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This year's ACFAS conference in Phoenix, Arizona (February 19-22, 2015) was a fun affair for this conference-goer. One of the activities of this particular conference I've always enjoyed has been their keynote speaker. During a previous year, they had Dr. Sigvard Hansen speak, and as it turns out it was only a few years before his retirement. This year's speaker was no less interesting.
 Dr David Newman, an emergency room physician, faculty member of Columbia University Medical School, and author of Hippocrates' Shadow provided a funny and thought-provoking conversation about the appropriate (and more commonly inappropriate) use of the medical evidence. This was a telling choice of speakers and says much about ACFAS itself with its ever-improving research quality. Dr. Newman provided a philosophical pivot point for the rest of the conference.
In year's past, the podiatric conferences I've attended were more often than not a long list of speakers providing their anecdotal experience, flashing up case after case of impressive surgical results (usually short term). The "in my hands" comment was annoyingly common. Personally, I hate this kind of statement. What good does it do me or my patients for something to work well in others' hands? I need it to work in my hands. This year's ACFAS conference was remarkably sparse of both the "in my hands" comment and the parade of anecdotal procedures. There were a few notable anecdotes, and interestingly in each case the speaker made mention of Dr. Newman, as if they were asking his forgiveness for violating modern evidence-based practice. Obviously, it'll take time for podiatry (and orthopedics for that matter) to catch up with much of the medical community and look for best evidence that all of us can use. Good job for trying ACFAS!
I also enjoyed the new Internet and smart phone technology employed at the conference. The highlight for me was the App that allowed attendees to look at the conference schedule, receive updates and reminders. I have to say I didn't particularly enjoy the 5 AM breakfast reminder, though I understand the organizers' wanting this option. This was the first conference that I did not need a paper program to know what was going on. I loved that hands-free option.
From a technology standpoint I would recommend to ACFAS that they make the lecturers' presentations and the poster contents available immediately during the conference. They should also consider note-taking options using their various technologies to make the conference a truly hands-free one. It's hard to relax and listen to the conference while trying to take paper notes on the important content.
Perhaps ACFAS might even consider a more interactive track in the future in which some portion of the presenter's lecture would be made available on phones and computers with real time responses from the audience. For example, I might be speaking on, say, hallux rigidus, and want to pole the audience on common practices. I could use a simple program to ask the audience for this information and receive immediate feedback. How vibrant would that be!
The most significant educational highlight of the conference was the preconference residency director's forum. This was a 4 hour intensive information session that covered a large variety of very pertinent information for those of us in residency training. Without getting into details, I can say the program was excellent, and I give ACFAS great big giant kudos for taking the initiative to help us with this. Very well done!
Outside of the regular conference proceedings, I had one unexpected unique personal experience. Prior to the conference, a good number of my students from Western University, as well as some of our prior graduates, now in their residencies, decided to come to the conference, despite the fact that ACFAS makes students pay for attendance.
 By the way, shame on you ACFAS for making students pay to attend the conference. Unfortunately, ACFAS isn't unique in this failure. Almost all of the conferences make students pay. The PRESENT Superbones, ResEd Summits and Desert Foot are a notable exception to this…they haven't charged anything for residents and students to attend their conferences for as long as I've known them. I have to say it's an absolute travesty that we do this to our young colleagues. The students are the future of our profession, and we should support them as much as possible. That should include free entry into ALL podiatric conferences. You'll recall these students are spending their financial aid money for admission plus whatever costs of travel and housing they incur. ACFAS charged students $175 for admission, which over the time of loan repayment becomes more like $350 or $525. I understand making them pay for food, housing, travel, and special conference events, but admission should be free. Support our students. And just in case you might think me a hypocrite, the Western University CPM faculty has previously paid for students to attend the Western Foot and Ankle Conference (since they don't let students in for free either).
 Anyway, toward the end of the conference, the students decided they wanted a picture of everyone together. So, there we were milling about after one of the lectures waiting to take our picture. In a moment of clarity, I took a look around at all of the people around me. We actually had students from all of our current four years as well as first and second year residents. In that moment, I saw right in front of me the legacy from the time I have been teaching (about 5 years now). It was wonderful to see all of these people I have helped teach to become doctors. I was a nice feeling to say the least.
With that pleasant thought, I'll leave you with a strong recommendation to attend next year's ACFAS conference in Austin, Texas. With a little luck, next year's conference organizers will conclude it's in their best interest to support our students.
Best wishes,
Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
PRESENT Practice Perfect Editor
[email protected]
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