In this sixth article from the British Cardiovascular Society (BCS), Dr Sarah Clarke, BCS Vice-President Education & Research, writes about this year’s Annual Conference and plans for the year ahead.
The British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) and its Affiliated Groups (AGs) are uniquely placed to coordinate and deliver high quality education for cardiology trainees, trained cardiologists and allied professionals. It provides education through a variety of sources.
2011 BCS Annual Conference
Despite many national and international congresses seeing a downturn in the number of delegates attending, the 2011 BCS Annual Conference, held in Manchester on June 13th–15th, saw a record number of registrations for what was one of the best conferences to date. This year saw a complete overhaul of the programme with the introduction of five ‘tracks’.
Education for Revalidation Track: This track will cover areas defined by the cardiology curriculum over a three to five year cycle. Each session will have an online formative assessment, which on completion provides members with certification for revalidation portfolios.
Clinical/Translational Science Track or Innovations Track: We are grateful for the support by the British Heart Foundation for this track. They also supported the linked British Atherosclerosis Society/British Society for Cardiovascular Research meeting, which formed the Basic Science Track. This year abstracts were incorporated into the programme with discussants after each session. Together with the Young Research Workers Prize and Michael Davies Award, this track showcases the best and latest in cardiovascular research. Congratulations to all prize winners.
Imaging Track: This covered areas of imaging as they integrate into cardiovascular medicine.
Affiliated Groups Track: We were delighted that the affiliated groups embraced the new format of this year’s programme contributing not only to their track but also to the programme in general.
The National Training Day, incorporated into the meeting, highlighted the less well covered areas in the cardiology curriculum for trainees. Together with the Education for Revalidation Track and ever-popular simulator sessions in the Exhibition, trainees were well catered for.
Two excellent international guest lectures were given at the conference this year. Dr David Sahn gave the Paul Wood Lecture entitled ‘Improved understanding of cardiac form and function – how the development of the heart continues to influence heart function’. The Strickland Goodall Lecture entitled ‘Re-engineering regenerative cardiovascular medicine. Towards heart stem cell therapeutics’ was given by Professor Kenneth Chien.
Despite the recession, exhibition space at the conference was completely sold out. Thank you to all our exhibitors for supporting our meeting and the education of our members.
For those not able to attend the meeting, and for those who missed some sessions, there are session reports and webcasts of the majority of sessions available to members at www.bcs.com.
As we look to the 2012 Annual Conference, my first Conference as Chair of the Programme Committee, please let me know if you have any ideas on how we might improve the conference further at [email protected].
Thanks
Organisation of the 2011 meeting was the responsibility of the Programme Committee, chaired by Dr Iain Simpson, to whom we are all indebted for producing an excellent meeting this year. We also thank the team at the Society offices in Fitzroy Square. Their support in helping deliver the meeting is invaluable. The Communication and Education Committee together with numerous trainees coordinated the online conference reports and webcasts. The Committee also coordinates the BCS website and educational courses throughout the year. Thanks to all for their hard work.
BCS Educational Courses
The BCS provides numerous other educational courses in addition to the Annual Conference. The following are scheduled for the coming year at the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), London.
2011
BCS & Mayo Clinic ‘Cases, Controversies and Updates’ 26th–28th September
An in-depth look at difficult cases, current controversies and latest updates in cardiovascular medicine
BCS & RCP Cardiology Update 11th October
For all Cardiologists, GPs or Practitioners with an interest in cardiology. Visit the RCP website to register for this course www.rcplondon.ac.uk
National Training Day 28th November
For trainees only
A Year in Cardiology 2011 14th December
Hot topics of the year for all cardiologists and trainees.
2012
A Career in Cardiology 17th February
Covering the ST3 selection process from application form to interview. A must for any doctor wishing to pursue cardiology as a career.
BCS & Mayo Clinic Cardiology Review Course 19th–23rd March
Overview of cardiology based on the curriculum. Suitable for both trainees and trained cardiologists.
Research in Cardiology – What, why, when, how? 27th April
Essential for all trainees and those wishing to conduct Postgraduate Research in cardiovascular medicine
BCS Annual Conference 2012 20th–30th May, Manchester
We look forward to seeing you next year
