INM-Masterclass

AIM

The main goal of the MasterClass - that will focus on chronic kidney disease (CKD) awareness, early diagnosis, complications, and new therapeutic approaches - is to train young talented renal fellows on CKD, a silent and very frequent non-communicable disease (NCD) that, as reported by the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study, will become the fifth cause of death worldwide by 2040.

The MasterClass will thus endeavour to increase the appeal of a career in nephrology by creating a community of motivated nephrologists, with expertise on CKD and willing to disseminate the importance of being a nephrologist among other trainees.
To this end, the project will deploy modern and cutting-edge digital communication technologies (TV studio, news, and talk-show format) as well as an online Netflix-like platform that will be the “home of the project”; it will also include three live streaming events in 2022 and a final in-person event on 17th and 18th, March, 2023 at Cascina Triulza, MIND, Milan, Italy.

CLINICAL CONTEXT

CKD is also often associated with ageing, as most deaths attributed to CKD occur in people aged between 30 and 69. Moreover, the Covid-19 pandemic has eloquently revealed how CKD, especially when combined with other comorbidities, not only defines an inherent degree of disability, but also exposes the affected individuals to highly reduced autonomy and survival, regardless of their functional status, and increases the pressure on the social welfare system.

Prevention and implementation of strategies for CKD early diagnosis, therapy and follow-up represent a key challenge that healthcare will have to face to achieve one of the objectives of the World Health Organization: reducing early mortality due to NCDs by 2025.
Cost-effective and quality management of CKD at population level is a healthcare priority that can be better achieved through the development and integration of new diagnostic, therapeutic and personalised strategies, backed up by digital solutions focused on health and care.

Although CKD is one of the most frequent NCDs, we are facing a reduction in the nephrology workforce over the next decade, with potentially serious implications.