Professional Congress Research Articles

BSW light, the first completely virtual surgical congress in Belgium: out of the box

Background Due to the SARS-COV2 pandemic-related restrictions the 2020 Belgian Surgical Week (BSW) was organized as a virtual congress, being the first surgical, virtual congress in Belgium. Since this was a new experience and probably not the last, we aim to share our experience to assist other professionals in organizing their virtual events. Methods The ‘BSW-light’ was organized by the RBSS in collaboration with a Professional Congress Organizer (PCO), which is described in detail. Analytical data of the event were provided by the PCO and a UEMS ‘live educational events participant evaluation form’ based survey was sent out to all registered participants, using google forms, to evaluate the event. Results During 2 days, 78 prerecorded presentations were broadcasted in 2 virtual conference rooms, each followed by a live Q & A session. The plenary session on the third day contained 8 live presentations, both from Belgium and from abroad. A total of 503 people registered for the congress, of whom 224 trainees. Each session attracted 158 visitors on average, each spending an average of 73 min. Attendees were satisfied with the technical aspect of the virtual congress, but they preferred an event that is at least partially live. Conclusion Although the ‘BSW-light’ proved to be successful, a preference to meet in real life remained. However, given its potential, we should keep an open mind towards integrating the advantages of a virtual meeting into a live event.

Peer review declaration

All papers published in this volume of IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering have been peer reviewed through processes administered by the Editors. Reviews were conducted by expert referees to the professional and scientific standards expected of a proceedings journal published by IOP Publishing.• Type of peer review: Double-blind • Conference submission management system:DPCS3 - Diamond Professional Congress System• Number of submissions received: 110• Number of submissions sent for review: 110• Number of submissions accepted: 72• Acceptance Rate (Number of Submissions Accepted / Number of Submissions Received X 100): 65%• Average number of reviews per paper: minimum 2The 4 reviewers had to judge the continuously arriving materials from November until June. Quite a few did not meet the requirements of the conference, they were rejected.• Total number of reviewers involved: 4Miklós Hajdu - miklos.hajdu63@gmail.com Mirostaw J. Skibniewski Levente Mályusz Zoltán Vattai• Any additional info on review process: Not only scientific but also professional and formal requirements were scored.• Detailed grading:1. The references are representative and correct.2. The abstract and keywords describe the content.3. The paper makes a contribution to construction research.4. The title reflects the content and purpose of the abstract.5. The English is satisfactory.6. The paper is in the template and the size is appropriate.7. The quality of the illustrations, figures and tables is satisfactory.8. The topic of the paper is relevant to the constituent themes of the conference.9. The list of references contains the DOI nr. of the referred material.10. The paper is of sufficient quality for CCC 2021.11. I recommend this version of the paper to be published in the Conference Proceedings• Contact person for queries:Gergely Szakáts, Diamond Congress Ltd. gergely@diamond-congress.hu

Confference report: 10th Jubilee International Scientific and Professional Congress - A Child in Motion 2019

Confference report: 10th Jubilee International Scientific and Professional Congress - A Child in Motion 2019

Behind the Scenes of ESDR

Behind the Scenes of ESDR

Athens as a Major Congress Destination and the Role of Professional Congress Organizers (PCOs)

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that contribute to the attraction of major congress events in Athens, Greece and the role of professional congress organizers (PCOs) in this process. To meet this aim we used a questionnaire distributed through Google Forms to 30 PCO executives in the major Athens area. The questionnaire used qualitative and quantitative methods and contained both open and closed answer questions. Results showed that most PCOs organize local events with medical congresses being the main activity (96.7%). The vast majority of PCO’s use the social media or digital marketing to approach clients (with Facebook being the principal tool, 89.7%), as only 33.3% of the Greek PCOs can afford to participate as exponents to major congress tourism exhibitions worldwide because of their small size and limited resources. This means that the role of PCOs in the attraction of major congress events in Athens is limited. Additionally, PCOs revealed that most congresses organized in Athens last only 1-2 days (74%), with a mean number of participants on average about 300 people. Respondents also think that Athens can become a major congress tourism destination as it has certain advantages (good congress infrastructure, excellent weather, priceless archaeological sites, a unique sea front, night life, good shopping places and opportunities for short excursions) that need to be exploited, as well as the Athens Visitor & Conventions Bureau of which they share a positive view. The current study shows that conjoint efforts of the state, the private sector and certain congress tourism stakeholders are needed (adopting advanced development strategies and using intensive marketing tools, including ambassador programs and adequate bidding processes) in order for Athens to attract international congress events and be established as a major congress tourism destination.

