2018 Latin American Critical Care Conference
Join the ATS, the Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia (BTS), and Asociacón Latinoamericana de Tórax (ALAT) for the 2018 Latin American Critical Care Conference. Titled “Treatment of the Acutely Decompensating Patient: Best Practices for Mechanical Ventilation,” the conference, which is now in its second year, will take place this September in São Paulo, Brazil.
The annual ATS International Conference is a rich and diverse event that highlights cutting edge research and best practices. Its magnitude and the diversity of the topics covered are among the qualities that make it such a popular and important event in the pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine community. In contrast, the 2018 Latin American Critical Care Conference is significantly smaller and specifically focused on critical care. These differences from the international conference make attendance a particularly unique and important opportunity.
The purpose of the conference is to bring critical care expertise from throughout the three sister societies into one space to address the challenges facing critical care practitioners in Latin America, and to support the development of a community among critical care physicians throughout BTS, ALAT, and the ATS. Though all three societies share the same overarching mission to improve patient care, the focus of each society varies slightly. By coming together, the three groups can affect change on a broader scale.
One of the great strengths of a combined conference is that none of the three societies could meet this need on their own, and the advantages collaboration offers go beyond expertise. By pooling educational and financial resources, the ATS, ALAT, and BTS can help to improve the educational opportunities for critical care physicians in Latin America. Each Society brings particular complementary strengths, both to the critical care conference, and also to the members of the other societies. The ATS, for example, offers resources such as accessible educational online modules, and journals. BTS has a strong presence in the critical care community in Brazil, and ALAT has a solid membership base throughout Latin America. Each brings a different perspective and insights into how to deliver care in resource limited areas, as well as within areas of disease expertise, as the prevalence of certain diseases differs between North and South America.
Membership in more than one of the societies is also encouraged.Beyond this conference, the discounted registration for meetings and the opportunities for networking and collaboration throughout the year are great reasons for members of ALAT and BTS to become members of the ATS. Similarly, for clinicians practicing in resource challenged areas or for those who have an interest in critical care, clinical research, or educational programs in Latin America, having an ALAT or BTS membership in addition to membership in ATS can provide access to unique support and opportunities for research.
Even with the attendance of three societies, the specificity of the subject matter will yield a smaller group, and thus a greater opportunity for interaction between attendees and speakers. To further support this community-building opportunity, participation is encouraged in Spanish, English, and Portuguese. Interpreters will be available to facilitate communication between presenters and attendees.
Just as with the International Conference, there is no substitute to meeting in person. The sense of community that is fostered by being in the same room and across the table from one another creates a special opportunity for practitioners to learn from each other in their quest to improve patient care. It also proves a space for researchers to discuss and develop new ideas for future study. The collaborations that can flourish there far exceed those which can be created via a video or podcast.
Information about registration is available on the website. Resources to assist with travel and accommodation are also available.
