Our first ever Lewy body MasterClass – a success!
Event reportsLast week saw the first ever MasterClass from our new Lewy Body Academy. Supported by an educational grant from the Lewy Body Society, the course was delivered in collaboration with Lewy Body Ireland.
With so little chance for networking over the past year or so due to the pandemic, our MasterClass began with an opportunity to connect with colleagues over a formal dinner. The evening featured guest speaker Lesley Magee, a renowned Northern Ireland-based musician and ambassador for the Lewy Body Society whose father was diagnosed with LBD in recent years.
The MasterClass, aimed at clinicians working with older adults at risk of, or living, with dementia, was attended in person by 30 geriatricians, old age psychiatrists, neurologists, clinical nurse specialists and allied health professionals (fig 1).
Figure 1: The Lewy body MasterClass - delegates and speakers
The packed programme featured a range of expert speakers, including Prof Dag Aarsland, chair of the ISTAART Professional Interest Group for Lewy body dementias, Prof John O'Brien, developer of the DIAMOND Lewy toolkit, and people affected by Lewy body dementia themselves.
Figure 2: Prof Iracema Leroi
It also featured a number of our Lewy Body Academy's Faculty, including Prof Iracema Leroi, Dr Seán O’Dowd, and Prof John-Paul Taylor, dubbed 'one of the 5 leading global experts' in Lewy body dementia (fig 3).
Did you know that @John_PaulTaylor is one of the 5 leading experts on #Lewybodydementia in the world? @jc_cannon13 @lbsorg the number of tags in this #LBMC thread to long for my wrist, please RT for me? pic.twitter.com/rTbtIGnw2I
— LewyLady (aka Kitty Wake) (@LewyLady) November 5, 2021
Figure 3: Tweet from Kitty Wake (@LewyLady), Founder and Chair of Trustees for the Lewy Body Society
Some sessions were conducted in lecture style, whilst others were case-based discussions, encouraged by the layout of the room, with all attendees seated in a horseshoe.
Supported by Lewy Body Society and the Lewy Body Dementia Association, the MasterClass featured a session highlighting the value of the voluntary sector and the community support available for families affected by Lewy body dementia. There was also a valuable panel discussion midway in the programme considering the importance of care pathway planning for Lewy body dementia, from diagnosis through to the end of life, with a range of experts sharing their own experiences.
Delegate feedback
"Very clinically relevant to my practice"
"Great sessions, interactive discussions, good peer interaction and networking"
"Chance for discussion and learning from peers, very useful, highlights huge variability in services"
"Very clear and concise, and informative. Good treatment strategies discussed."
"Good interactive sessions with real life cases."
"Very helpful to have all these contacts and knowledge of peer support."
"Good to make clinicians aware of support programmes and referral for PT’s, good way to end the day, an element of hope and support."
"Excellent links provided which I will be using in practice."
Such a treat to be alongside some inspiring people & looking forward to the #Lewybody masterclass tomorrow in Belfast - Supporting a session about the lived experience @lbsorg @chris40781 @KevinQuaid3 @helenaquaid1 pic.twitter.com/j0RWTzZWJ6
— Rachel Thompson 💙 (@raheli01) November 4, 2021
Fantastic to be at the inaugural Lewy Body masterclass in Belfast. Huge thanks to everyone involved, esp @KevinQuaid3 & Helena, @chris40781 & Heather, all speakers & delegates & @TheNeuroAcademy #lewybodyMC https://t.co/6ge85D0xdd
— Jo Russell (@russ_jo) November 5, 2021
The photos below are taken by Rafal Kostrzewa photocatchthemoment.com
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