Délio Marques Conde¹, Jin Ye Yeo²

¹Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil; ²TBCR Editorial Office, AME Publishing Company

Correspondence to: Jin Ye Yeo. TBCR Editorial Office, AME Publishing Company. Email: tbcr@amegroups.com

Expert introduction

Prof. Délio Marques Conde (Figure 1) obtained his medical degree from the Federal University of Goiás, Brazil. He completed his residency in Gynecology and Obstetrics at the University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil, where he went on to specialize in Breast Surgery and obtained his PhD.

He is professor in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Federal University of Goiás where he lectures to medical students and residents and oversees practical activities. Prof. Conde has been preceptor of the Gynecology and Obstetrics residency program for over twenty years. In addition, he is a professor of the Postgraduate Health Sciences Program at the Federal University of Goiás and has supervised various master and PhD students.

Prof. Conde has published several articles on breast cancer, his main area of research. He is part of the editorial board of the Brazilian Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics (RBGO), which is the official journal of the Brazilian Federation of Associations of Gynecology and Obstetrics, and he is also a member of the editorial board of Mastology, the official journal of the Brazilian Society of Breast Surgeons. In addition, he is a reviewer for many peer-reviewed journals.

Figure 1 Prof. Délio Marques Conde

Interview

TBCR: What initially inspired you to pursue a career in gynecology and obstetrics?

Prof. Conde: During medical school, we observed our professors a lot, even if not consciously. The example set by our professors is an eternal source of inspiration for us to invest in and pursue a particular specialty. I would also like to add that the particularities of gynecology and obstetrics, and their broad area of expertise, have always encouraged me.

In addition, I always had in mind that I would dedicate myself to treating breast diseases, especially breast cancer. To specialize in breast surgery in Brazil, you must first have completed a residency in general surgery or gynecology and obstetrics. That was what I did, I pursued my goal. I feel very happy with my choice, and it is rewarding.

TBCR: Could you provide a brief overview of the current publications on pelvic pain experienced by women? Are there any articles on the causes or management of pelvic pain that stood out to you?

Prof. Conde: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in women is a complex, current, and challenging topic. It is challenging considering that the pelvis contains myofascial structures, the genitourinary and digestive systems in close relationship and it is sometimes very difficult to identify an anatomical cause of CPP.

In general, the publications address various aspects of CPP in women. In this sense, it is worth highlighting that the authors have investigated mental health, sexual function, quality of life, causes and pathophysiology of CPP, and multidisciplinary treatment of these women, among other aspects. There are good studies on CPP in women. I cite a review published by our group that provides a broader view of the topic (1).

TBCR: What are the current challenges in the management of chronic pelvic pain in women? Moving forward, what are some areas of research that you think should be explored to overcome these challenges?

Prof. Conde: I believe that understanding the pathophysiology of CPP in women and integrating the different areas or professionals who care for these women is challenging. Research and clinical practice show that pharmacological treatment is insufficient to cure pain in these patients. Furthermore, we know that surgery is indicated only in very specific circumstances. Therefore, it is crucial that gynecologists, urologists, nurses, physiotherapists, and psychologists share knowledge, contributing to the relief of CPP. In this scenario, the psychosocial approach is of fundamental relevance.

Future research should focus its efforts on understanding the pathophysiology of CPP in order to offer physiopathology-based targeted therapies. Furthermore, the integration of the different areas of knowledge will probably provide pain relief and a better quality of life for these women.

TBCR: As an educator, how do you ensure that your students and researchers are prepared for the challenges of a career in academic and clinical research in gynecology and obstetrics?

Prof. Conde:The answer to this question possibly sums up the reason why we have dedicated ourselves to medical education for almost 25 years. Medical education is complex, it requires persistence and a lot of dedication. At our university, we have a large theoretical and practical workload. Doctors must complete the course safely in order to practice their profession.

In addition to this aspect, in a country of continental dimensions like Brazil, where we sometimes have different needs in different regions, the great challenge is to encourage research. It is not possible to be a good doctor without research. We need to teach this from the first years of medical school so that students understand the relevance of science in their lives and in the lives of humanity. You only learn by doing. There is no other way. Hence the need to encourage research whenever possible, including it in curricular activities.

In Brazil, academic careers and clinical research are closely linked to postgraduate studies. The authors who publish the most are those who supervise master's and doctoral students. The specialty of gynecology and obstetrics offers a favorable field for a robust academic career and solid clinical research.

TBCR: What aspects of your work in gynecology and obstetrics research do you find most fulfilling and motivating?

Prof. Conde: All the research I have participated in to date has been rewarding and motivating. The intention is always to seek practical application of the knowledge acquired. I confess that of all the studies and articles I have participated in, I highlight those on women with breast cancer. These studies are the ones that most motivate me to move forward. There is much to be discovered and done for these women. That is why I have dedicated myself over the last seven years to studying hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes.

TBCR: How has your experience been as an Editorial Board Member of TBCR? As an Editorial Board Member, what are your expectations for TBCR?

Prof. Conde: From the first moment I received the invitation to serve as an Editorial Board Member of TBCR I felt honored. It is an honor to collaborate on an Editorial Board that includes renowned authors. It has been a rewarding experience, allowing me to interact with authors from different regions of the world who investigate various aspects of breast cancer.

TBCR is a journal with rich and current content, impacting the clinical practice of breast surgeons, oncologists, radiation therapists, pathologists, and oncology nurses, among other professionals.

I hope to contribute to maintaining the quality of peer review of manuscripts submitted to TBCR in this expansion process. At the same time, I congratulate everyone for indexing TBCR in the Web of Science [Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI)] and PubMed/PubMed Central (PMC).

Reference

1. Siqueira-Campos VM, de Deus MSC, Poli-Neto OB, Rosa-E-Silva JC, de Deus JM, Conde DM. Current Challenges in the Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women: From Bench to Bedside. Int J Womens Health 2022;14:225-244.