Four hundred students from medicine, pharmacy, nursing and allied health backgrounds will gather in Malta for the first ever World Medicine and Pharmacy Students Joint Symposium (WorldMaPS) next month.

The WorldMaPS conference aims to take a step towards realising the vision of effective co-operation among healthcare professionals worldwide to improve health outcomes of patients.

WorldMaPS is a joint initiative of the International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation, European Pharmaceutical Students' Association, International Federation of Medical Students Associations, and the European Medical Students Association. It will be hosted by the Maltese Pharmacy and Medical Students Associations.

The landmark event has gained the support of the International Association of Patient Organisations, World Health Organisation, World Health Professions Alliance - FIP, ICN, WMA, and Medicines Partnership UK.

The innovative programme will provide a forum for dialogue and action, to develop understanding of multidisciplinary teams, skills, and partnerships. It is aimed to send a strong message to the participants representing all regions of the world that partnerships and close interaction between the health professions is essential at all levels to foster better understanding, relations and teamwork.

The programme focuses on multidisciplinary partnerships, patient outcomes and patient-centred care, professional skills, education and public health.

Interactive sessions led by students and experts seek to bring down the barriers between the professions, raise awareness of patient care concepts, and equip each participant with the necessary tools and knowledge to advocate greater collaboration between health professionals at a local, national, and international level.

The organising committee would like to thank the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and the Department of Pharmacy, for their help and support.

For further details contact Francesca Buttigieg at vicepresident@worldmaps2005.org or on tel: 7970-6052.