Pay it Forward: The Importance of Patient Interaction after Participating in the EASD 2024

Nice to meet you. I'm Eiki Homma, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for 12 years (2012.07 ~) 

On Sunday, October 6th, I had the privilege of presenting at the EASD debriefing session alongside 3 wonderful individuals: Dr. Kotani, Kasumi, and Yuki. 
We spoke in front of an audience of over 140 people. It was an exciting but nerve-wracking experience, as the attendees ranged from people I have worked with closely to those I met for the first time.
I can't help but wonder how the atmosphere would have been different if we had held the event in person. 
Speaking in public remains a personal challenge for me. My father told me, "Speak with more confidence," and he’s absolutely right. When I stand in front of an audience, I become overly conscious of my language, which I want to improve.

What is EASD

The European Association for the Study of Diabetes e.V. (EASD) is a membership-based academic non-profit organization. It was founded in 1965 and aims to encourage and support research in the field of diabetes, the rapid diffusion of acquired knowledge, and its application.

https://www.easd.org/about-easd.html

The debriefing session was enjoyable and a valuable opportunity to recognize that my thinking is still somewhat shallow.

I hope this session inspired more people to adopt the "Pay it forward" mindset. No matter how much we grow, it's important to share our experiences and offer hope and knowledge to others.

After attending the EASD virtual event, I felt most strongly about the importance of peer connections. When we gain knowledge and exchange ideas with others who have type 1 diabetes, it helps us see things from new perspectives and fosters further growth. 
Even in a virtual format, participating in Zoom calls before, during, and after the EASD to exchange ideas with other attendees was incredibly valuable. (We even connected on social media during the event.)

In comparison to the Japan Diabetes Society Annual Meeting held in Japan, I noticed a few differences.
Patients were finally able to participate at the 67th annual meeting in May 2024. This was a first-time attempt, and I look forward to seeing how it evolves in the future.
Some areas for improvement I noticed during my participation include:

• Providing more opportunities for networking and discussion

• Allowing type 1 patients to attend company exhibitions

• Creating sessions for patients (such as networking spaces) during lunch seminars

• Making the schedule more straightforward to navigate

The first 2 points became even more apparent to me after attending EASD.

"Providing more opportunities for networking and discussion”

Networking and discussions help deepen knowledge. Since attendees come from various countries, we can think about issues from diverse perspectives, which also helps us recognize Japan’s strengths. Some countries use more advanced insulin pumps, while others don’t have access to them. This made me realize how fortunate we are in Japan and reminded me to appreciate the treatment we currently receive. At the same time, it gave me hope for further improvements and the possibility of an even more comfortable life.

"Allowing type 1 patients to attend company exhibitions"

It’s hard for me to understand why the end-users, the patients, weren’t able to see or experience the products. 
Although I didn’t attend EASD in person, I heard from a connection on Instagram that they enjoyed talking directly with company representatives and exchanging ideas. I would love to have that experience as well. Companies surely want to hear honest feedback from patients. Even if healthcare professionals praise a product, it won’t gain widespread use unless the actual users—patients—find it easy to use.

In conclusion

The rise of social media and online meetings has made great strides, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, I still prefer in-person interaction. I want to experience the venue’s atmosphere, observe subtle facial expressions, and have conversations without time delays.
Next year, I wish to attend the conference in Vienna, Austria.