The American College of Chest Physicians held its national conference in person for the first time in three years in Nashville, Tennessee, an energetic young town with music on every corner. The meeting was well structured, with multiple topics on pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. The opening keynote speaker, Neil Pasricha, broached the topic of happiness by asking participants to not think about happiness but to take steps towards achieving it. The opening reception was well received, with Sister Hazel performing, line dancing opportunities, and Nashville's famous hot chicken. Recognizing the long toll COVID-19 has taken on pulmonary and critical care clinicians, wellness events were woven throughout the conference, including therapy dogs and massage therapists.
There were many postgraduate sessions before the official start of the conference. I attended the Educator Development Post Graduate Course, an interactive course focusing on how to be a better educator. Topics such as how to give an interactive and engaging lecture, goals and objectives, and how to give feedback were covered with a focus on small group activities. These sessions allow for an in-depth and focused exploration of topics.
Over 300 educational sessions focused on a broad range of hot topics, such as perioperative sleep-disordered breathing, pulmonary disease in pregnancy, intratumoral therapies in lung cancer, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Health care disparities, diversity, equity, and inclusion were also addressed. Traditional literature reviews were available. Not only was information delivered in didactic sessions but other formats as well. Pardon the Interruption debate sessions allowed for an interactive and fun review of controversial topics. Pro/con debates covered issues such as controversies in pneumonia, inpatient diagnoses of OSA, and fluid resuscitation in sepsis. Meet the Professor opportunities for a fee provided expert advice on sepsis, central sleep apnea, lung transplantation, and ARDS were available. The exhibit hall housed two escape rooms and simulation activities. Additionally, numerous poster presentations displayed the depth and range of research nationally. The conference also provided the opportunity to network with other clinicians.
Simulation sessions were also available for an extra fee. I attended Essential Skills for Ultrasound Guided Critical Care Procedures, which had a 4:1 faculty-to-student ratio. I could practice subclavian lines, thoracentesis, and paracentesis on mannequins and an ultrasound of a live model. I also attended the Advanced Critical Care Echocardiography Image Acquisition and Image Interpretation. In groups ranging from 1:2- 1:3 instructor-to-student ratio, I was able to work on advanced echocardiography image acquisition. The discussion session used a case-based format to explore how advanced echocardiography can assist in your ability to diagnose and manage critically ill patients.
The conference was well attended and well run. Topics were presented in a variety of different manners to allow for different learning styles as well as the opportunity to have fun. The city of Nashville abounded with the sounds of country music and hot chicken. CHEST 2022, the return to in-person conferences, was an energetic success.
Dr. Kanaan is employed by the University of Connecticut Health Center and has no conflicts of interest to report.
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