate measurements in epidemiological studies was emphasized, along with discussions on diet and nutrition, highlighting their significant impact on cardiovascular health.
Day 3 Summary
The third day of ISCEP 2024, hosted by RemediumOne in Colombo, Sri Lanka, featured in-depth discussions and hands-on sessions focused on key aspects of cardiovascular epidemiology and prevention. A significant portion of the day was dedicated to cross-sectional study design, where participants explored the methodological framework, advantages, and limitations of this widely used epidemiological approach. This was followed by a statistics session on analyzing discrete data, equipping attendees with essential tools to handle and interpret categorical data in research. The day concluded with a group discussion that involved the critical evaluation of a cross-sectional study conducted in Sri Lanka, allowing participants to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world research while fostering collaborative learning.
Day 4 Summary
The fourth day of ISCEP 2024 focused on advanced epidemiological study designs and key risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The morning sessions began with a lecture on case-control studies delivered by Prof. Neil Poulter, where participants explored the intricacies of this retrospective study design, including its strengths, weaknesses, and application in cardiovascular research. This was followed by a session on statistical modeling, presented by Prof. George Howard, offering participants valuable insights into complex statistical techniques used in epidemiological research.
Following a brief coffee break, attendees participated in small group discussions to critically analyze a case-control study paper, encouraging collaboration and in-depth exploration of real-world research applications.
In the afternoon, after a period of free time, participants reconvened for two lectures. Prof. Doriraj Prabhakaran delivered a comprehensive session on the relationship between smoking and cardiovascular disease, highlighting key findings from epidemiological research. The day concluded with a lecture by Prof. Neil Poulter on lipids and their role in cardiovascular risk, providing attendees with a well-rounded understanding of lipid management in prevention strategies.
Day 5 Summary
The fifth day of ISCEP 2024 delved into critical longitudinal research designs and their relevance to cardiovascular epidemiology. The morning kicked off with a lecture by Prof. Kay-Tee Khaw, where participants explored longitudinal studies, focusing on the challenges and opportunities of tracking health outcomes over extended periods.
This was followed by Prof. George Howard’s second lecture on statistical modeling, offering advanced insights into the statistical methods crucial for analyzing longitudinal data in epidemiological research.
After a brief coffee break, attendees split into small groups to critically assess a cohort study paper, facilitating collaborative learning and the application of theoretical concepts to real-world research challenges.
The afternoon included free time for participants to relax and recharge. Later, the group reconvened for an afternoon tea break, followed by two consecutive lectures.
Prof. Neil Poulter presented a detailed session on blood pressure and its management in cardiovascular disease prevention, providing valuable information on evidence-based strategies. The day concluded with a lecture by Prof. Doriraj Prabhakaran, addressing the growing global concerns of diabetes and obesity, and their implications for cardiovascular health.
Day 6 Summary
The sixth day of ISCEP 2024 focused on advanced concepts in clinical trial design and statistical modeling in cardiovascular research. The morning began with a lecture on clinical trials delivered by Prof. Asita de Silva, covering key aspects of designing, conducting, and analyzing clinical trials. This session provided participants with a deep understanding of trial methodology and its application in public health research.
Following this, Prof. George Howard presented the third session in a series on statistical modeling, expanding on the complex statistical techniques essential for interpreting trial data. This lecture offered participants valuable insights into advanced modeling strategies for large-scale epidemiological studies.
After a brief coffee break, participants engaged in small group discussions, where they critically examined a trial paper. These interactive sessions encouraged collaboration and practical application of the trial design concepts discussed earlier.
In the afternoon, participants had time to unwind and connect during a social program, providing an opportunity to relax and network. The day concluded with a series of informal gatherings, allowing for continued discussions and reflections on the day’s topics.
Day Off
Day 7 Summary
Morning Sessions: The day began with a lecture by Prof. Poornima Prabhakaran on the impact of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) across the life course, with a particular focus on early-life factors contributing to long-term cardiovascular health. This session explored the importance of preventive strategies during early developmental stages.
Following this, Prof. George Howard delivered a session on advanced statistical modeling techniques, continuing the exploration of quantitative methods that are pivotal in cardiovascular research. Participants deepened their understanding of complex data analysis approaches, critical for designing robust research studies.
