RCPI Institute of Medicine hosts inaugural General Internal Medicine Update
The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland’s Institute of Medicine hosted its inaugural General Internal Medicine (GIM) Update 2026 on 19 - 20 March. The two-day conference brought together consultants and specialist registrars (SpRs) from across Ireland, both in person and online, to participate in a programme designed to support clinical practice on GIM on-call rotas.
Opening the meeting, RCPI President Dr Diarmuid O’Shea highlighted the importance of making time for structured professional development amid the demands of clinical practice:
“Events like this provide an opportunity for focused, structured learning, and for stepping away from the bedside to reflect on practice. That is increasingly important in a busy clinical environment and it is encouraging to see so many colleagues here today prioritising that time.”
The conference also marked a significant milestone for the Institute of Medicine, reflecting its continued focus on developing GIM education. Professor Edward McKone, Dean of the Institute of Medicine, said:
“General internal medicine is a key focus for the Institute of Medicine, and that is reflected in initiatives like this. There is a clear need to support a broad and evolving knowledge base in GIM. This meeting marks a number of important firsts: our inaugural GIM Update and our first collaboration with the American College of Physicians, which we hope is the first of many.”
Designed to support clinicians on busy on-call rotas, the programme delivered a practical and focused update on the most common and complex presentations in acute and inpatient care. Sessions combined core clinical principles with the latest guideline updates, pharmacotherapy developments and case-based discussions, with an emphasis on application in everyday practice.
Over the two days, expert speakers covered key subspecialties including cardiology, respiratory medicine, geriatrics, nephrology, infectious disease, endocrinology, neurology, rheumatology, and gastroenterology. Attendees particularly welcomed the practical approach, highlighting the relevance of the content to day-to-day clinical decision-making.
Dr Sam Kant, Consultant Nephrologist at St Vincent’s University Hospital and Chair of the programme, emphasised the importance of grounding the update in practical realities, saying:
“The programme was designed around the realities of GIM on-call work. The aim is to help clinicians navigate a rapidly evolving evidence base and apply it in a practical, meaningful way in everyday care.”
A highlight of the conference was the plenary address from Dr Jason Goldman, President of the American College of Physicians. Drawing on his experience within the US healthcare system, he explored key challenges shaping general internal medicine, including workforce pressures, system complexity and access to care, while also highlighting the role of technology and real-time clinical decision support in maintaining safe, patient-centred care. His emphasis on keeping “the patient as the North Star” resonated strongly with attendees, offering perspectives directly relevant to clinicians working in Ireland’s healthcare system.
The conference also included Q&A sessions and online discussion, reflecting active participation from both in-person and virtual audiences.
All attendees will receive access to presentation materials and session recordings for six months, allowing them to revisit key learning and apply updates in their clinical practice.
The event underlined the value of focused educational programmes in equipping clinicians to navigate the complex and evolving demands of general internal medicine.
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