IEEE region 8 student and young professional congress: Porto, Portugal; July 25–29, 2018

IEEE region 8 student and young professional congress: Porto, Portugal; July 25–29, 2018

Organization of International Medical Congresses as Possibility for Extending Croatian Tourist Offer

Abstract Organization of international medical congresses is a perfect example of multidisciplinary cooperation with professional medical associations and Medical schools on one side and professional congress organizers on the other. Medical congresses are perhaps most frequent congresses in the world. Organization of medical congresses can be achieved in a number of ways: Organizers can be local professional associations or Medical schools, international professional associations and international professional congress organizers. To be nominated for organization of a congress, successful cooperation of medical professionals is needed, especially doctors and professional congress organizers. Success largely depends on knowledge of the availability of conference halls, available accommodations in the vicinity of the congress halls, ease of access to the congress destination, expectancies of possible candidates who will attend in connection to the congress destination, lobbying for nomination for organization of a congress. This article will analyze availability of conference halls in Croatia, accommodation capacities, transport possibilities. For the needs of this article, pilot questionnaire was constructed about demands of possible participants and their preferable destinations to be visited. Statistical analysis of Medical congresses in Europe is also shown according to geographical spreading. Concluding the article, we show that better education of medical staff about the possibilities of professional congress organizing are very important, as well as sharing of the experiences from big congresses among the medical professional in the field of medical congress organization. With multidisciplinary approach of all participants in organization of the congress (Ministry of Tourism, Croatian Tourist Association, Croatian Associations of professionals in congress tourism, hotels, medical professionals) Croatia could be much better recognized as destination for organizing medical congresses.

Cuomo, Wall Street and Class Struggle at CUNY

On May 12, 2016, the Professional Staff Congress (PSC) – the union representing faculty and staff at the City University of New York (CUNY) – announced the results of a strike authorization vote: 9...

Proliferation of gynaecological scientific societies and their financial transparency: an Italian survey

ObjectivesTo determine the number of Italian obstetrical and gynaecological societies, and to ascertain their financial transparency.DesignInternet-based national survey and website content analysis.ParticipantsCurrently active, not privately owned, non-religious, apolitical, obstetrical and...

The Contribution of Medical Tourism to the Economic and Regional Development in Greece

The aim of this paper is to investigate the contribution of medical tourism in the economic and tourism development in Greece. For this purpose, a nationwide survey was carried out in 2012. The sample population consisted of executives of 5-star hotels across the country and members of the Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organizers (HAPCO). Data was gathered by emailing a structured questionnaire to the executives of the abovementioned companies. Descriptive data analyses have been performed. According to our findings, the vast majority of members of 5-star hotels supports that medical tourism could contribute positively to the economic development of the region and to the development of tourism in the country. Majority of executives also believe that investments in medical tourism will be very helpful in attracting tourists and stimulating economic development. The finding of this research indicates that the medical tourism in Greece are perceived by the Greece hoteliers and congress organisers as an effective mean of tourism and economic growth which could facilitate the way out of economic crisis.

A Supply Side Investigation of Medical Tourism and ICT Use in Greece

Greece is experiencing a deep economic crisis while seeking for new sources of revenues. Nowadays, medical tourism seems to be an effective mean of economic growth, which could facilitate the way out of the crisis. The aim of this paper is to investigate tourism companies’ readiness to invest in medical tourism in Greece and the ICT infrastructure underlying it. For this purpose, a nationwide survey was carried out in 2012. The target population consisted of all the 337 5-star hotels across the country and 28 companies-members of the Hellenic Association of Professional Congress Organizers (HAPCO). Data was gathered by emailing a structured questionnaire to the executives of the abovementioned companies, which investigated the executives’ opinion and experience regarding the characteristics of the tourism facilities of their company, their evaluation of the existing medical tourist infrastructure in Greece and perspectives for future investment in the field. Descriptive and econometric analyses have been performed and logistic regression was applied. According to our findings, high class hotels seem to be willing to invest in medical tourism, since they have the ability and the relevant infrastructure to develop it. Obviously, medical tourism in Greece could constitute an important source of national income and consequently, an alternative for the country to exit the economic crisis, provided care is given to ICT infrastructure and legislation procedures.

Appointment of a Core Professional Congress Organiser (PCO) for the Management of the European Proteomics Association (EuPA) Scientific Meetings

Appointment of a Core Professional Congress Organiser (PCO) for the Management of the European Proteomics Association (EuPA) Scientific Meetings

Experiences of a professional congress organizer: preparing the Wonca Europe Conference

Experiences of a professional congress organizer: preparing the Wonca Europe Conference

Experiences of a professional congress organizer: preparing the Wonca Europe Conference

Experiences of a professional congress organizer: preparing the Wonca Europe Conference

