MIDCIPSNZ 2024 was held on 7th April 2024 at Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar International Convention Center, Delhi, India and Organized by Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, Delhi in collaboration with DPS Delhi Psychiatry Society under the aegis of Indian Psychiatric Society-North Zone. Theme was “Innovations in Mental Health.” Dr. Pankaj Verma was Organizing Chairperson and Dr. Manushree Gupta was Organizing Secretary. Total 210 delegates were registered to witness the academic feast.

Oral Paper Presentations: Kicking off at 8:00 AM in conference room 2, chaired by Professor Hitesh Khurana, Dr Neeru Bala and Dr. Prerna Kukreti, 22 oral papers were presented by PGs, facilitated by Dr. Rahul Saha and Dr. Ashini Patel.

Inauguration: Chief Guest DGHS Prof. Atul Goel and Guests of Honor, Dr BN Gangadhar, NMC Chairman, Dr. Lakshmikant Rathi, President IPS and Dr. Vandana Talwar, MS VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital and other dignitaries inaugurated the event at 10 AM, followed by Saraswati Vandana. Notable personalities on the dais included Dr. Sujit Sarkhel, Dr. Mamta Sood, Dr. Gurvinder Pal Singh, Dr Naresh Nebhinani, Dr. Gulbahar Sidhu, Dr. Pratap Sharan and Dr. Pankaj Kumar.

Welcome Addresses: Dr. Pankaj Verma, the Organizing Chairman, extended a warm welcome, emphasizing the significance of psychiatric innovations. Prof. Pratap Sharan introduced the CME theme to the audience.

Music CD Release: Prof. Atul Goel and Prof. B. Gangadhar unveiled a music CD, followed by a rendition by Dr. Gurvinder Pal Singh and the National Anthem.

Scientific Sessions at MIDCIPS NZ 2024:
Five sessions delved into specific aspects of psychiatric innovation:
Five sessions were conducted during the MIDCIPS NZ 2024 conference, each focusing on a specific aspect of psychiatric innovation. These sessions provided attendees with valuable insights, updates, and hands-on experiences in various areas of psychiatry. The sessions were as follows:

Session 1: “Disruptive Innovations in Psychiatry” by Dr. Koushik Sinha Deb (from AIIMS Delhi): He explored disruptive innovations in psychiatry, highlighting groundbreaking developments that are reshaping the field. Attendees gained insights into emerging technologies, treatment modalities, and paradigm shifts in psychiatric care.

Session 2: “The Art of Pediatric Psychopharmacology – an Update” by Dr. Raghu Gandhi (from Minnesota): He provided an update on the art of pediatric psychopharmacology, discussing recent advancements, best practices, and considerations in prescribing medications for children and adolescents with mental health disorders.

Session 3: “Ketamine in Psychiatry: Current Status” by Dr. Chittaranjan Andrade (from NIMHANS): He presented the current status of ketamine in psychiatry, discussing its therapeutic applications, mechanisms of action, and clinical considerations. Attendees learned about the evolving role of ketamine in the treatment of mood disorders and other psychiatric conditions.

Session 4: “Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS): Setting up a Facility and Laboratory” by Dr. Nishant Goyal (from CIP Ranchi): He provided practical guidance on setting up a facility and laboratory for repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Attendees gained insights into equipment selection, safety protocols, treatment protocols, and operational considerations for implementing rTMS in clinical practice.

Session 5: “Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: Hands-On Workshop” by Dr. Rohit Verma (from AIIMS Delhi): He conducted a hands-on workshop on transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive brain stimulation technique. Participants had the opportunity to learn about tDCS principles, electrode placement, stimulation parameters, and safety considerations through practical demonstrations.

These sessions provided attendees with a diverse range of topics, from cutting-edge treatments to practical workshops, contributing to the exchange of knowledge and expertise in psychiatry at MIDCIPS NZ 2024.

Poster Presentations: 48 Posters were displayed by the PGs during the poster session
PG Quiz: Led by quiz master Dr. Swarndeep Singh and assisted by Dr. Siddharth Sethi, the PG quiz saw 15 teams, with four advancing to the final rounds after six tie rounds of intense competition. The team from SMS Medical College, Jaipur, clinched victory in the finals.

Two Best Paper and Three Best Posters were awarded by the Organizing Committee MIDCIPSNZ 2024. Best Paper award was won by Dr Panna Sharma, AIIMS Delhi and Dr Vidhya E MAMC, Delhi. Best Posters award was won by Dr Rajat Sharma, VMMC, Dr Bhagwat Rajput Delhi.
Vote of Thanks was read by Dr. Manushree Gupta, Organizing Secretary.

MIDCIPS NZ 2024 facilitated the exchange of research, innovations, and experiences in psychiatry. With effective leadership from the IPSNZ EC and meticulous organization by the committee, the conference advanced collaboration, learning, and networking, thereby propelling psychiatry in India forward.