Active Engagement

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY

VOL. 67, NO. 19, 2016

ª 2016 BY THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY FOUNDATION

ISSN 0735-1097/$36.00

PUBLISHED BY ELSEVIER

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2016.03.503

FELLOWS-IN-TRAINING & EARLY CAREER PAGE

Active Engagement A Fellow’s Guide to Academic Conferences Abhinav Sharma, MD,a,b Kishan S. Parikh, MD,a Christopher B. Fordyce, MD, MSCa

T

hroughout

residency,

apply for young investigator or trainee awards. These

and fellowship, most trainees will attend

medical

school,

awards can frequently be applied to automatically

several conferences. These can vary in size,

when submitting an abstract, but oftentimes they

scope, and specialty and can be local, national, or

require a separate application. Such awards can often

international. Although some trainees attending con-

partly or completely supplement travel, hotel, or

ferences may be presenting a poster or oral abstract,

registration fees. In addition, some of these awards

commonly a trainee’s interaction with a congress

offer the chance to present in front of experts in the

tends to be fairly passive. A significant amount of

field or even to partake in a larger competition. For

time at a congress is spent sitting in darkened rooms

example, the American College of Cardiology (ACC)

and listening to lectures without necessarily interact-

has Young Investigator awards that can cover a sig-

ing with the presenter or members of the panel.

nificant part of travel and hotel expenses. Table 2

Attempts to engage with some of the world’s experts

summarizes some of the national and international

who are presenting at these congresses can be

young investigator awards in cardiology to which

limited, because these individuals have busy sched-

trainees can apply.

ules and many other people at the conference are often attempting to speak with them. Standing in front of an audience during a question-and-answer period can be daunting and, importantly, does not allow for a meaningful individual discussion. Although attending these sessions is important to keep abreast of the latest clinical and research findings, a conference can also be leveraged to significantly maximize academic output. As trainees, time can be limited because of other research and clinical commitments. In this paper, we describe specific strategies to effectively utilize the time spent at congresses to maximize academic output and career advancement endeavors (Table 1). We highlight examples from a variety of congresses to illustrate some of these strategies.

YOUNG INVESTIGATOR/TRAINEE AWARDS

NETWORKING Congresses offer a unique opportunity to meet with a large number of fellowship directors from across the country at 1 location. For some of the larger national congresses, such as the ACC Scientific Sessions or the American

Heart

Association

Scientific

Sessions,

there is a good chance that many fellowship and subspecialty fellowship program directors will be in attendance. If not, other members of a program’s admission committee will likely be present. Trainees early in their fellowship program can reach out to program directors to set up a meeting to learn more about a particular program and to set the stage for future applications. If presenting at a congress, the trainee can show his or her poster or invite the program director to attend an oral presentation. Personal experience has shown that program directors are very

Even before attending a congress or submitting an

receptive to such meetings. We recommend sending

abstract, trainees should look for opportunities to

an e-mail several months before the congress to the program director (and/or members of the program admission’s committee) to inquire whether a meeting

From the aDuke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham,

would be possible. A follow-up e-mail closer to the

North Carolina; and the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University

congress is also recommended to remind the program

of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

director of the meeting.

b

Sharma et al.

JACC VOL. 67, NO. 19, 2016 MAY 17, 2016:2306–9

T A B L E 1 Strategies to Maximize Time Spent at Conferences

1. Apply for young investigator awards and competitions 2. Meet with fellowship or subspecialty program directors and other members of admission committees

publish a review on a topic presented at the congress. Often the trainee will be linked with the person who presented on that topic, and can collaborate in writing a review. As an example, the Cardiovascular

3. Meet colleagues socially

Clinical Trialist Forum in Washington, DC (1), allows

4. Attend trainee specific lectures, seminars, and workshops

interested fellows to join the writing group, and on the

5. Join congress working groups

basis of interest, the fellow will be paired up with a

6. Participate in conference writing groups

presenter of a particular topic. Along with other par-

7. Interview presenters on new research 8. Attend smaller conferences 9. Follow-up with individuals post-conference

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Fellows-in-Training & Early Career Page

ticipants, most of whom are world authorities in various fields of cardiology, the fellow can write a review or viewpoint that summarizes existing knowledge, new advances, or controversies. These are sub-

ATTEND TRAINEE-SPECIFIC EVENTS AND

sequently submitted for peer-reviewed publication.

