The ESCP, in conjunction with the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation (ECCO), will hold the first ESCP masterclass in April 2015, in Moscow, Russia. In this exclusive interview, ESCP President, Professor Yury Shelygin, outlines the aims of the course and stresses the importance of the multi-disciplinary team approach when treating ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
The aim of the masterclass is educational and we are pleased to announce that the course will be translated simultaneously into both English and Russian,” explained Shelygin. “It is important that the key messages delivered by the speakers at the course are available for the non-English speaking doctors and trainees."
According to Shelygin, the masterclass will feature imaging, medical therapy and surgical presentations on ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, and emphasise the main message that the most effective approach to treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is a multi-disciplinary team approach.
The fact of the matter is that in Russia, the multi-disciplinary team approach when treating IBD is not established all over the country. It is therefore imperative and of huge importance that we educate our colleagues of the greater advantages such an approach can deliver in terms of patient outcomes,” he stressed. “This is why I believe that all specialists - whether they are coloproctologists, gastroenterologists, endoscopists or radiologist should attend the course. It does not matter whether they are consultants or registrars, the masterclass has something for everyone.”
Although this initial course will concentrate on ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and examine the role of imaging, medical therapy and surgical treatment, it is hoped that future masterclass courses may incorporate additional aspects of colorectal disease.
Although this first course will focus on IBD, in my opinion such a masterclass should cover not only IBD, but other malignant and benign diseases of the colon and rectum,” he added. “And in addition to expanding the subject matter we could co-operate and learn from specialists from other societies such as medical oncologists, gynecologists, urologists etc. We are hoping to organise future ESCP masterclasses especially in Eastern Europe. As language barriers do exist, the events would incorporate simultaneous translation and allows us to further colorectal education in these regions.”
To view the masterclass programme and to register: click here.
This event is supported by an education grant from 
