Lifelong learning, the greatest celebration of all - EuroPCR 2022

Resilience and adaptation, throughout

The last time we had the pleasure of gathering face to face in Paris was in 2019, when we celebrated the Course’s 30-year anniversary and launched the PCR Companions programme. We shall not dwell on circumstances since then but focus rather on your exceptional resilience over the past couple of years. PCR was proud to be able to provide support and maintain the link with the community throughout, even at the peak of the pandemic. Indeed, the team rose to the challenging task of completely rebuilding education. You may like to read more about how PCR Courses adapted and evolved to this innovative and blended onsite/online edition of EuroPCR in an article on pages 16–17. It echoes some of our deeper reflections on how ‘Education must go on...’ shared earlier this year in EuroIntervention.¹

A silver lining: Enhanced global outreach

Prior to the recurring lockdowns, digital education was of course already an option for those unable to travel. However, the pandemic triggered a massive IT enterprise at PCR that has resulted in a giant leap in technology and increased opportunities for real-time interaction during our Courses. Consequently, this year EuroPCR’s digital package is giving practitioners all around the world access to an unprecedented quality of content and real-time peer exchange between onsite and online participants that was not previously available. This is a fantastic means to promote the worldwide standardisation of practice. A practical example is the simulation-based learning that is bringing the online participant so close up that they could almost be in the room. Topics covered include image-guided bifurcation stenting - live from Japan; antegrade CTO; TAVI; bifurcation techniques and transseptal puncture for mitral interventions.

Nothing beats face-to-face interaction

Still, we can only rejoice at how many of our peers are actually joining us in person, in Paris. Participants will always recognise face-to-face learning as being the crème de la crème of education, for countless reasons. Open discussions in a non-judgmental environment foster collective intelligence and enable you to readily assess and consolidate your knowledge; hands-on experience in the Training Village is the ultimate means for improving your practical skills; and simply being together of course develops a beneficial sense of community and belonging. On this note, may we invite all healthcare practitioners to sign up to the PCR Companions collective programme. Over 10,000 have already done so, and those onsite can take advantage of a dedicated Lounge where they can network, relax and celebrate being back together again.

Much cause to celebrate

We are fortunate to have several reasons to celebrate this year. First among them are the 20 years of TAVI and 30 years of radial access, which have both had such a positive impact for our cardiovascular patients. At PCR Publishing, there are multiple events to rejoice over too: the 10^th anniversary of the EAPCI-PCR Textbook, over 200 issues of EuroIntervention, the indexing of AsiaIntervention in PubMed, the redesign of the PCR Trials Book, and 20 years since PCRonline was launched. Our thanks here to all of the editors, authors, readers, submitters, partners and everyone behind the scenes who have contributed to their great relevance and success.

An extensive programme for onsite and online participants

The synergy of worldwide practitioners, institutions and national societies has gone into making EuroPCR 2022’s programme fully relevant to the community’s daily practice. There’s the return of LIVE demonstrations in the Main Arena, where you’ll be able to learn from educational cases on NSTEMI PCI, OCT in MVD PCI, robotic PCI, TAVI and transcatheter mitral edge interventions. Important new data will be shared in the late-breaking trial presentations, innovation will be in the spotlight, and among the 290+ sessions you’ll find a great insight into ‘The cathlab of tomorrow, already here today’ and all the latest on the management of hypertension. This happens to coincide with World Hypertension Day, which is focusing this year on the accurate control of blood pressure.

Built as always, by and for the community

We’re delighted to host the EAPCI-PCR Fellows Course, and to have tailored a programme for the nurses and allied professionals who play such an important role in the cathlab, and with so much dedication. We also look forward to discovering all the sessions built from the great work you sent into this year’s Calls for Submissions, and to following the different competitions: the inspiring PCR’s Got Talent scientific abstract competition; the Jon DeHaan Foundation’s generous grant for the best innovation that will be announced during PCR Innovators Day; and a brand new Personalised Care Award. Our industry partners have also provided valuable support for a sponsored programme, for what promises to be a bustling Training Village, and an Exhibition Area in which to keep up to date on all the latest news and innovations.

Seize the moment, share the knowledge

You will all have exclusive access to the replays and videos on demand for 3 months, so we recommend you take the time to browse the programme and choose carefully what you want to join ‘live’ - in Paris or from home. Take advantage of every single moment over the 4 days to learn and interact with your peers. Whether it’s by raising a traditional hand, asking a question via the PCR Courses app, or on the platform’s real-time chat, each minute is precious! Don’t hesitate to join the discussion on social media too, using #EuroPCR. Then, after the Course, take the time to reflect on the key take-home messages, to share and discuss them with your colleagues back home, and to apply them in your daily practice.

Finally, our most sincere thanks to all of you. Your participation in EuroPCR proves your commitment to lifelong learning and to providing better patient care. And that deserves the greatest celebration of all.

Reference

1. Wijns W, Fajadet J, Prendergast BD, Doncieux M. Education must go on... Eurointervention 2022;1044-1045. 

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