I don’t know how everyone got so confused about this issue, so I thought I
might chip in my two cents worth.
As chairman of the clinical sessions program, it is my job to sort through the
abstracts for presentations received and, based on the information provided,
select the presentations that will most likely provide the highest quality of
clinical information for the attendees. Manufacturers are certainly not
targeted to be excluded from this format.
Obviously, manufacturers are an integral part of the profession and the
valuable knowledge they bring to the table is very much appreciated by
practitioners everywhere. Education about the use of manufacturers’ products
is extremely important and the Technical Workshop sessions of the Annual
meetings have typically served as the learning environment for this kind of
information. Workshops are designed to provide a more intimate atmosphere,
where questions can be asked and answered freely and products fondled as part
of the workshop.
Information about products from a clinical point of view is also needed
especially in the areas of clinical outcomes, usage criteria, indications and
contra-indications. But abstracts in these areas are fairly rare.
The Academy leadership, and especially committee chairs, are always open to
hearing what you, the members, want to see at our educational meetings. Please
feel free to contact me by email ([email protected]) or by phone (315/476-3831)
if you have questions about the content being planned for the Assembly
program.
Thank you very much.
Stephanie Langdon-Bash, CPO, FAAOP
AOPA Assembly Scientific Program Committee Chair
