About this event

  • Date and time Wed 10 Feb 2027 from 5:30pm to 7:45pm
  • Location Royal Society of Medicine
  • Organised by History of Medicine Society

Join the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) History of Medicine Section for this hybrid evening event exploring two interconnected chapters in medical and social history: the evolution of surgery in Serbia and the historical development of drug addiction and addiction treatment.

Understanding these histories offers valuable insight into how medicine evolves in response to scientific discovery, war, social change and public health crises. The history of surgery in the Balkans reflects resilience, innovation and adaptation through periods of political transformation and conflict, while the history of drug addiction highlights shifting societal attitudes, public health strategies and medical responses that remain highly relevant to healthcare today. Together, these perspectives offer important lessons for contemporary medicine, healthcare policy and medical education.

This evening examines how historical analysis and modern clinical thinking can be brought into dialogue - connecting past milestones with present-day challenges in surgery, addiction medicine, public health and medical ethics.

Why attend?

  • Hear from leading experts in medical history, surgery and addiction medicine
  • Explore the evolution of surgery in Serbia and the Balkans - a regional perspective rarely represented at international medical meetings
  • Gain historical insight into the development of drug addiction, addiction treatment and changing societal attitudes towards substance use disorders
  • Examine the ethical, social and public health dimensions of addiction medicine through a historical lens
  • Continue the discussion over an optional dinner following the event, available to pre-registered delegates

Aims of the event

  • To explore the historical development of surgery in Serbia and its contribution to modern surgical practice
  • To examine the evolution of drug addiction and addiction treatment and their influence on contemporary public health and clinical practice
  • To foster interdisciplinary dialogue between healthcare professionals, historians, researchers and educators on the relationship between medicine, society and history

Learning outcomes

By the end of this event, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the major historical milestones in the development of surgery in Serbia and their contribution to modern surgical practice
  • Explain the historical evolution of drug addiction, addiction treatment and societal attitudes towards substance use disorders
  • Evaluate the interdisciplinary relationship between medicine, society and history in shaping healthcare education and clinical practice

Who should attend?

This event is relevant to:

  • Clinicians and healthcare professionals with an interest in medical history, including surgeons, psychiatrists, addiction medicine specialists and public health professionals
  • Historians, academics, researchers and students working across medicine, history and related disciplines
  • Members of the public with an interest in medical history and the social history of medicine
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Show Virtual / In Person rates

Tickets (In Person)

Standard pricing available until 02 February 2027.

 

Member

RSM Member
Day 1
£0.00 Meeting
£58.00 Dinner
(optional)
RSM Student
Day 1
£0.00 Meeting
£58.00 Dinner
(optional)

Non - Member

Non - Member
Day 1
£44.00 Meeting
£58.00 Dinner
(optional)
Student
Day 1
£8.00 Meeting
£58.00 Dinner
(optional)

Tickets (Virtual)

Standard pricing available until 10 February 2027.

 

Member

RSM Member
Day 1
£0.00 Meeting
£58.00 Dinner
(optional)
RSM Student
Day 1
£0.00 Meeting
£58.00 Dinner
(optional)

Non - Member

Non - Member
Day 1
£25.00 Meeting
£58.00 Dinner
(optional)
Student
Day 1
£6.00 Meeting
£58.00 Dinner
(optional)

Location

Royal Society of Medicine, 1 Wimpole St, Marylebone, London, W1G 0AE, United Kingdom

Registration for this event will close at 1:00am on 2 February 2027 for in-person registrants and 10 February 2027 for virtual registrants. Late registrations will not be accepted. 

The agenda is subject to change. 

Where the event is recorded, only presentations for which permission has been granted will be made available after the event. The availability of recordings is at the discretion of the speakers and the Royal Society of Medicine. Recordings may be distributed in the future via RSM digital channels. 

All views expressed at this event are those of the individual speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Royal Society of Medicine or the speakers’ organisations.