ESCAIDE 2023 - A summary of Day 3

The last day of ESCAIDE began with the plenary session focusing on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the public health workforce, and the lessons learned. Lucy Easthope (Durham University, UK), Katarzyna Czabanowska (Maastricht University, the Netherlands) and Giorgio Grossi (Karolinska Insitutet, Sweden) discussed the struggles that the public health force is facing in post-pandemic times, including poor work conditions and burnout, and highlighted the important steps to tackle these issues, such as mental health support, as well as better and more compassionate leadership.

The importance of acknowledging that there is a crisis, showing vulnerability while also being strong, and recognising the clinical exhaustion were some of the key messages that emerged during the session. 

A new type of leadership, compassionate leadership is needed! Compassionate leaders are not weak, they captivate hearts and deliver results! - Katarzyna Czabanowska, Professor in Public Health Leadership and Workforce Development at Maastricht University, speaking in Plenary E

Some of the topics discussed in the fireside, poster and side sessions included modelling, health informatics, waterborne outbreaks, and global health. 

One of the side sessions discussed the current tools and challenges of epidemic intelligence. In it, participants from ECDC and Africa CDC explained their current epidemic intelligence methodologies, and dove into the specificities of EIOS. 

In another session speakers discussed how to better prepare for the next pandemic. Panellists highlighted the importance of collaboration and vaccination, but also considered the risks of exclusively focusing on pandemic preparedness. A new initiative by WHO called PRET: ‘Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats’ was also introduced.

Every ESCAIDE brings non-mainstream topics into the debate. The group that we have here is not only passionate but willing to work for the better health of people. The enthusiasm is infectious. - Andrea Ammon, ECDC Director

Additionally, today there was a special experience during lunch time. This session consisted of an escape room that lead the participants to experience the challenges refugees face in their journeys. The metaphorical goal of the game was to secure a ticket to Mars to escape the worsening conditions on Earth in 2084. To achieve their goal, they had to solve challenges, and were often derailed from their path through unexpected events. It was an intense 2-hour experience which managed to educate participants on the challenges that refugees face daily. 

Lastly, this year’s ESCAIDE concluded with the prize award ceremony and final messages from Andrea Ammon and Mike Catchpole. Since this will be their last ESCAIDE before they retire, they spoke about the history of ESCAIDE and discussed their hopes for ESCAIDE and potential challenges the conference may face in the future.