What Nigerian ophthalmologists do for their irreversibly blind patients

The diagnosis of irreversible blindness (IB) is a traumatic one for both the ophthalmologist and the patient , because of the finality of the patient’s loss of sight. There are supportive measures that an ophthalmologist could provide to ensure a dignified and productive life for the blind patient. This communication examines the types of care that a cross section of Nigerian ophthalmologists provide for their IB patents. Semi-structured questionnaires were distributed to each consenting Ophthalmologists that attended an annual professional national Congress of Opthalmologists in 2004. The questions probed their experience in the management of the IB, treatment options being offered such as: Counselling, supportive ophthalmic care, referral to schools for the blind and/or any available supportive or rehabilitative facilities, and outright discharge of patients from further ophthalmic care. Sixty-five out of the 69 ophthalmologists who responded (94.2%) have managed an IB patient before. Seventeen ophthalmologists gave single treatment option and they comprise 6 who counsel ( c) , 2 who gave supportive ophthalmic care ((S) and 9 who referred ( R ) ). Twenty-four ophtalmologists (35.8%) gave a combination of treatment options that included C,S and R; 11(16.4%) gave C and R. Seven (10.4%) gave C,S; 4(5.9%) gave S,R, while 2(2.9%) gave R,C,S and D. One (1.5) each gave D,R, and C,S and D. None of the ophthalmologists discharged his or her IB patient without having given one or more of the other treatment options. Most of the respondents ophthalmologists have managed and IB patient in their practice. Most counsel their IB patients, give appropriate ophthalmic care, and refer for supportive/rehabilitative services.

News and Notes

News and Notes

Internal medicine and geriatric boundaries, supplementation, transgression. Report on a combined Professional Congress of Internists and Geriatric specialists

Internal medicine and geriatric boundaries, supplementation, transgression. Report on a combined Professional Congress of Internists and Geriatric specialists

“Medical Friendships” in Assisted Dying

As the issue of assisted dying continues toward more expanded legal standing, we shift our primary focus from questions of patients' rights to the largely overlooked challenges that face physicians who elect to assist patients in ending their lives. Dr. Howard Grossman, a Manhattan internist and plaintiff in the unsuccessful New York lawsuit to the Supreme Court (Vacco v. Quill), came forward to say, “Anybody who has done it knows that it is a tremendous decision that you carry with you forever.”1 We focus our attention on the psychological experience and philosophical conflicts faced by physicians engaged in physician-assisted dying (PAD). Based on those potential conflicts, we argue for a new model of the physician and patient relationship in assisted dying: a medical friendship.We wish to express our most sincere appreciation to all the physicians who spoke so openly and generously about what can only be described as profound and life-altering experiences with dying patients. We also wish to thank the Section of Philosophy and Medical Ethics of the Vrije Universiteit Medical Center (Professor Evert van Leeuwen, Ph.D., Chair) for consenting to serve as the host institution for this study. This project was also made possible by a generous grant from the Research Foundation of the Professional Staff Congress of the City University of New York.

IHPBA Newsletter

IHPBA Newsletter

Update your knowledge and skills at the NFOG Helsinki Congress, June 12-15, 2004

Continuous medical education (CME) is mandatory for all those who want to be professionals in any branch of modern medicine. This demand focuses most strongly on obstetricians and gynecologists, or on those who would like to become such, because this speciality covers such a large field of expertise. For instance, one can hardly see anything in common between colleagues who treat infertility with modern assisted reproductive techniques and those who treat gynecologic cancer with an updated surgical approach and cytostatic regimens, or between colleagues who practice modern obstetrics with sophisticated fetal surveillance or those who treat menopausal complaints and consequences. Yet all obstetricians and gynecologists have a common rationale in promoting women's health. Our CME is a lifelong challenge for all of us. As gynecologists, we want to meet and treat our patients in a comprehensive way. Therefore, ambitious colleagues want to learn – and they should learn – what is new both in our field as a whole and within everyone's own subspeciality. This goal can best be reached in a congress that covers the most relevant topics for the whole area of obstetrics and gynecology. It is also vital for this branch of science that basic and clinical research are active; otherwise our speciality does not develop and progress. It is a huge challenge to organize a good congress that pleases all participants. Fortunately, we have received the full support of the board of the Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology (NFOG) as well as some economic funding. A number of pharmaceutical companies have also joined us to build a professional congress; their names can be found on our website:http://www.nfog2004.com. The final announcement and call for abstracts will be in November 2003. Abstracts and registrations will be processed electronically through our website, which also gives you the news on the latest progress in our scientific, social and sponsor programs. Please visit our website regularly to keep yourself updated regarding the Helsinki Congress 2004. A congress also provides an excellent opportunity for young scientists to present their new data to an audience that is highly appreciative of these contributions. The best presentations, both oral and poster, will be awarded each day. The 34th Congress of NFOG will take place in Helsinki, Finland on June 12–15, 2004. The scientific program will consist of the latest breakthroughs, from genes to newest treatments, and old dilemmas that have been explored through evidence-based medicine. I am positive that the program under preparation will please everyone who seeks CME regardless of their background. The official language will be English, along the lines introduced in the Umeå Congress 2002, as it allows full participation for our colleagues from non-Nordic countries. The Helsinki Congress has indeed aroused great interest outside of the Nordic countries, if judged by the number of visits to our website. The young also have a future in our field, and it was encouraging to see that in the Umeå Congress in 2002 young colleagues showed up in such large numbers. We trust they will also come to the Helsinki Congress in 2004. The social program will offer insights into Finnish culture, and it culminates in a festive banquet that will be conducted in the old Nordic style. See you in Helsinki!