MEET COLLEAGUES SOCIALLY

To date, a number of fellow-initiated publications have developed from this congress (1–4).

Often, congresses will host specific trainee-focused events. At the 2016 ACC Scientific Sessions, there

JOIN CONGRESS WORKING GROUPS

were a number of fellow- and trainee-directed symposia. As an example, there was a fellows-in-training

Various national cardiovascular organizations will

scholarship and education session where cardiovas-

have working groups that fellows can get involved in.

cular experts discussed a range of topics such as

These groups range from guideline writing groups, to

how to find a mentor, how to get a grant funded, and

advocacy, and to membership and fund-raising. As

the publication process behind the Journal of the

an example, the ACC has specific working groups

American College of Cardiology.

targeted toward fellows such as the Pediatric Working

It is important to also realize that conferences are an

Group and the Medical Resident Member Group.

excellent opportunity to connect with former and cur-

Often, these working groups will have meetings

rent classmates, residents, and fellows in a more social

during national conferences and may have video or

manner. Such interactions are important, as these in-

teleconference meetings throughout the year. Such

dividuals will form a network of connections for future

opportunities allow trainees to participate in the

research and jobs. Many congresses, such as the ACC

organization of national medical organizations and

Annual Scientific Sessions, are held in cities that are

would further facilitate networking with physicians

very conducive to meeting socially after the day.

and health care professionals from across the country.

PRE-PLAN A CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

INTERVIEW PRESENTERS ON NEW RESEARCH

Most large conferences have mobile applications that can help you navigate the schedule and pick out ses-

Many organizations or groups that attend large con-

sions and events of interest. We would recommend

ferences allow fellows to interview researchers on

that trainees spend the day prior to the conference

work that they have presented during the conference.

setting out a rough timetable of lectures or symposia of

As an example, the Duke Clinical Research Institute

interest. Often, with large conferences like the ACC Scientific Sessions, there are so many interesting talks occurring at the same time that trying to decide on the

T A B L E 2 Cardiovascular Conferences That Have Young Investigator

Competitions/Awards

day of the congress can be overwhelming. Furthermore, from a logistic point of view, with larger con-

Conference

Web Site

American College of Cardiology

http://www.acc.org/membership/memberbenefits-and-resources/award-programs/ research-and-career-development-awards

spent at the conference.

American Heart Association: includes Council on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology; Council of Care and Outcomes Research

http://my.americanheart.org/professional/ Councils/AwardsandLectures/EarlyCareer/ Early-Career-Council-Awards_UCM_3221 02_Article.jsp#.VqR0hVKB2gc

PARTICIPATE IN CONFERENCE

Cardiovascular Clinical Trialist Forum

http://www.globalcvctforum.com/younginvestigators/grant

Canadian Cardiovascular Society

http://ccs.ca/en/young-investigator-award

European Society of Cardiology

http://www.escardio.org/The-ESC/About/ Awards/Young-Investigators-Awards

ferences there can be a substantial distance between various lecture halls. Establishing a schedule beforehand will aid in significantly maximizing the time

WRITING GROUPS Various conferences will have writing groups that enable fellows to take the lead to summarize and

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Fellows-in-Training & Early Career Page

(DCRI) has a fellows-in-training blog where DCRI

Athlete’s Heart. These smaller congresses allow the

research fellows interview experts on their research.

