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General Practice Conference and Medical Exhibition – Rotorua, New Zealand

Doctors For Nutrition were proud to exhibit at the General Practice Conference and Medical Exhibition (GPCME) in Rotorua, New Zealand.

GPCME 2024 attracted a wide range of general practitioners, nurses, nurse practitioners, practice managers, students, pharmacists and health coaches with a total attendance of over 1,000 delegates. The medical exhibition is a major part of the conference and provided delegates with a wide update in one location.

Rebecca, Karyn and Catherine at GPCME

The conference programme provided a general practice update, with short, sharp and to the point clinical content, including key take home messages to help drive immediate behaviour change.

GPCME 2024 provided an opportunity for Doctors For Nutrition to engage with our target audience, promote our advocacy work, distribute resources, build relationships with ally organisations and educate the attendees on the benefits of a whole food, plant-based diet for disease prevention and care.

Many of the delegates we spoke to agreed that plant-based diets, high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, can prevent many of the chronic illnesses they see in their practices daily. With the current exponential growth in the use of weight loss medications, one GP from Auckland commented that, “There is no use in talking about weight loss medication if (patients) don’t change their diet.”

The overwhelming response to our message was exceptionally positive. A GP from Wellington commented that, “It’s very exciting to see nutrition being used in medicine.” Another GP from the Bay of Plenty found it sad that they were not taught about nutrition in medical school, “We are only taught about prescribing pills.” One other exhibitor declared that we were “the most exciting exhibit” at the conference.

It’s very exciting to see nutrition being used in medicine.

DFN’s Social Media and Events Lead, Rebecca Stonor, was joined by colleague Karyn Ogier (Marketing & Communications + Education Lead, New Plymouth), and volunteers Dr Luke Wilson (GP, Board Director & New Zealand Ambassadoc) and Dr Catherine Gray (GP and Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner, Shape My Health, Hastings).

The conference was held at the Energy Events Centre in Rotorua. Many doctors were interested in our new Lifestyle Medicine Certification through the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine. One lucky GP from New Plymouth was excited to be the recipient of the recently launched DFN membership. Several GPs also registered for our next Food Vitals webinar on the role of nutrition in managing menopause.

If you’d like to support us to attend more of these conferences and events, please consider a one-off or monthly donation. Help us share the invaluable benefits of whole food plant-based nutrition for disease prevention and reversal with medical professionals!

Luke, Rebecca and Karyn at GPCME
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