Episode summary

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  Why in‑person conferences still matter in a post‑COVID world.

  
  


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  What formats work now: short talks, interviews, demos, strong hosting.

  
  


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  How to turn “a great day out” into Monday‑morning change.

  
  

Guests

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  David Carr — EM physician (Toronto). Leads the Annual Update in EM at Whistler. Focus: inclusive, high‑energy, “hard‑core EM” content.

  
  


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  Haney Mallemat — EM & Critical Care (South Jersey/Philadelphia). Founder of ResusX; designs short, high‑engagement sessions that feel like live conversations.

  
  

Key themes

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  Why travel when content is online?
  
  Being in the room changes attention, reflection, and recall. Learning happens in corridors, evening sessions, and next‑day conversations.

  
  


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  From lectures to experiences.
  
  Shift to shorter talks, couch discussions, live demos, and deliberate hosting. Format follows audience and venue.

  
  


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  Programme design starts with the audience.
  
  Build for how people learn now. Coach faculty. Pick speakers for delivery and credibility.

  
  


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  Strong hosting is part of pedagogy.
  
  Good chairs manage flow, time, and psychological safety so the audience can relax and learn.

  
  


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  Social learning drives change.
  
  Purposeful social time and small‑group evening sessions create the “stickiness” that leads to projects and practice updates.

  
  

Practical takeaways for clinicians

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  Arrive with intent: bring 1–2 real patient problems to solve.

  
  


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  Choose your format: prioritise short talks, interviews, and hands‑on if your attention is fragmented.

  
  


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  Make it stick on Monday: debrief with a colleague, write one practice change, set a review date. Present a short “what I learned” to your team.

  
  


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  Borrow authority wisely: take clear, referenced points (e.g., contrast allergy/nephropathy policies) back to local committees.

  
  

Practical takeaways for organisers

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  Audience first: define who you serve; let that drive length, tone, and format.

  
  


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  Shorten and vary: fewer bullet‑heavy lectures; more interviews, panels, and no‑slide formats when it helps educators shine.

  
  


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  Coach and curate: select speakers for content and delivery; build a pipeline for new voices.

  
  


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  Invest in hosting: treat chairs as educators; they safeguard pacing, transitions, and safety.

  
  


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  Design the socials: plan purposeful evening micro‑teaching and cross‑disciplinary meet‑ups.

  
  


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  Measure impact: mandate feedback tied to CPD; analyse themes and close the loop next year.

  
  

Risks and tensions

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  Edutainment vs evidence: keep the energy without losing rigour.

  
  


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  Access and equity: budgets, visas, disability, and caring responsibilities exclude many; amplify content post‑event.

  
  


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  “Too innovative?” Novel formats can struggle with recognition and funding; meet audiences halfway and iterate.

  
  

How conferences translate to patient care

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  Prioritise topics that solve common bottlenecks.

  
  


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  Put change agents on stage with take‑home resources (e.g., clear radiology guidance on contrast “allergy” and nephropathy).

  
  


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  Encourage attendees to form local groups to implement one change within two weeks.