Meet the Challenge

Margaret M. Parker, MD, FCCM
If your ICU is anything like mine, it is very easy to get swept up in the clinical care and administrative issues that require constant attention. With so many demands on your time and energy, you probably ask yourself: Why should I go to SCCM’s Congress in Phoenix ? How can I justify taking the time away from my practice?

I went to my first SCCM Congress in 1982 and haven’t missed one since. There have certainly been years when I questioned how I could afford to take the time to go. The answer is always the same: How can I afford not to go? There is so much of value at every Congress, and this year’s Congress in Phoenix is no exception. It will certainly provide a wealth of opportunities to improve your ICU, your practice and your professional life.

The most obvious reason to attend Congress is the outstanding educational program. All aspects of critical care—from clinical, to basic science, to administrative issues—will be covered. The Program Committee has put together a balanced program so that every critical care practitioner will be able to find many sessions of interest. In his 2003 presidential address, Dr. Timothy Buchman challenged everyone to make one change to improve care in his or her ICU. Today, I repeat that challenge: Come and learn something new that you can take back and apply to your patients or your unit. Another great reason to attend the SCCM Congress is the opportunity for networking. Spending time with other critical care professionals provides different perspectives on clinical issues, a potential for collaborative research, opportunities to exchange information on administrative or billing concerns, and the chance to spend time with old friends and to meet new ones. Networking allows more experienced critical care professionals to encourage colleagues who may be new to critical care or to SCCM. Spending time with friends and colleagues at Congress refreshes and energizes me so that I return home with an ever-stronger commitment to improving care for my critically ill patients.

For those who participate in research, the SCCM Congress provides an unparalleled opportunity to present your work to a diverse audience of critical care professionals. The presence of all of the members of the critical care team at Congress gives the unique chance for feedback from a variety of disciplines on the work that you are presenting. The presentation of research from all aspects of critical care also gives the non-researcher the ability to see what is going on in expanding our knowledge in critical care, whether the interest is in clinical, basic science or in administrative advances.

Often, critical care practitioners are not aware of the many ongoing activities and projects of SCCM. Our various committees, task forces and work groups meet during Congress. These sessions give you a chance to find out what’s going on in SCCM and to participate in some projects. For those who want to become more involved in SCCM, and those who want professional advancement, Congress is the place to begin. hether you participate through your section, your chapter, a particular group or committee, or the College, you will be able to get information at SCCM Central in the Exhibit Hall, from the program brochure, or from SCCM leaders or staff at Congress. Getting to know the people who are active in the Society establishes contacts for continuing your involvement when you get back home.

SCCM is dedicated to ensuring that all patients get the Right Care, Right Now™, delivered by an integrated team of dedicated experts. The 2005 Congress in Phoenix will give you the tools you need to make that happen.