How to Get the Most Out of a Conference; Upskill at Healthcare Events?

 

 

When we came across the 2020 Pubmed article 'How to get the most out of a Medical Conference and love it too!', it was an instant hit.

 

As a healthcare professional network that helps market, manage, and monitor healthcare events, this piece of work was right up our alley. Attending healthcare events, the best medical conferences, and moderating healthcare meetings is fun. But before you go, be SMART—always plan how to best digest and metabolize the wealth and breadth of the endless info that is about to come. If you don’t, medical conferences for doctors, dentists, nurses, and whatever it may be can remain a mere weekend getaway—fun, frolic, and futile. Stay with us as we discuss the top 5 tips on how to get the most out of a conference, including medical tips and tricks and how to get the most out of a meeting with a peer when attending. 

 

 

5 Unusual Ideas on How to Get The Most Out of a Conference in Healthcare

 

Dr Shetty B K (name changed) has been on our portal for 4 months. He has been on the lookout for hiring healthcare professionals on locum posts for a chain of corporate hospitals in the country. As a clinician, administrator, and now recruiter, he attends healthcare events often. While chatting with him the other day, this is what he said,

 

“I often come back from conferences feeling pumped & beaming of new ideas. But then I hit a wall: What was I actually planning to do? What did I learn that I wanted to implement? Within a couple of weeks, the excitement fades, and I forget my goals. To-do lists and detailed notes don't help—they either become gibberish or get ignored because I'm swamped with other tasks.”

 

We are sure this is relatable. No matter how much we master plan the modus operandi, with the best tips to help you get the most out of medical conferences from seniors, it is a struggle to stick to them. With that as the marrow, we will put some meat to the tips to get the most out of conferences in healthcare.

 

• Pre-conference Engagement

This is a great idea; similar to learning about the hosts before you attend a party. 

 

Take the initiative to reach out to speakers and key attendees through networking sites or via email. Send a brief, personalized message expressing your interest in their work and suggesting a casual meetup during the event, like grabbing coffee. This proactive approach sets you apart and opens the door for more meaningful connections. 

 

You can also join conference-related online groups or forums to start engaging with other attendees ahead of time. These early interactions can lead to more in-depth discussions during the event, ensuring you make the most of your networking opportunities.

 

 

• Take Notes the Right Way—Say Like a To-do Alarm

During the conference, take notes in a column format or Excel (only the key takeaways)! Instead of just jotting down what’s said, write down specific tasks you want to complete based on the takeaways. 

 

Revisit the tasks 7 days later. Use your phone to set reminders for these tasks, turning your notes into a series of actionable to-dos. For example, if a speaker mentions a useful tool, set a reminder to research and test it out. This method ensures you follow through on your ideas and helps integrate new knowledge into your daily routine.

 

 

• Guerilla Networking

Look beyond the official networking events and seek out more informal, less structured opportunities to connect with fellow attendees. 

 

Attend peripheral activities like morning yoga sessions, coffee breaks, or evening after-parties. These settings provide a relaxed environment where conversations can flow more naturally. Strike up a conversation by commenting on the session you both attended or by sharing a personal anecdote. The informal setting often makes it easier to build genuine connections that can lead to lasting professional relationships.

 

 

• Hidden Session Hunts

Don’t just stick to the MOST POPULAR sessions ONLY; everyone’s attending that. Explore smaller, less publicized workshops or breakout sessions too! 

 

These intimate settings often provide deeper, more interactive discussions and unique insights. Check the full schedule and look for topics that pique your interest but might not be on the main stage. Engage actively—ask questions and participate in discussions. This not only helps you gain unique perspectives but also makes you more memorable to the speakers and fellow attendees.

 

 

• Live MicroBlogging

During sessions, use online platforms to share live updates, key takeaways, and personal insights. Microblogging, a real-time engagement tactic, helps reinforce your learning and positions you as an engaged participant. Use hashtags related to the conference to connect with other attendees and to increase your posts' visibility. 

 

Once you are back, comment on others' posts and share their insights related to the event. This truly reinforces new connections and discussions that extend beyond the conference, enhancing your professional network.

 

The Anastomos Contribution to How to Get The Most Out of a Conference in Healthcare

 

The In-And-Around, a special section of ANASTOMOS' platform, offers a comprehensive approach to attending, managing, and marketing the largest healthcare events to a targeted audience. We help conference hosts engage and monitor their attendees. 

 

We helped Dr Shetty B K choose validated, filtered, and tailored conferences. Our dedicated networking sections, Pin-Up and Directory & Messaging are game changers in pre and post-conference networking, building relationships with retainer clients, and strategizing. We can help you too. 

 

The FOUNDERS and Professionals at ANASTOMOS are healthcare professionals themselves. All of us in the house have been attendees, organizers, speakers, and trainers at healthcare meets at some point in life. So we know how both ends of the line meet the best in the healthcare industry?

 

In addition, we have an EXTENSIVE NETWORK of healthcare professionals in India and abroad, making outreach easy. 

 

Are you planning your calendar for the upcoming healthcare events? 

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