Conversations with Our Medical Students, Prakriti’s and Ahmed’s report on rare disease reaches UK’s Royal Society of Medicine

by George Sycallides, Communications office, UNIC Health
10 April 2025

MD5 students Prakriti Sachdev and Ahmed Eldesouky recently presented their report on a rare autoimmune condition, under the guidance of Professor Joseph, at the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) in London. Their work was accepted for presentation at the Troublesome Aspects of Rheumatology Disease in Systems (TARDIS 3) conference, an event primarily attended by specialists and registrars.

Prakriti and Ahmed, undertaking their clinical placements at Paphos General Hospital and the Hirslanden Clinic in Zurich respectively, collaborated on a report about ‘Relapsing Polychondritis’. This rare condition, affecting 3 in 1 million people, was encountered during a rheumatology placement with Professor Joseph. While both students contributed equally to the report, only Prakriti could attend the conference.

‘Presenting at such a prestigious venue was both challenging and rewarding’, says Prakriti. ‘The fact that we were medical students presenting alongside specialists made it particularly special. Several doctors at the conference noted the importance of raising awareness about this rare condition, highlighting the gaps in current research’.

The collaboration between the two students began through their shared involvement in the School’s Neurosurgical Society. Despite being based in different countries for their clinical rotations, they successfully managed their project through effective remote communication. ‘Working with Prakriti has been an excellent experience’, Ahmed notes. ‘Despite the challenges of different time zones and clinical schedules, we complemented each other’s working styles and produced meaningful research’.

‘Professor Joseph Joseph’s support was invaluable’, Prakriti explains. ‘He encouraged us to pursue this opportunity, emphasising that such chances might not come again’. ‘Even though we couldn’t compete in the formal competition due to being medical students, the feedback we received was positive, with one specialist suggesting we should publish our case’, Ahmed adds.

For both students, presenting at the Royal Society of Medicine marks an important step in their medical education. Their collaboration, whilst based at different clinical sites, demonstrates how medical students can work together across borders. This accomplishment highlights the valuable learning opportunities available during clinical placements.