Making the Most of Your Next Medical Conference

One of the keystones of getting promoted is building a national reputation. So when I started my career that was absolutely my goal. My only problem was no one had given me any advice on how to accomplish this. I understood that publishing and getting on the program were really important and allowed me to understand what other people's areas of Interest were. It also gave me the opportunity to watch others present and publish and see what the hot topics were and how these presentations were received. 

Networking: In addition to publishing, networking and knowing the right people seems like an obvious  strategy to become better known. Unfortunately, as an introvert, and someone who didn't interview at a lot of programs, I felt like I was starting off in the back of the pack.  In fact, I interviewed at more general surgery programs than ENT programs in the late 90s when I was interviewing… but back to the story. 

Because I didn't have a large network at the beginning of my career, I would often take note of the folks who served on the program committee and make a concerted effort to meet them. My intent was to understand how to get on the program and offer my assistance. Now having served on a number of these committees, I know that it is helpful to get suggestions regarding topics for future meetings. I also appreciate people who are willing to volunteer or offer up new faces for speakers for future meetings. And it is not surprising that when people raise their hand to help, you often consider including them in future programs. 

Speak up at the Q&A Sessions: Whether or not you are on the program, providing thoughtful questions or insightful comments during question and answer sessions can help you make a name for yourself. These sessions are designed to enhance knowledge exchange among peers and help researchers improve their presentation of the information. I will reinforce, however, that you should PLEASE try to be thoughtful and kind in  your questioning. Everyone knows someone who appears to be “out to get  you” when they ask a question, and no one wants to be that person. However, you do want to learn, teach and connect with like-minded peers, establish relationships, and expand your network.

If you are not comfortable going up to the podium, this is a perfect thing to work on with a mentor or a coach. In the meantime, you can always touch base with the authors after the session to give feedback or answer questions. 

Attend Social Events: Along the same vein as the recommendation to speak up in the Q&A session, I recommend attending the social event. These are prime networking opportunities that are typically attended by the society or meeting leadership. This is an opportunity to talk to the movers and the shakers (and the people selecting individuals for the next meeting). 

As an introvert, I do not find these easy unless I know a few people in the room. If you don’t know anyone, I recommend focusing on talking to just one person and getting to know them a little bit. If that first conversation doesn’t go anywhere, try again. In addition to networking, these also serve as a great opportunity for informal learning with your peers. I have definitely written out surgical technique notes on cocktail napkins, so take advantage or teach someone something!

Get on the Program: Speaking at a meeting is the ultimate way to build your reputation. If you are a comfortable and polished speaker, this may be a great opportunity to showcase your skills. If you are not as comfortable, be sure to prepare and practice your presentation ahead of time. Speaking from the stage gives you credibility and is a huge factor in achieving recognition. This is especially true if you publish the information presented or reference your publications during the presentation. It is also great to accept feedback and questions with grace, acknowledging when you don’t know an answer and that you see the limitations in your work. And hearing other people’s great questions often gives me ideas for future study!

Additional ways to approach a medical conference include:

• Serve on Committees or Task Forces
• Submit Research Abstracts or Poster Presentations
• Put Abstract & Panel Deadlines on Your Calendar (Be prepared)
• Publish in Conference Proceedings or Journals
• Engage on Social Media 

Don’t forget to enjoy yourself, catch up with friends, learn something and treat yourself to a little self-care (because you deserve it!). 

If you are interested in a summary of these tips, please look for the Medical Conference Checklist on my website at www.medicalmentorcoaching.com