SVS members offered their thoughts and recommendations about the Vascular Annual Meeting in several different formats. And those who plan VAM listened, to build on the success of previous years and create a meeting that every member of the vascular team can envision attending.
The 2018 Vascular Annual Meeting incorporates a number of recommendations offered in "person-on-the-street" interviews held during VAM 2017, written evaluations and a survey. VAM 2018, "Home of the Vascular Team – Partners in Patient Care," will be June 20-23 in Boston, with scientific sessions June 21-23 and exhibits June 21-22. Registration and housing will open in early March.
In compiling responses, several themes emerged, said SVS Program Committee Chair Matt Eagleton, M.D. "We are a complex specialty and, as such, we need a complex program that addresses multiple audiences and disciplines," he said.Requests – and inclusions for 2018 – include:
- Opportunities for audiences in small groups to engage with presenters
- Scientific sessions that emphasize not just the science but also the translational value of abstracts
- Programming spread throughout all four days of VAM, particularly on Saturday, to reduce session overlap
- Programming of interest to all surgeons, whether they work in academia, a hospital setting or in private practice
- Emphasizing the vascular team: This not only was requested by participants but also is a top strategic priority for SVS President Dr. R. Clement Darling III. The Vascular Quality Initiative and the Society for Vascular Nursing will hold their annual meetings in conjunction with VAM and programming will be offered for all members of the vascular team, including physician assistants, vascular nurses, nurse assistants and technologists.
- Content for specific needs: "Those in academic or hospital settings want discussions on cutting-edge vascular developments and techniques," said Dr. Eagleton. "Private practitioners need the applicability of what they learn, information they can take home and implement in their daily practices, related to clinical practice guidelines, contracts, billing and coding and ‘How I Do It’ approaches. Our young surgeons, meanwhile, want to expand their knowledge base and practically apply research, particularly related to major trials and outcomes tracking, and technical content.
"We listened to you," said Dr. Eagleton. "Come and be a part of this year’s VAM."