There are many reasons to attend medical conferences: for continuing education credits, to present a project, to network with colleagues, or to catch up with old friends. If nothing else, you may be ensuring your work benefits such as CME time and dollars do not go to waste. Whatever your reason for attending a conference, you are using your precious time — and thus making the most of your experience is imperative.
Over the last few years, I have attended more than a dozen medical conferences across the nation. I have done so in almost every capacity: from the standpoint of being a general attendee to presenting new research to being involved in societal leadership. Along the way, I have learned several lessons that help me fulfill my purpose for attending a conference — whether that purpose was to attain new information, make networking connections, carry out leadership responsibilities, or a combination of all three. Below, I share the most important lessons learned so far.
1) Plan Your Schedule in Advance
As with most things in life, a little planning beforehand can make a world of difference. This is true of attending conferences in medicine as well. At a minimum, you need to know what attire you should bring for the weather and level of formality. Beyond this, it is very helpful to review the agenda for the conference and choose which lectures are most intriguing to you. While many conferences will have lectures running all day for the entirety of the conference, I would encourage you to not think that you have to attend every one. Attending a conference shouldn’t mirror our preclinical years in medical school and make us feel like we are sitting through a full day of lectures. Instead, it should be both professionally productive and personally fulfilling. To achieve this goal, plan a handful of lectures you will attend throughout the conference based on your interests and be sure to mark them down on your schedule.
2) Take Advantage of Social Events to Network
For many people, the most anxiety-producing part of attending a conference is networking, based solely on the social factors. It is very easy to give in to this feeling and choose not to attend social events at conferences, but doing so will undoubtedly hinder your experience.
Fortunately, most conferences provide built-in networking opportunities. These include free lunches, dinners or appetizers, and drink mixers. Events like these offer an easy way to strike up a conversation with colleagues in a relaxed, communal environment.
For most people, not knowing anyone else at the conference can deter them from being social. But I promise you, you won’t be the only one in this boat. Most people are just waiting for someone to talk to. So, don’t be afraid to say hello to whoever’s in front of you in line or to sit at a table where you don’t know anyone else. A smile and an introduction can go a long way, and you never know who you will meet. The person beside you at lunch could very easily be your next employer, business partner, research partner, or perhaps more likely, someone who will introduce you to that next person. This possibility alone, the possibility to further advance your career or at a minimum have a good conversation and meet a nice acquaintance, is reason enough to push past any social anxiety that may be present.
One final word of advice: If you can, try to share each meal with someone else to maximize your networking opportunities in a way that doesn’t feel forced or pressured. Remember: Stepping out of your shell doesn’t have to be awkward — it can be incredibly rewarding.
3) Remember to Enjoy Your Surroundings
Finally, be sure to leave some time in your conference schedule for personal time. This is especially important if your family or significant other is accompanying you to the conference. Take advantage of the opportunity to travel to a new place by leaving ample time in your schedule for exploring the city or just connecting with your companions.
Additionally, networking and attending lectures are more exhausting than you may think. If you don’t schedule any free time in your agenda, you will likely return home without any sense of rejuvenation. However, if you bake time for rest and relaxation into your schedule, in addition to your taking in new medical content and networking with other attendees, you will be able to achieve the enviable combination of both being productive and feeling recharged.
I leave you with this: We will all attend a medical conference at some point in our careers, and many of us will do so frequently. Conferences should be viewed as incredible opportunities to make professional and personal connections while furthering our education. If we view conferences simply as something we have to do to obtain CME, we are unlikely to get the full benefit from them. Attending conferences can be exhausting, but they can be extremely rewarding as well. Taking the steps above will help you get the most out of your conference experience and ensure your time is well spent.
What has been your most memorable conference experience? Share in the comments!
Dr. Del Carter is a family medicine resident physician in Tallahassee, FL. He enjoys traveling, watching sports, working on cars, and spending time with friends and family. Dr. Carter is a 2024–2025 Doximity Op-Med Fellow.
Image by DrAfter123 / GettyImages
