Preliminary approach

• Background
  • Reliable contact between one IPNA training committee member and one local organizer on behalf of IPNA council and local organizing committee, respectively
  • Contact with the regional pediatric nephrology society if any
  • Choice of the language, need for translation
  • Keep flexibility in the design and organization of the course
• Investigation of local needs
  • Average education in medicine, in general pediatrics, and in pediatric nephrology
  • Epidemiology of renal diseases
  • Data on morbidity and mortality related to renal disease
  • Requests from the local organizing committee
• Investigation of local facilities
  • Available drugs
  • Available techniques and devices: biochemistry, bacteriology, virology, imaging and isotope techniques, kidney biopsy, pathology, peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis, transplantation, prenatal diagnosis, molecular biology, etc.
• Personal arrangements for speakers
  • Need for local temporary license in case of advanced medical practice (in case of personal contribution to kidney biopsy, dialysis, transplantation, etc)
  • Information about adequate immunization
  • Subscription to adequate travel insurance

Practical organization

• Invited speakers should be IPNA members
• Speakers should be on-site at least one or two days before the meeting in order to be aware of major practical problems, current hospital condition, nurse staff workload, local diet habits, local health insurance system, public health policy, immunization policy, ethical and legal background, religious and cultural background, political and economical situation, etc.
• The overall design of the course should be based on:
  • One- to four-day teaching course
  • Around 60% academics including:
    • Pathophysiology introduction
    • Practical information based on both theoretical and local facilities
    • Examples based on case reports, pictures and other imaging
    • Each lecture would include either 30 min presentation + 15 min discussion or 20 min presentation + 20 min discussion
    • Documentation
      • A consensus document should be given to all participants, either paper or electronic or both according to local accesses
      • Slides would be downloaded on the IPNA website
    • Around 40% case reports from local colleagues including:
      • 10 to 15 min presentation + 15 to 20 min discussion
      • Interactive participation of the local speaker with IPNA delegates and the panel
• Provide fruitful conclusions:
  • IPNA certificate of attendance
  • IPNA should help in writing further local guidelines according to local needs
  • IPNA should encourage and help local clinical research and networks
  • IPNA should help in organising further local academic teaching in pediatric nephrology

Suggested academic teaching

1. Basics of pediatric nephrology (anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, genetics, etc)
2. Management of the neonate with renal problems
3. Management of the child with proteinuria
4. Management of the child with hematuria
5. Management of urinary tract infection
6. Management of the nephrotic syndrome
7. Management of post-infectious renal diseases
8. Management of acute renal failure
9. Management of arterial hypertension
10. Management of chronic and end-stage renal failure, including dialysis & transplantation
11. Practical use of corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs
12. Preventive measures adapted to local facilities

Teaching assessment and ongoing business

• Questionnaire to participants : quality and adequacy of lectures
• Keep long-lasting contacts by providing reliable e-mail addresses, educational websites, free subscription to Pediatric Nephrology, textbooks, electronic material, etc.
• Investigation for future orientation: further courses, project for IPNA fellowship, etc.