On 9 May 2025, I attended the Scottish Society of Gastroenterology (SSG) Summer Meeting 2025, held at the beautiful Dunblane Hydro. I was there to present an academic poster based on the findings of my final-year elective project: “Assessing the Effectiveness of Advanced Therapies on Microscopic Colitis.” This project, undertaken at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, involved a retrospective analysis of medical records from patients with microscopic colitis - a rare form of bowel inflammation. The aim was to determine whether various novel advanced treatments successfully induced clinical response and disease remission.
The conference was a wonderful and inspiring experience. It featured a wide range of academic presentations, oral abstracts, and keynote talks, alongside an array of engaging exhibitor stalls. I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share my research. This was both my first time presenting at and attending a medical conference.
After delivering a nerve-wracking presentation to the judges, I was able to relax and explore the impressive work of my peers. During the lunchtime session, attendees had the chance to view all the posters, which offered a valuable opportunity to engage in discussion. I found it especially insightful to speak with gastroenterologists and specialist nurses about my project and hear how my findings compared with their clinical experience. These conversations highlighted the importance of disseminating research and grounding it in real-world practice.
One of the standout moments for me was a keynote talk by Dr Suzanne Donnelly on managing in-patients with disorders of the gut-brain axis. Her emphasis on practising realistic medicine and establishing robust, team-wide management plans for complex patients was particularly impactful.
I am extremely grateful to the University of Aberdeen for supporting my attendance at this event. I would highly encourage other medical students to participate in conferences - I only wish I had done so sooner. It was an invaluable opportunity to gain exposure to the latest research in gastroenterology and to network with colleagues from across Scotland. The presenting skills and clinical insights I developed will undoubtedly benefit me in my future medical career.
