Editorial

‘Approach the New Year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each new day.’
Michael Josephson

The editorial board of ESRA Updates welcomes you to the first edition of 2023. January is the month for fresh starts, resolutions and goal setting – the world of regional anaesthesia is no exception   – the ESRA community has much to look forward to in 2023!

This edition of ESRA Updates features a range of articles from colleagues providing different insights into regional anaesthesia. Peter Merjavy, Paul Kessler and Andrzej Krol describe the ESRA cadaveric workshops. These highly organised and intensive teaching experiences are a must for committed regional anaesthetists and pain physicians, providing valuable anatomical education, and promoting excellence in regional anaesthesia and pain therapy. Places are still available for courses in March, June and November.

Though environments may vary, the goal of striving for quality improvement in regional anaesthesia unites us all. The COVID-19 pandemic transformed the pattern of our lives, personally and professionally. Lockdowns and isolation reminded us of what we had come to take for granted –  the value of learning from each other and collaborating whenever possible. In this edition of ESRA Updates, you can read about education in regional anaesthesia and pain medicine from colleagues in Greece and Slovenia. Check out these thought-provoking and informative articles!

One of the most exciting events this year is the 6th World Congress on Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine, to be held in Paris on 6-9th September and hosted by ESRA. Following the enormous success of the ESRA Congress in Thessaloniki last year, the World Congress promises to be another outstanding event! It will be a Joint Meeting with fellow regional anaesthesia and pain medicine societies, including the American Society of Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine, the Latin American Society of Regional Anaesthesia, the Asian & Oceanic Society of Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine and the African Society of Regional Anaesthesia. The venue is the iconic Palais des congress de Paris – ViPARiS, just a few steps away from the most beautiful avenue in the world. The innovative programme provides comprehensive and unrivalled education in perioperative medicine, regional anaesthesia and pain therapy, including State of the Art Lectures, Networking Sessions, Expert Opinion and Panel Discussions, the ever-popular PRO-CON Debates. This World Congress will be an excellent opportunity for Residents, Trainees and Fellows to showcase their regional anaesthesia work in the Free Papers and ePosters Sessions.

If you need to top-up your regional anaesthesia and pain medicine continuing professional development before the World Congress, there are plenty of options with European Day on January 28^th, the 5^th e-ESRA on 18^th March and the 5^th ESRA Residents and Trainees Workshop on 21^st-22^nd April. Check out all ESRA events here https://esraeurope.org/meetings/?meeting_type=esra-events.

The community of regional anaesthesia and pain therapy grows year upon year and there is no better way to join this community than by becoming an member of ESRA. You can read more about the benefits of ESRA membership in this edition of ESRA Updates.

We wish all our members and regional anaesthesia and pain medicine colleagues the very best for 2023!

The ESRA Updates Team