The AAO Annual Meeting: Pearls for the Return visits

by Jordan M. Graff, MD
Iowa City, Iowa

Perhaps your first experience at The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Annual Meeting was last year in Las Vegas. Perhaps it was the year before in Chicago. Or maybe it’s been a few years since you first went to the Academy meeting as a resident and you’re just making it back. You couldn’t have chosen a more exciting time; both because of the amazing advances taking place in many aspects of our field and because of the engaging experience that New Orleans is sure to be.

You are no longer a “rookie” to the Academy meeting experience. But that will only take the edge off of the almost overwhelming amount of information and sensory stimulus that awaits you. You haven’t forgot the endless rows of posters, the dozens of lecture options for seemingly every half-hour of every day, and tent after tent of industry innovation. Being organized heading into the meeting is as equally valuable to you this time around.

May I suggest the following key points as you prepare to return to the Academy:

· Organize your personal itinerary

The method of organization that you choose really doesn’t matter. Whether you choose to print out a collection of pages from the website, highlight the events of your choice in the printed schedule, or create a separate document is up to you. Remember that you will need to schedule time for activities that aren’t specifically in the program if you intend to have a business meeting, reconnect with old friends, or schedule a job interview. At this point, you’ve likely already signed up for the majority of the lectures, round tables, and courses you’d like to take. But in the final weeks as you refine your plans, I’ll remind you of a few types of events that you want to be sure are on your schedule:

· Attend at least one marquee meeting or lecture

This could be in any topic and there are several from which to choose. There are several named lectures with exceptional physicians who are leaders and innovators in our field. Pick the one lecture that you’ll want to attend just for the experience.

· Select several lectures on topics in your specific field of interest

I realize that this may sound obvious. However, as you discovered when you went to the Academy meeting your first time, it is easy to get distracted. Find those lectures that will be the most applicable directly to your practice. You want to walk out of the lecture with notes on specific ideas for improving your practice. Better yet, you want to have been inspired to write down a list of patients that came to mind during the lecture because you realized some way that you could improve care in a difficult case. The entire meeting itinerary may be found online at: http://www.aao.org/meetings/annual_meeting/program/onlineprogram07.cfm

· Select one lecture in something outside your area of special interest

This is an exciting time in the field of ophthalmology. Like the skiing class I took in college in the midst of an 18 credit hour pre-med load, that intriguing break can be refreshing. Additionally, research in another sub-specialty may trigger a thought process for a unique application of similar knowledge in your own research. If you are a corneal surgeon, consider a lecture on the advances in anti-VEGF therapy. If you are a retina specialist, you may relax and listen to just one lecture about the new techniques of endothelial transplantation. You never know when inspiration will strike.

· Consider one skills course

For many first-timers at the Academy meeting, the skills-improvement courses were extremely valuable. At this point in your career, you might want to consider a single high-yield course. Consider refining your skills in lamellar keratoplasty, reviewing micro-incision phacoemulsification, or expanding your exposure to glaucoma surgery. Often, the instructors to the best lab courses have made some intimate contribution to the field. Their unique perspective can be valuable.

· Stay connected with rising contributors

Most of us returning to the Academy meeting for your second time are certainly still part of the Young Ophthalmologists, which invites the participation of all ophthalmologists-in-training and in their first five years of practice. If you went to some of the YO activities the first time, stay involved. And if you missed your chance to become involved the first time around, be sure to go to some of the activities specifically designed with you in mind.
http://www.aao.org/yo/newsletter/200710/article05.cfm

· Schedule poster time

There are some who will disagree with this suggestion. Indeed, there are personalities who actually find meandering through the rows of posters looking for something to catch their eye intriguing or even relaxing. But you will get much more out of the opportunity if you set aside a specific time when the posters of greatest interest to you are on display. I recommend making a note of a few specific posters and making it a point to see them. Of course, by now, you may have a poster or two of your own to discuss, as well.

· Join your alumni meeting

Take time to reconnect with your former mentors, catch up on the news at your program, and enjoy the camaraderie with alumni from your program(s). A full listing of alumni gatherings is listed on the AAO meeting website:

http://www.aao.org/meetings/annual_meeting/upload/Alumni-Related-Groups-10-15-07.pdf

· Job fair or interviews, if applicable

Depending on the stage of your career, your second trip to the Academy meeting may be the time that you’re seeking for a job. The Professional Choices Job Fair is in its fifth year and proves to be a wonderful resource for the young ophthalmologist. More information can be found at: http://www.aao.org/meetings/annual_meeting/events.cfm#jobfair
You may also have the opportunity to arrange some meetings with potential employers or partners. In this edition of Pearls, you’ll find tips on maximizing this experience.

Welcome back to the Academy meeting! This second time to the event, you should feel more comfortable and know what to expect. If you remember to plan for a productive and fun experience, you can maximize what you glean from this return visit to the Academy.