National Workshop-CME on Autonomic Function Tests Improved Knowledge, Skills and Aptitude for Investigation, Research and Training in Autonomic Functions and Dysfunctions among Physiology Faculty of India

Anne Varghese; Shival Srivastav; Minu Liz Abraham; Rebecca Tony; Elizabeth Samuel; Sheela Abraham; Ceema Varghese; Thoushara Manmmadhan

doi:10.5530/ijcep.2025.12.2.11

Anne Varghese Department of Physiology, MOSC Medical college, Kolenchery, Ernakulam district, Kerala, India. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3376-1529
Shival Srivastav Department of Physiology, AIIMS Jodhpur, Rajasthan, INDIA.
Minu Liz Abraham Department of Physiology, MOSC Medical college, Kolenchery, Ernakulam district, Kerala, India.
Rebecca Tony Department of Physiology, MOSC Medical college, Kolenchery, Ernakulam district, Kerala, India.
Elizabeth Samuel Department of Physiology, MOSC Medical college, Kolenchery, Ernakulam district, Kerala, India.
Sheela Abraham Department of Physiology, MOSC Medical college, Kolenchery, Ernakulam district, Kerala, India.
Ceema Varghese Department of Physiology, MOSC Medical college, Kolenchery, Ernakulam district, Kerala, India.
Thoushara Manmmadhan Department of Physiology, MOSC Medical college, Kolenchery, Ernakulam district, Kerala, India.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5530/ijcep.2025.12.2.11

Keywords: Autonomic Nervous System, Autonomic Function Tests, Heart Rate Variability, Physiologists, Continuing Medical Education, Workshop

Abstract

Background and Aim: A one-day National Continuing Medical Education (CME) program and workshop, titled ‘Prima Autonomica,’ focused on Autonomic Function Tests (AFTs), was held on March 8, 2025. Organized by the Department of Physiology at MOSC Medical College, Kolenchery, Kerala, India, the initiative aimed to update participants' knowledge and facilitate their acquisition of techniques for administering and interpreting AFTs, guided by leading physiologists with specialized expertise in AFT clinics. Methods: The program comprised six insightful talks delivered in the forenoon by five distinguished speakers, exploring topics ranging from foundational concepts of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) to advanced techniques for assessing autonomic functions. Key areas included the significance and clinical relevance of AFTs, underlying physiological control mechanisms, blood pressure variability, baroreceptor sensitivity, and heart rate variability (HRV). The afternoon session was dedicated to hands-on demonstrations and the interpretation of various AFTs, alongside HRV acquisition and analysis. Results: A total of 310 participants (144 onsite and 166 online) from approximately 60 medical colleges across India attended. The majority were postgraduate students and physiologists. Feedback analysis showed that 60.3% rated the CME and workshop as excellent, while 36.8% rated them very good. Conclusion: All sessions of the immersive one-day program were positively received, and video recordings were distributed to all participants via email. The event received excellent feedback. It effectively raised awareness among undergraduate and postgraduate students, disseminated best practices among faculty, enhanced educational networking between participants and speakers, and helped delineate future strategies for continued skill development.