The work of a medical device trading company (dealer): The purpose and utilization of attending academic conferences.

In the medical field, academic conferences on various topics are held throughout the year.
They are held on a variety of scales, from large, major academic conferences to specialized events focused on specific fields.
While academic conferences are primarily for doctors and manufacturers, medical device dealers sometimes participate as well.
I've attended various academic conferences over the years, but I've finally established my own method for navigating them.
This time, I'd like to briefly introduce the purpose of participation and how to utilize it.

Purpose of attending the conference

Gathering information on new products

The most straightforward objective for a dealer is thisGathering information on new productsThat's the point.
Sponsored luncheon seminars (lectures with lunch provided) sometimes feature presentations on newly released products.
Of course, sponsored speeches tend to include a lot of information that is favorable to the sponsor, so it's important not to take everything at face value.

Furthermore, various products are being showcased at the company booths.
If you have acquaintances at a manufacturer, you can learn more deeply by exchanging information about products that you wouldn't normally do.
However, since company booths generally want to cater to doctors, visiting them at a time when they seem busy may be met with annoyance.

Doctor's escort

When doctors from the hospitals I'm in charge of attend conferences, I sometimes accompany them and help them out (by providing hospitality).
I haven't personally experienced this, but I have seen bosses and colleagues who have done so.
If you're on good terms with the doctor, it seems that you might even go out for drinks with the manufacturer in the evening.
I think this objective is only feasible with someone with whom you already have a certain level of relationship.

Attending the presentation

Personally, I feel that listening to these presentations is a valuable experience that can only be had at academic conferences.
This is an opportunity to hear about the doctor's "thinking process," such as what they consider when deciding on a treatment plan.
This is a chance to get a glimpse into what's going on inside a doctor's head, something they don't usually show when talking to contractors.
Because it's a forum for doctors in the same specialty, you can hear honest opinions that you wouldn't otherwise hear.

Check the program in advance and mark the presentations that interest you.
If there's nothing that interests you, it's perfectly fine to sit down and take a break in a corner of the venue, preferably a large one.
Also, if you come across an interesting doctor during a lecture, it's a good idea to follow up and attend their lectures as well.
You can visit the company booths during your free time, such as when there are no presentations you're interested in attending.

Let's try to absorb as much information as possible to understand what's trending in the industry right now and what people are looking for.
You'll likely encounter unfamiliar abbreviations and terms, but if you take the time to write them down and understand their meaning, it will definitely improve your knowledge level.

How to utilize academic societies

Unless you're paying for it yourself, the cost of attending the conference should be covered by your company.
Therefore, the information gained at academic conferences must be shared with the company.
Most companies will likely create something like a report.
Here, I will write about how to make the most of the information gained at academic conferences.

Sharing information about new products

Information about new products and other topics discussed at academic conferences you attend should be shared.
If you receive catalogs and other materials and digitize them internally, they become easy for anyone to view.
Even if the information isn't necessary for you personally, there might be someone who can make good use of it.

I think the idea that it might be useful to someone is an important point.
I believe that even sharing a portion of one's own experience with others can be a significant asset to a company.

Sharing current trends and announcements.

This is valuable information because it's the kind of report that only someone who actually attended the conference could provide.
However, if the content is too specialized, it is likely that few people will be able to use it.
It would be helpful to summarize current trends, even if only vaguely, and to write about them in relation to new and existing products.
Personally, I believe we should strive to participate in academic conferences in a way that allows us to write about this aspect thoroughly.

Providing information to doctors

Sharing information that was being discussed at a conference with doctors who couldn't attend can be very well-received.
Conversely, it might be a good strategy to target and attend lectures on topics that doctors who want to provide information would find interesting from the start.
If abstract collections or similar materials are available for purchase, it would be a good idea to buy them and bring them with you.

summary

I believe that to fully benefit from attending academic conferences, you need to have attended several conferences beforehand.
Even if it's not the same academic conference, as you gain more experience, you'll become more efficient at navigating the events.
People may have various reasons for participating, but it's important to participate with your own sense of purpose.
I hope this article will be helpful to those who will be attending academic conferences in the future.