A bone densitometry workshop and certification course was held at P.D. Hinduja National Hospital on 6-7th October 2009. This workshop was sponsored by IOF and ISBMR and was conducted for the first time in India.

We had 38 delegates registered for the workshop (of which 35 took the written test at the end of the workshop). These delegates were 17 endocrinologists (including students) 7 rheumatologists, 5 physicians (internal medicine), 4 radiologists, 3 orthopedic surgeons  and 2 other doctors including a dietician with interest in Bone densitometry.

The international faculty comprised of Prof Marius Kraenzlin, Professor of Endocrinology
at University of Basel, Switzerland and Prof Claus Glueer, Chief of Medical Physics Research Group Clinic for Diagnostic Radiology, Campus Kiel, Germany. Dr Manoj Chadha, Consultant Endocrinologist at P.D. Hinduja National Hospital was the Indian faculty and moderator for the course. The topics that were covered during the workshop on Day 1 were Osteoporosis: The Scope of the Problem, Pathophysiology of Osteoporosis, Clinical Evaluation, Overview of Bone Densitometry Methods, Radiation Safety and Quality Control, Diagnostic Use of Densitometry I: Basics & Interpretation and pitfalls, Risk Assessment & Vertebral Fracture Assessment and Monitoring Skeletal Changes, Clinical Management: Prevention, Clinical Management: Treatment – Part I &  Part II on Day 2. This was followed by a comprehensive multiple choice exam. The successful candidates will be awarded certificates by IOF.

The content of the course and the presentation by the faculty  was very much appreciated by all the delegates. The course was very informative and a learning experience for all, from the seniors to the resident doctors. Very rarely do we have a course where all the participants sit through the day and actively participate in the discussions. Prof Marius Kraenzlin and Prof Claus Glueer were very impressed with the questions that were put to them and they took great pains in answering the queries.