My first annual meeting of one of our professional societies was an ASCO meeting over 30 years ago. I was a hematology/oncology fellow and did not really know what to expect. It was in Los Angeles. I remember being taken aback at the scope of the meeting (it seemed huge to me), as well as the significant presence of the pharmaceutical industry.
Of course today the size and scope of the ASCO annual meeting is much larger than it was then. I always try to attend the ASH and ASCO annual meetings. I enjoy them and believe they are an essential professional tool for development, relationship building, and continued education. Conferences are both exhilarating and exhausting but well worth the time and effort. I have a few tips and tricks to share, garnered over the years-many, many years.
Stay Current on Research
It's critically important to stay up to date on the research in your field, and these meetings are the best one-stop shop to do it. The intellectual stimulation is enormous as the science in our field changes so quickly. It's an opportunity to attend, listen, and learn from peers at all levels of their careers.
Conference organizers manage to adroitly merge the mixture of basic scientific research with massive breakthroughs and practice-changing science. I read the abstracts I am interested in prior to the meeting (sometimes on the airplane), which allows me to focus my time and attend the sessions that I prioritize. A structured plan of attack based on interest, location, and necessity helps ease the overwhelming feeling that there is way too much to do and see in a short period of time. Therefore, read as many abstracts as you can before you show up.
Recruiting, Networking, & Reconnecting
In addition to continued learning, conferences bring together not just the scientific leaders, but also junior physicians who are there to learn. Thus, it is a superb place for me to conduct recruiting interviews. Most candidates are at the meeting, which simplifies the interview scheduling process.
Additionally, meetings away from home are an opportunity for team-building exercises for your group. This usually mean dinners. Which are fun. It's hard to get very intellectual about the value of these dinners for your team, but I do think it generates and strengthens the fabric of your team. Finally, reconnecting with friends and peers that you rarely see is joyful. Last December at the ASH annual meeting, the best time for me was a lunch with a cherished friend. As I have said many times, work and life are about human relationships and human connections.
Push Junior Faculty Into the Deep End
ASH and ASCO both attempt to introduce junior faculty to important roles, such as moderating sessions. But you, as a leader of your team, can do even more. Let your junior faculty or your fellows or residents be the presenters of an oral abstract. They will need guidance and mentorship.
Without question, there is an art to a brief scientific presentation at a huge meeting like ASCO, but it's rewarding work. It is great to see residents or fellows presenting oral abstracts. The actual presentation may be a challenge, but they will do better as it progresses and the experience will set them up for future success.
Remember, serving leadership is all about helping the members of your team succeed. I think that paving the way for young investigators is a major job responsibility for leaders in the field. Too many seasoned researchers remain at the podium, in the spotlight, when it would be better to allow their younger colleagues to have the stage. I would rather see promotion of their junior faculty by allowing members of their team experience the excitement (some might say terror) of presenting before an audience of over 1,000. This can only serve your organization and team development as you continue to cultivate exceptional talent.
The Art of the Tweet
A big change over the past few years is the presence of social media, primarily Twitter, at national meetings. I think this is a good thing and vastly underutilized. If you use Twitter, and if you follow individuals that you respect, then it can be a quick and useful way to read about studies you may have missed or add context to new data.
For a large cancer center, Twitter can also assist with team building. I believe that teamwork is the key to success as health care evolves. I also believe that team science is increasingly important. Sharing a team-based goal, like being active on Twitter, can elevate internal culture and foster teamwork. We've created a Twitter list to make it easier to follow along. It also can be pretty funny at times.
The point is that Twitter and social networking in general allow information to be shared in real time throughout the world. At conferences, Twitter provides a platform to share with those who can't attend the meeting, offer your insight into research, and establish yourself as a leader in your field.
Avoiding Cliques
I'm continually reminded at meetings of, and bothered by, the demonstration of an elite club, the self-serving and smug cliques, and the in-group mentality. These are individuals presenting their research who make inside jokes towards and about other famous investigators. They make off-the-cuff remarks that 99 percent of the audience does not understand. It's a bit like high school-these are the cool kids who hang out together and shun everyone else. In the movie "Mean Girls," these people would be the Plastics.
Presentations are supposed to educate and inspire not deflate others. How can a junior investigator from a less-than-famous organization ever get an abstract accepted for an oral presentation if they are not buddies with one of the cool kids? My advice is to not get sucked in by the Plastics and instead try to be welcoming to all in attendance. Be accepting, strive for inclusion, and try to limit your inside jokes to after-conference dinners, not main-stage presentations.
Know Your Audience
It's a good reminder for all of us to be aware of our audience whenever we are at a public forum-a meeting you are conducting or a speech you are giving. Be aware that some of the attendees are nervous, intimidated, or perhaps unfamiliar with the subject matter.
Therefore, try to introduce the basics of the topic at hand. If you are running a meeting, make sure that you create an open environment that invites diverse input. Try to generate an atmosphere of warmth. Introduce yourself to other speakers or other moderators. If you make a joke about somebody, make a joke about yourself. Create a safe environment for everyone to feel secure enough to participate.
I strongly encourage new and seasoned professionals alike to attend our national meetings-ASH, ASCO, ASTRO, and others. There are always opportunities to learn about new research findings. If you are a younger investigator, hopefully your mentor will work towards having you represent the team's research on the podium. And believe in yourself. Your new ideas are worthy and may be every bit as important as those from larger organizations.
Additionally, use these conferences to meet new people, share your ideas, and collaborate. Maybe even try your hand at sharing your opinions with the world of Twitter. Finally, if you are a famous investigator, well-established and with your reputation secure, try to refrain from being a cool kid when you are speaking. Humility will serve you much better. See you in Chicago!
BRIAN J. BOLWELL, MD, FACP, is Chairman of the Taussig Cancer Institute and Professor of Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner School of Medicine.
Straight Talk: Today's Cancer Centers