Getting the Most Out of the APA Meeting: A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way

It’s finally spring, and conference season is in full swing. With the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Annual Meeting next week, here are a few reflections on preparing for the APA and the pros and cons of different types of psychiatry conferences. 

The APA attracts over 10,000 attendees from all over the globe. When I first attended the APA as a medical student, I had no idea of its magnitude until the San Diego Conference Center came into view on that first morning. My jaw dropped open at the sheer size and spectacle! 

The array of sessions and events at the APA can be dizzying. It is therefore essential to have a plan, and perhaps a goal or two in mind. You may want to address some specific learning issues, such as understanding bipolar disorder better or managing peripartum depression.  You might also have some networking goals: to reunite with past classmates and colleagues, for example, or participate in organized psychiatry. 

For such a large conference, perusing the catalog in advance and making a tentative schedule is essential.  (There’s even a mobile app that can help.)  It’s also a good idea to look for some smaller events to attend, to avoid getting lost in the crowd.  There are some excellent offerings for residents and fellows (and early career psychiatrists),  including a Facebook group to help everyone communicate. 

One nice thing about the APA is the possibility to explore unusual topics or connect with folks who share highly specialized interests. The APA features an annual art exhibition, for example, and in the past I’ve attended small sessions on psychiatrists as writers and psychiatry in social media. 

Regardless of your strategy, it is impossible to see and do everything.  Resist the urge to try!  Make time for some fun, whether that means taking in some tourism, seeing an art museum, or sampling the best local ice cream. 

Of course, there are many different types of conferences out there. 

Less-big – we’ll call them “medium size” conferences - on general psychiatry bring the advantages of a clinical orientation and more coherent curriculum.  I haven’t attended a meeting like this before, but the U.S. Psychiatric and Mental Health Congress, the APA Institute on Psychiatric Services, and the Current Psychiatry annual meeting all seem to fit the bill.  (Disclaimer: I write this blog for US Psych Congress.)  These events advertise a digestible and relevant experience, and they usually include poster sessions too.  As an added bonus, you don’t have to run from place to place, as all the offerings are contained within a smaller, more convenient area. 

To me, a “small” conference is one attended by just a few hundred people, usually addressing a specific topic. I had the opportunity to attend a CME conference recently on Psychiatry in Medical Settings, for example, and I found this experience to be quite educational and interesting. I also enjoyed the smaller setting, which permitted becoming acquainted with some of the participants and presenters. 

Though not too common, there is also a fourth category, the “very small” meeting.  Often billed as “retreats,” these events are personal and interactive.  Retreats are likely to be in a beautiful setting and with a very focused topic. For physicians (but not specifically psychiatrists), I found offerings online on topics such as mindfulness and resilience. and writing for healthcare professionals. 

What are your thoughts on how to make the most of meetings and conferences?

Leigh Jennings, MD, is a senior psychiatry resident in the Department of Neurology and Psychiatry at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

The views expressed on this blog are solely those of the blog post author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Psych Congress Network or other Psych Congress Network authors. Blog entries are not medical advice.