trainee to gain more directed knowledge. Further-

As an example, the trial results of the Comprehen-

more, the smaller conferences give more opportunity

sive Lifestyle Peer Group–Based Intervention on

for the trainee to interact with other national and

Cardiovascular Risk Factors: The Randomized Con-

international physicians.

trolled Fifty-Fifty Program was presented at AHA 2015 by Dr. Valentin Fuster (5). A Duke research fellow (Abhinav Sharma) had the opportunity to interview him on the results of the trial. The video was then disseminated through YouTube and the DCRI media outlets. Other DCRI research fellows have conducted a number of such interviews with international experts in cardiology (6). Such an experience has multiple benefits. First, it enables fellows to directly interact with experts in the field of cardiology. Second, it allows researchers to further discuss their results. Finally, it enables fellows to network with national and international cardiologists.

POST-CONFERENCE After the conference has concluded, we encourage an e-mail or phone call to touch base with the individuals with whom the trainee has interacted at the conference. This post-conference follow-up is important to solidify the relationship established during the conference. Furthermore, this follow-up will allow a trainee to initiate future dialogue to discuss fellowship, research, or job opportunities. Conferences can often be a passive experience for trainees; however, they offer a unique opportunity for academic output and career advancement. Given the limited time trainees have during fellowship,

ATTEND SMALLER CONFERENCES

conference time should be used effectively to provide a more active and enriching experience.

As trainees develop their research and clinical interests, it may be valuable to attend smaller and more

REPRINT REQUESTS AND CORRESPONDENCE: Dr.

specialized conferences. As an example, the ACC of-

Abhinav Sharma, Duke Clinical Research Institute,

fers a number of specialized conferences, such as

2400 Pratt Street, Durham, North Carolina. E-mail:

Advances in Nuclear Cardiology or the Care of the

[email protected].

REFERENCES 1. Ahmad T, Fiuzat M, Pencina MJ, et al. Charting a

in drug trials in patients with type 2 diabetes.

peer group–based intervention on cardiovascu-

roadmap for heart failure biomarker studies. J Am Coll Cardiol HF 2014;2:477–88.

Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2016;4:294–6.

lar risk factors: the randomized controlled Fifty-Fifty Program. J Am Coll Cardiol 2016;67: 476–85.

2. Kelly JP, Mentz RJ, Mebazza A, et al. Patient selection in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction clinical trials. J Am Coll Cardiol 2015;65:1668–82. 3. Sharma A, Bhatt DL, Calvo G, Brown NJ, Zannad F, Mentz RJ. Heart failure event definitions

4. Mentz RJ, Kjeldsen K, Rossi GP, et al. Decongestion in acute heart failure. Eur J Heart Fail 2014;16:471–82. 5. Gómez-Pardo E, Fernández-Alvira JM, Vilanova M, et al. A comprehensive lifestyle

6. Duke Cardiology Fellows’ Blog. Available at: https://www.dukecardiologyfellows.org/. Accessed April 4, 2016.

RESPONSE: The Future of Cardiology Fellow and Early Career Engagement at National Meetings Athena Poppas, MD,a Jeffrey T. Kuvin, MDb a

Brown University School of Medicine, Cardiovascular Imaging, Cardiovascular Institute, Rhode Island, Miriam,

Newport Hospitals, Providence, Rhode Island; and bTufts University School of Medicine, Cardiology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts E-mail: [email protected] OR [email protected] Dr. Poppas is the Chair and Dr. Kuvin is the Co-Chair of the

For fellow-in-training (FIT) and early career (EC)

2016 American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific

members, attending national and international educa-

Sessions.

tional meetings is vital to professional and career

Sharma et al.

