Publications
APS Bulletin • Volume 15, Number 1, Winter 2005
President’s Message
Not “Oh No, Not Another Conference,” But “Wow, I Want to Be a Part of It!”
Dennis C. Turk, PhD
By now you have reviewed the program of the 24th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society, which will be held in Boston from March 30 to April 2, 2005. Many of you have already decided to attend, but others are undecided. This latter group may be thinking, “Oh no, not another conference! Why should I attend? I’m too busy. I can’t be away from my office (clinic, lab) for that long. I already attend too many meetings. It’s inconvenient and too expensive. Besides, I can learn what is going on in my field from reading journal articles.” There is no question that these are valid reservations, but let’s consider the alternative. What are the benefits of attending the meeting, and more importantly, of participating in it? What will be the return on your investment?
Sure, you can read journals to learn about the newest scientific insights, discoveries, innovations, and clinical outcomes. But there is lag time between the completion of a study and the publication date. By attending the meeting you will be on the cutting edge of new developments. Live presentations and discussions create excitement that usually cannot be expressed in print. In a sense, it is like attending a live concert rather than listening to a CD or going to a sports event rather than watching it on TV.
Reading is a relatively passive endeavor. At the meeting, you will have the opportunity to interact with investigators and colleagues, raise questions, debate the implications, plan follow-up studies, or discuss results with other participants. You can promote your own research and clinical observations with others who have similar interests. You can relate the clinical insights presented to questions of basic science, or translate the scientific discoveries described to clinical practice.
At the meeting, you will meet with poster presenters one-on-one and learn about their thinking and future directions for their research. National and international speakers invited to present lectures will provide integrated approaches and discussions of programmatic research that extend beyond single studies.
By attending the meeting, you benefit from hearing directly from policy makers about issues that may impact you directly. You have the chance to be proactive in revising your own thinking, planning, and practice.
The Art Exhibit, new this year, is one feature of the program that you will not want to miss. Here you can view a display of artwork by APS members or spouses. You will have an opportunity to see the creativity of your fellow APS members in a new light, in realms unrelated directly to science and practice.
Roger Fillingim, chair, and other members of the multidisciplinary Scientific Program Committee have organized an outstanding program that includes lectures, symposia, and a poster session. In addition, there are numerous workshops, which include such topics as genetics; pathophysiology; treatment strategies (e.g., pharmacological, interventional, and rehabilitation); clinical practice improvement; prevention of chronicity and disability; translational research; neurophysiology; pain mechanisms; health-related quality of life; and analgesic development. Special interest groups will meet to discuss topics and issues of particular interest to like-minded people.
In short, attending and participating in the meeting is a win-win situation. You will hear about topics and issues related to public policy along with basic, translational, and clinical research that you could integrate into your ongoing activities. You will have a chance to network with your colleagues and interact with researchers at the cutting edge of their respective fields. You will leave the meeting reinvigorated, having gained energy to sustain you in your daily activities throughout the year. All of this is packed into four days in the historic and exciting city of Boston.
So, don’t think, “Oh no, not another meeting;” but “WOW, what an opportunity! I have to find a way to attend.” I hope you will review the program in the brochure or by going to the Annual Meeting section of the APS Web site. You can fill out the registration form in the brochure or register online. Then you will share my enthusiasm for being a part of the upcoming 24th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society. I look forward to seeing you there!