4 April 2018
Programme: PATh 2018
Location: Le Meridien Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
A media briefing and diabetes symposium were organised under PATh Malaysia (Patient Algorithm Therapy for Metabolic Control) to promote structured lifestyle intervention for better diabetes management in line with the transcultural diabetes-specific nutrition algorithm (tDNA).
This event was jointly organised by The Malaysian Endocrine and Metabolic Society (MEMS), Malaysian Dietitians’ Association (MDA), Malaysian Diabetes Educators’ Society (MDES) and Diabetes Malaysia (DM) with the support of Abbott Malaysia.
These events were planned following the positive results reported by the Malaysian tDNA study, “Structured Lifestyle Intervention Based On A Trans-cultural Diabetes Specific Nutrition Algorithm (tDNA) in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomised Control Trial” which was published by Chee SS et al. in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care 2017 and also timed to coincide with the visit of Associate Professor Dr Osama Hamdy to Malaysia. A/Prof Dr Osama Hamdy is the Medical Director of Obesity Clinical Programme at Joslin Diabetes Centre and also founder of the Why WAIT (Weight Achievement & Intensive Treatment) Programme.
Media Briefing (March 14, 2017)
With a catchy title of “The Diabetes Breakthrough: Managing Your Diabetes With Effective Diet & Lifestyle Measures”, over 15 media from major news and health publications were drawn to attend the briefing. The media were better able to understand the challenges of managing diabetes in Malaysia through the series of well-planned lectures. They were indeed encouraged to know that the Malaysian tDNA study was effective in helping patients achieve better blood glucose control and also lose excess weight. In closing, we exhorted patients with diabetes to visit their healthcare professional and follow a structured lifestyle intervention so that they can manage diabetes well and have a better quality of life.
Practical Diabetes Symposium (Mar 16-17, 2018)
Aptly themed, “Updates & Algorithms for Multi-Disciplinary Clinical Practice”, this event aimed to promote a multi-disciplinary team approach in diabetes management, by highlighting the importance of diet, physical activity and weight management as a structured lifestyle intervention. The event was attended by over 110 delegates from Malaysia, Cambodia and Myanmar. The healthcare professionals included endocrinologists, nephrologists, physicians, dietitians and nurses.
The symposium began with an evening talk by A/Prof Dr Osama Hamdy, who shared learnings from Joslin Diabetes Centre’s Why WAIT programme to the eager audience. The following day, Professor Dato’ Paduka Dr Mafauzy Mohamed, senior consultant endocrinologist, spoke on the challenges in diabetes control in Malaysia. A/Prof Dr Osama Hamdy then provided valuable insights on why we should focus on reducing body weight through the structured lifestyle intervention, and not the traditional A1C model. Dr Zanariah, consultant endocrinologist and physician, followed by highlighting the effectiveness of the Malaysian tDNA which incorporated motivational interviewing and diabetes-specific formula as meal replacement in managing diabetes in a primary care setting. Finally, Dr Wong Ping Foo, family medicine specialist, shared the different initiatives conducted by the Ministry of Health Malaysia through their Health Clinics to combat the rising prevalence of diabetes.
After the Plenary Session, participants were divided into two groups for interactive case discussions. Prof Mafauzy and A/Prof Dr Osama Hamdy facilitated group discussions on “Managing Complicated Cases” while Dr Zanariah, Dr Lee Ching Li (dietitian) and Dr Tan Ming Yeong (diabetes educator) focused on “tDNA Application with Motivational Interviewing”.
All delegates were impressed with the effectiveness of the structured lifestyle intervention. They also found the symposium insightful and were eager to learn more so that they can help their patients manage diabetes well.
Please view the photos from the galleries below: