March 16, 2026

From Patient Advocacy to Medical Education: dsai’s Decade-Long CME Initiative for PID Awareness

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The German patient organisation for primary immunodeficiencies, dsai (Deutsche Patientenorganisation für Angeborene Immundefekte), has been organising certified continuing medical education (CME) events for physicians since 2008. In cooperation with German university hospitals and under the scientific leadership of leading immunology experts, these events aim to raise awareness of primary immunodeficiencies (PID) and improve diagnosis and treatment among physicians from different specialities. In Germany, doctors are required to regularly collect CME credits as part of their professional development.

Each year, dsai organises around ten certified medical education events, reaching approximately 1,000 physicians. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the program was successfully transferred to a digital format and is now offered both online and in person. Through these initiatives, dsai contributes to improving awareness of primary immunodeficiencies among healthcare professionals.

A recent event took place in Leipzig in cooperation with the ImmunDefectCentrum Leipzig (IDCL) at Klinikum St. Georg. The program covered topics such as immune system basics, antibody deficiency and pregnancy, neurological manifestations of immunodeficiency, and psychosocial aspects and quality of life. While most training events are exclusively for medical professionals due to compliance regulations, this event also included a patient meeting. It provided a valuable opportunity for exchange and dialogue between patients and medical experts, which participants actively made use of.

By connecting patient advocacy with medical education, dsai demonstrates how patient organisations can play an active role in improving awareness, earlier diagnosis, and better care for people living with primary immunodeficiencies.