Small Group Discussions: Participants then engaged in small group discussions aimed at protocol development, where they applied the concepts learned to real-world scenarios. These sessions were invaluable for fostering collaborative thinking and refining participants' research skills.
Afternoon and Evening Sessions: The afternoon provided some free time for participants to rest and reflect on the day's material. After a relaxing break with tea, the program resumed with Prof Fausto J Pinto leading a lecture on the World Heart Observatory, where participants gained insights into global cardiovascular disease surveillance, data collection, and its role in shaping health policies worldwide.
The day concluded with another lecture by Prof. George Howard, this time focusing on stroke, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. His presentation offered an in-depth understanding of stroke risk factors, prevention strategies, and the latest research advancements.
Day 8 Summary
Morning Sessions: The day commenced with a lecture by Prof. Poornima Prabhakaran, focusing on environmental factors and pollution as key contributors to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Prof. Prabhakaran emphasized the growing impact of air quality, climate change, and urbanization on heart health, stressing the need for comprehensive public health strategies to mitigate these risks.
This was followed by a session on determining the appropriate sample size for clinical trials, a fundamental aspect of research methodology. The session provided participants with the knowledge to calculate and justify sample sizes, ensuring the statistical validity and reliability of their studies.
Small Group Discussions: Later in the morning, participants regrouped for another interactive session on protocol development. Building upon previous sessions, they further refined their research proposals, incorporating insights from the day’s earlier lectures.
Afternoon and Evening Sessions: After a period of free time and a tea break, the afternoon resumed with a lecture by Dr Bamba Gaye on the role of genetics and precision medicine in CVD management. This session highlighted the advances in personalized healthcare, including the use of genetic markers to predict cardiovascular risk and tailor treatment strategies to individual patients.
The day concluded with Prof Fausto J Pinto presenting on CVD prevention trials. His lecture reviewed landmark studies and ongoing trials focused on preventing cardiovascular events, offering participants a deeper understanding of intervention strategies aimed at reducing the global burden of heart disease.
Day 9 Summary
Morning Sessions: The day began with a lecture by Prof. Dorairaj Prabhakaran on health systems and the implementation of strategies aimed at improving cardiovascular outcomes. This session emphasized the role of health systems in delivering scalable and sustainable interventions to prevent and manage cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
Following this, Prof. Shrikant Bangdiwala presented a session on meta-analysis and its applications in cardiovascular research. The lecture focused on the importance of synthesizing evidence from multiple studies to derive meaningful conclusions that guide clinical and public health decisions.
Afternoon and Evening Sessions: After a break for lunch and some free time, the afternoon resumed with a lecture led by Prof. Darwin Labarthe and Prof. Neil Poulter on population-based blood pressure reduction strategies. The session provided a practical example of how population-level interventions can lead to significant reductions in cardiovascular disease risk factors.
The day concluded with another lecture by Prof. Darwin Labarthe and Prof. Poulter on global CVD policy and prevention strategies. The discussion centered on the development of global policies aimed at addressing the growing burden of cardiovascular diseases and the importance of coordinated prevention efforts.
Day 10 Summary
Morning Sessions: Day 11 began with protocol presentations by the ISCEP fellows. Each group presented their research protocoxls, reflecting on the key learnings and methodologies developed during the seminar. These presentations were a culmination of the knowledge gained over the course of the program, showcasing participants' ability to design robust research studies in the field of cardiovascular disease prevention and control.
After a short coffee break, the presentations resumed, providing an opportunity for fellows to receive valuable feedback from peers and faculty alike, helping them refine their research skills further.
Afternoon and Evening Sessions: Following lunch and some free time, the afternoon program included a discussion session led by the ISCEP faculty. This provided a reflective and interactive platform where key takeaways from the seminar were discussed, with faculty offering insights into the future of cardiovascular disease research and prevention.
The day concluded with an evaluation of the program and a formal graduation ceremony, celebrating the participants’ hard work and accomplishments throughout ISCEP 2024. Fellows received certificates and congratulations from faculty members, marking the successful conclusion of an intensive and rewarding learning experience.
