Cafe MED

Professor Siladitya Bhattacharya (Chair in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Aberdeen and NHS Grampian) and Dr David McLernon (Senior Research Fellow in Medical Statistics, University of Aberdeen)

For many couples, a diagnosis of infertility can be a huge emotional burden, making a seemingly foreseeable future appear bleak and unpredictable. Here we discuss the use of accurate personalised fertility prediction models to assess the chances of pregnancy and make decisions on fertility treatment.

Professor Phyo Myint (Chair in Old Age Medicine, University of Aberdeen and NHS Grampian) and Dr Roy Soiza (Consultant Geriatrician, NHS Grampian) 

Anticholinergics are commonly used for many common conditions, but they are also known for their notorious short and long-term potential harms. Both speakers have extensive experience in dealing with patients who are on these medicines and working with international experts in this area of research.

Professor Simon Parson (Regius Chair of Anatomy, University of Aberdeen), Dr Liz Elliot (Clinical Research Fellow, University of Edinburgh) and Ms Susan Stewart (MND Clinical Specialist, NHS Grampian) 

The pan-Scotland Euan MacDonald Centre carries out research on how motor neurones work, looking at new drug treatments and improving quality of life for people with motor neurone diseases (MND). The Centre’s researchers and clinicians discuss progress and future developments in MND.

Dr Kathryn Martin (Lecturer in Epidemiology, University of Aberdeen), Dr Rosemary Hollick (Senior Clinical Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Rheumatology, NHS Grampian) and Caron Jenkins & Angela Donaldson-Bruce (Versus Arthritis)

Nearly 1 in 3 people in Scotland live with a condition like osteoarthritis or chronic back pain, which often significantly impacts on quality of life. Here we discuss the latest scientific evidence around best treatments and symptom management. 

Dr Derek Ball (Head of Sports Science, University of Aberdeen), Dr Arthur Strachan (Chief Biomedical Scientist) and Dr Jenny Gregory (Lecturer in Osteoarthritis, University of Aberdeen) 

Exercise is a key element for promoting a healthy lifestyle and its benefits are well documented, ranging from weight management to better control of blood sugar. But is all exercise beneficial? Find out what type and how much exercise we should undertake to maintain health.

Professor Iain McEwan (Chair in Cell and Molecular Endocrinology, University of Aberdeen) and Professor Phyo Myint (Chair in Old Age Medicine and Consultant Geriatrician, NHS Grampian)

The hormone testosterone is a master regulator of several vital processes such as metabolism, reproduction and cancers. Here we discuss how too little or too much of this ‘Goldilocks hormone’ has an adverse effect on health and who is its ‘gatekeeper’.

Professor Valerie Speirs (Chair in Molecular Oncology, University of Aberdeen) and Mr Yazan Masannat (Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon, NHS Grampian)

An unintended consequence of national breast screening programmes is the increase in the detection of pre-invasive breast cancers, called DCIS. Hear how this presents challenges for doctors and how scientists are tacking this in the laboratory.

Dr Louise Johnston (Consultant Psychiatrist, the Eden Unit, NHS Grampian) and Dr Tharaka Gunarathne (Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, NHS Grampian)

Dealing with social media can be challenging, but for young people especially the effects on mental health can be profound. Here we discuss positive and negative effects and will focus on eating disorders, as patients with these disorders can be particularly vulnerable to the impact of social media.

Professor Craig Ramsay, Director (Health Services Research Unit) and Professor Mandy Ryan, Director (Health Economics Research Unit), University of Aberdeen

In 2018 we celebrated seventy years of our NHS and the award of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for our health services research. Find out how our research has changed healthcare over the last 40 years and the challenges we face in the next 40.

Rosannah Jackson (Third year medical student), Claire Repper (Third year medical student), Prof Rona Patey (Director of the Institute of Education for Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Aberdeen) and Dr Stephen Lynch (President of Aberdeen Medico-Chirurgical Society) 

In 1900 the first female doctor graduated from the University of Aberdeen. In 2017 fifty-eight percent of UK graduates in medicine were female. Here we discuss the careers of the first five female graduates in medicine from the University of Aberdeen and the changing medical student population, looking at some of the challenges these pioneers faced and how these relate to problems we still face today.