Meet-and-Greet Program for Residents: A Novel Strategy to Encourage Future Nephrologists.

Abstract

Dear Editor, Over the past decade, utilization of social media platforms has noticeably increased. Within the nephrology community, this trend has led to a natural and an ongoing rise in the number of people who are keen on using these platforms for educational and professional advancement.[1] Aside from providing educational content, social media sites are also being used by various residency programs to establish their online presence and recruit potential applicants.[2,3] The 52nd annual national conference of the Indian Society of Nephrology (ISNCON22) was conducted in Pune, Maharashtra, India, from December 1 to December 4, 2022. A dedicated social media team was formed by the Indian Society of Nephrology for ISNCON22. We adopted a novel strategy to engage with more residents and young nephrologists by organizing a meet-and-greet program for them. This program was successfully conducted and generated a warm response from residents and faculties. We hereby share our observations on the importance of such programs and their relevance. [Figure 1].Figure 1: Benefits of the meet-and-greet program for residents Knowledge sharing: Residents discussed their experiences and challenges in their respective zones. This helped them learn from each other and find solutions to issues they face at work. Networking: The program provided an opportunity for residents to meet and network with other budding nephrologists in different zones. They exchanged ideas, learnt about new research and findings, and built professional relationships. Exposure: Attending the meet-and-greet program helped residents to gain exposure and recognition. This can be helpful when seeking job opportunities or applying for fellowships and grants. Career growth: The program helped residents to learn about career opportunities and potential mentors. They can network with senior professionals who can offer guidance and advice on how to navigate their careers. We hope that this novel ritual of meet-and-greet for nephrology residents will also carry on in future conferences. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.