10 Reasons to attend European Respiratory Society Congress, Munich 2014

Dear friends,

as you may already know the European Respiratory Society Annual Congress will take place in Munich, 6-10 September 2014.

You have not decided yet whether you’ll be there or not?

So we have outlined 10 reasons why one would take part in the event this year.

1. Scientific and Educational Programmes

Tight schedule of programmes may attract your attention due to a high variety of postgraduate courses on different respiratory themes: Interventional Pulmonology, Update of phenotypes of asthma and COPD, evidence-based approach to advanced respiratory care, Treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea, etc. Informative and interactive lectures may be very useful for your research, while participating in workshops would allow you to follow the discussion and share your opinion, which is not the least important argument. „Meet the Professor” seminars are elaborated for those interested in the exchange of ideas with leading experts in the respiratory field.

2. Personal Presentation

That would be too simple to attend the Congress and not to express yourself. That is why the next reason is sharing your work, be it a poster, or e-presentation. Probably not everyday we have an opportunity to show the results of our work and to get a feedback at the international Congress of the same level.

3. Healthy Lungs for Life

Healthy Lungs for Life is one of the largest ever lung health campaigns, raising awareness of the importance of healthy lungs to healthcare professionals, scientists, primary care, patients, policy makers and the public through a full range of events, projects and promotional activities. In 2014, the theme is "Breathe clean air".

4. Meet colleagues and friends

Being a part of community united for several days by a common aim – speak about respiratory diseases is also a great chance to meet colleagues and friends. Every year thousands of people attend the congress, and for sure one can get acquainted with interesting people or merely see old friends.

5. Press conferences

Press conferences is another point that may draw your attention if you are a mass media representative. Attending the conferences, gathering information, listening leaders of opinion in respiratory care and asking questions may be very useful for those who want to promote lung health worldwide.

6. HERMES examination

You can take HERMES examination in adult or paediatric respiratory medicine which was created for trainees and specialists interested in knowledge assessment according to European standards. Successful completion of the examination leads to European Diploma in Respiratory Medicine and permits be part of the HERMES Diplomates Club.

7. Respiratory Championship session  

Come and join our 4 teams representing Germany, Greece, Malta and Poland who are competing to be the Champions of Respiratory Medicine. 

Sunday, 7 September 13:15 - 14:15 (Room 4 - ICM)

The quiz master will present illustrated cases (including x-rays, lung function and laboratory results, pathological slides, etc.) that focus on various fields of respiratory medicine.

The session provides a state of the art review and updates on recent advances in major areas of respiratory medicine – an ideal preparation for those preparing the HERMES examination, or for anyone interested in challenging their knowledge and expertise.

8. Exhibition

There is an activity one would like to accomplish between attending the courses and presenting the posters. Namely visiting the exhibition of world-known pharmaceutical and engineering companies, medical bookshops and technological corporations that generously offer information, materials, equipment and create a special atmosphere of international collaboration.

9. Patient Forum ELF/ERS session:'Improving CPAP and NIV - a user perspective'

The session will explore how professionals can improve their practice and healthcare outcomes by listening to the patients’ experience. Too frequently, professional prescribing CPAP and NIV are unaware of the realities of using CPAP and practical issues experienced by patients. Many of these difficulties can be addressed through open professional-patient dialogue, and adjustments to the apparatus.

10. Munich

And finally who would stay at ERS Congress round the clock? Certainly you would like to see the Munich in all its’ autumn beauty. Therefore there would defenitely be time for city tours, excursions through historic centre with all its sights.

 by Mila Corlateanu