Letters to the Editor

Indian Pediatrics 2002; 39:699

Annual Conferences of the IAP

No one should join issue with Dr. Srivastava when he asserts that "there can be absolutely no defense if the arrangements for the scientific sessions are inadequate"(1). After all, what use is a big Conference if a large number of delegates are to return home without academic satisfaction? Last year, we conducted an internet study under the aegis of Pediatric Communication Network. Only 20% respondents described the scientific content of a preceding national conference as "satisfactory" whereas such a response in case of "fun and frolic" was as high as 62%. To the question regarding organizational arrangements, only 23% appeared to be contented. Undoubtedly, these observations appeared at significant variance with the impression (quite euphoric indeed!) projected during the valedictory/concluding ceremony of the said Conference.

Dr. Agrawal has highlighted the issue of sponsorship of the conferences as well as the delegates for the national conferences and its fallout (2). In 1999, during the course of the 5th International Congress of Pediatrics and the 36th IAPCON, held in Jaipur, I had taken up this issue with many a senior pediatricians, including the late Prof. P. M. Udani. Notably, an overwhelming majority did not favor abolishing this practice. On the contrary, virtually all junior participants, including postgraduates, opposed the practice. Un-doubtedly, this problem needs to be seriously debated.

All the same, I am in agreement with Dr. Agrawal that a CME can be organized without a sponsorship. But, my agreement is conditional. The rider is that the organizers pay less attention to extravaganza, neither should the delegates expect it.

I endorse Dr. Agrawal’s suggestion to stop expenses on costly Conference brochures and bank on a pull out in the Indian Pediatrics as the means of communication. The services of Academy Today, IAP Journal of Practical Pediatrics and other reputed pediatric journals like the Indian Journal of Pediatrics may also be availed of in this context.

Suraj Gupte,

E-mail: [email protected]

References

1. Srivastava RN. Viewpoints: XXXIX annual conference of IAP. Indian Pediatr 2002; 39: 444-445.

2. Agrawal S. Viewpoints: Pharmaceutical industry and sponsorship of delegates for national conferences. Indian Pediatr 2002; 39: 445-448.