21st EuGMS congress in Reykjavik

A technologist’s perspective: by David Vaca-Benavides (2nd cohort)

In the past, I attended a few technical conferences but the EuGMS congress offered me a different and unique perspective, as it was the first medical conference I ever attended. In this event, I had the opportunity to engage with geriatricians and have meaningful discussions, bringing together my view as an engineer and theirs as clinicians. Looking back to our training year with the ACRC, I was able to see first-hand how vital it is to replace technical jargon with lay language that can be easily understood across disciplines. During these discussions, I was thrilled to see how keen doctors are on using technology as a key tool to support their clinical work, and how relevant my PhD work is to solve real-world problems. 

At the congress, I gave an oral presentation about a wearable device we developed as an alternative treatment for urinary incontinence, as well as a poster presentation with the results of the effects of the electrical parameters used in tibial nerve stimulation for overactive bladder syndrome. In both cases, I was able to demonstrate the importance of an interdisciplinary approach in addressing an under-researched problem, such as incontinence, considered one of the ‘geriatric giants’.

As an attendee, I had the opportunity to join sessions covering a range of topics, from the impact of lifestyle and diet on healthy ageing to AI-powered diagnostics in healthcare. My take-home message is that, as researchers, we have the responsibility to contribute with cohesive and inclusive ways of providing care, without neglecting the human aspect and placing it as a key element. The way to achieve this is certainly through interdisciplinarity, taking the best of the relevant disciplines, and aligning them for a single goal: improving the quality of life for older adults.

On a final note, it was incredible to share with my PhD fellow students and researchers from the ACRC and affiliated programmes, in both professional and more relaxed settings, in such a beautiful city like Reykjavik. All of us did a great job in disseminating the work that the ACRC does for people in later life.

A geneticist’s perspective: by Vasilis Raptis (2nd cohort)

As a quantitative genetics researcher, attending the EuGMS congress was a unique opportunity to engage with an interdisciplinary audience in the field of geriatrics. Presenting my PhD work about the genetic background of delirium in such a setting illustrated the importance of framing my research to be accessible and intriguing across disciplines. It was, ultimately, rewarding to see people from diverse backgrounds and expertise showing interest in my work, and providing valuable insight. Overall, actively participating in EuGMS was a great learning experience that broadened my perspective beyond my expertise, especially by showcasing how interdisciplinary collaborations can lead to real-world impact.

An anthropologist’s perspective: by Ellie Falkingham (3rd cohort)

The EuGMS congress was my first time attending a conference abroad and my first medical conference – however it was encouraging to see how much the conversation about the needs and impacts of ageing populations overlaps with those within the UK social science context that I usually work in. 

I presented findings from my rapid review on future care planning, which I previously presented to the Scottish Governments Social Care Analytical Unit last October. The interdisciplinary training I have received through the ACRC has supported me in adapting my presentation for different audiences. Whether communicating with ACRC academics, policymakers in Scotland or geriatricians in Europe, I found the key is adapting my language for my audience and maintaining a clear key message: by better understanding and addressing future care needs within social care, we can better support independence and healthy ageing, potentially reducing the demand on healthcare services.

The recognition of the need for forward-thinking solutions with wider perspectives was echoed throughout the sessions I attended at the conference; From the WHO joint symposium on “Improving Care for Older People”, which highlighted the requirement to address ageism and called for a deeper, more widespread, understanding of older people’s needs and potential within medical practice, to Alma Moller’s opening address in which she commented that 'An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.' My experience at the EuGMS congress confirmed to me that having the skills to communicate across disciplines is not just desirable, but a fundamental necessity for tackling the grand challenge presented by ageing populations. It is incredibly valuable to be part of a PhD programme that recognises the importance of these skills and prioritises supporting us in developing them.

We are grateful to the EuGMS for welcoming us and for fostering such a stimulating and rich environment. We look forward to continuing these conversations from each of our core disciplines. Last but not least, a huge thank you to our funders for the opportunity to share our work with this thrilling community in Europe and beyond.