Following up on the previous post ( read here), I’d like to delve deeper into a training format that, due to its intimate and practical nature, often feels like the «Cinderella» of vascular surgery education: workshops.

If you ask ChatGPT what a workshop is, it will tell you:
“A workshop is a practical training session where participants learn and develop specific skills through interactive activities. It differs from traditional conferences because it’s more dynamic and encourages active participation rather than just listening to lectures. Workshops can be held in various fields, such as medicine, technology, art, business, etc., and often include demonstrations, hands-on exercises, and group discussions.”

And I couldn’t agree more. In our case, workshops are specialized sessions where we share our expertise and skills on specific treatments for pathologies in which we are experts. This expertise isn’t just recognized by us but also by other professionals and even industry partners, who often invite us to lead these specialized sessions.

What Makes Our Workshops Unique?

Our workshops are designed for small groups (4 to 6 participants), allowing for direct and personalized interaction with each attendee. This dynamic fosters deeper and more practical learning, where participants can ask questions, share experiences, and refine their techniques.

We are highly specialized in the treatment of:

• Deep venous pathology
• Pelvic congestion syndrome of venous origin (pelvic varicose veins)
• Compressive syndromes (May-Thurner and Nutcracker)
• Venous thromboembolic disease (acute and chronic)

These are the areas we focus on in our workshops, sharing not only theoretical knowledge but also techniques, tips, and practical advice we’ve developed over the years.

Structure of Our Workshops

The workshops we host at Viamed Santa Elena Hospital are divided into two main blocks:

1. Live cases: Observation and analysis of real cases.
2. Interactive talks: Open discussions with attendees, where we address questions and share experiences.

Additionally, we always make ourselves available to participants for post-workshop support. If they need advice or assistance with their initial cases, we’re more than happy to lend a hand.

A Commitment of Over 15 Years

I’ve been organizing and leading workshops since 2011, and even after nearly 15 years, I still get nervous as the dates approach. I wonder: “Will I have the best cases to teach? Are the slides up to date? Could we improve anything?”

However, what makes me most proud is that, to date, we haven’t received a single negative review from any of our attendees. This is because we pour our heart into every workshop, ensuring that participants not only have a rewarding experience but also learn from our mistakes and improve their techniques.

Our Workshops in 2023

This year, we’re especially proud to offer workshops focused on:

• Treatment of pelvic congestion syndrome
• Compressive syndromes and chronic iliac venous occlusion
• Radiofrequency treatment of varicose veins

If you’re interested in participating or would like more information, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be delighted to welcome you to our next workshop!