JACC VOL. 67, NO. 19, 2016 MAY 17, 2016:2306–9

development. Although these meetings can be overwhelming, they are the primary venues that bring together

Fellows-in-Training & Early Career Page

T A B L E 3 ACC.15 FIT Events

Experience

scientific leaders and the latest research and technology,

Useful*

and are an arena in which to connect professionally with

Experienced

colleagues. The academic conference is the setting,

General sessions

4.37

76%

notwithstanding the fact that we live in a virtual world of

Fellows Boot Camp (TCT @ ACC-i2 Intervention)

4.35

44%

FIT Meet and greets with ACC Leadership and Early Career Faculty in the FIT Lounge

4.31

52%

Mentoring event on Sunday in the Early Career Lounge

4.22

45%

FIT Community Room/Lounge

4.21

69%

ECG tutorials in the FIT Lounge

4.19

37%

FIT Forum: Stump the Professor

4.16

37%

digitalized communication, where young professionals can engage in direct conversations with established colleagues in their field. The benefits, moreover, of presenting original research and participating in live courses can be profound, altering one’s career trajectory. Over time the landscape of professional conferences has changed, and there are now myriad, specialized

FIT Clinical Decision-Making Poster Sessions

4.16

58%

meetings from which to choose. For example, the Amer-

FIT Forum: Innovative Careers in Medicine

4.14

38%

ican College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Sessions

FIT Forum: Scholarship and Education

4.12

41%

brings together almost 20,000 professionals and covers

FIT Forum: Jeopardy

4.10

42%

FIT Forum: Careers in Cardiology

4.10

51%

FIT Forum: Mix ’n’ Mingle

4.03

50%

Board of Governors and FITs Reception on Sunday at Jolt’n Joes

3.99

31%

nearly every research and clinical practice topic, whereas other meetings, such as the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, take a deep dive with an expert focus on particular areas of cardiovascular molecular imaging. FITs and EC professionals are typically eager to attend many of these conferences, but they often find the process of choosing the appropriate ones confusing. In addition,

From ACC.15 survey of 2,187 attendees, n ¼ 392 FIT members. *Scale: 5, extremely useful / 1, not at all useful. ACC ¼ American College of Cardiology; ECG ¼ electrocardiogram; FIT ¼ fellow-in-training; TCT ¼ Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics.

clinical coverage, cost, and time away remain limiting factors. Professional organizations, training programs, and practices should invest in funding and in advising young

participation and professional development. They help to

professionals to attend national meetings; the benefits are

cultivate more intimate settings within such a large

enormous and must remain a priority.

conference.

Recent attendance figures and surveys suggest that

The key to providing impactful education is to embrace

there are increasing levels of professional engagement and

participant engagement, provide innovative educational

satisfaction by young cardiologists at meetings, including

methods, and promote interdisciplinary, team-based ini-

the ACC’s annual scientific sessions. Last year, of the

tiatives. The practical advice offered by Drs. Sharma,

19,174 attendees at ACC.15, 1,829 were trainees (1,281 fel-

Parikh, and Fordyce is important and helpful for FITs and

lows and 548 nonmember trainees); this represents

EC professionals. Cardiovascular meetings should assess

steady, yearly growth. FITs identify the ACC meeting as a

and fulfill individual knowledge gaps and incorporate a

rewarding experience and rated it “extremely satisfying”:

variety of learning activities to achieve the ultimate goal

4.41 on a scale of 1 to 5. For interventionists in particular,

of purposeful teaching and personalized education. The

the 60þ sessions in the i2 tract were some of the most

time we spend actually engaging one another as profes-

popular, including the Fellows Boot Camp, live cases, and

sional colleagues is perhaps all the more necessary—

the simulation activities. Furthermore, engaging FITs in

and rewarding—in the digital world we live in now.

their own content development and programming leads to

Little can replace the experience of being in the same

impactful education such as FIT forums, including lumi-

place with colleagues who share the same passion for

naries and mentoring, scholarship and career paths, and

science and patient care. And, this is especially true for

interactive sessions (Table 3). These kinds of innovative

our younger colleagues, our future professional leaders in

educational formats are crucial to younger colleagues’

cardiology.

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