The University Medical City Emergency Medicine Conference 2026 opened on Sunday at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Muscat, focusing on the community's role in emergency care and the increasing use of artificial intelligence in clinical decision-making. The two-day event, organised by the hospital’s Emergency Medicine Department, is themed “Reconnecting Emergency Care: Where Community Meets Critical Interventions” and aims to address key aspects of early recognition and response to medical emergencies.

The conference program features 56 lectures and presentations, three debates, and involves 63 speakers. It has attracted approximately 200 emergency physicians, nurses, paramedics, medical students, and allied health professionals, along with 160 participants engaged in parallel training sessions. Speakers hail from both Oman and international institutions.

Dr. Aisha bint Hamad al Khamisi, Head of the Emergency Medicine Department and Chairperson of the Organising Committee, emphasised that the event seeks to improve the quality of emergency care by facilitating the exchange of expertise, reviewing scientific evidence, and highlighting recent advancements in emergency medicine. She noted that emergency care is not solely about rapid intervention but also depends heavily on accurate clinical decisions, coordinated teamwork within healthcare, and effective communication.

Dr. al Khamisi further underscored the significance of involving the community as an active partner in emergency care through increased awareness, early recognition of symptoms such as blood clots, strokes, poisonings, and timely activation of ambulance services. The conference also provides a platform for discussing the evolving landscape of emergency medicine, including developments in resuscitation techniques, critical care procedures, diagnostic technologies, and the integration of artificial intelligence to expedite response and enhance decision-making capabilities.

By convening medical professionals and fostering dialogue amid rapid changes in emergency care practices, the conference aims to contribute to safer, higher-quality, and more compassionate care delivery across the Sultanate.