Most Medical Events Are A Waste Of Time! A Critical Analysis.

Medical Events: In recent months, after the relaxation of COVID-19 measures, there has been a proliferation of medical events, medical fairs, exhibitions, conferences, and workshops, aimed at disseminating new knowledge, fostering collaboration, improving patient care and showcasing medical products, medical services or medical innovations and startups.


 
However, an increasing number of healthcare professionals and observers have begun to question the value of these events, with some suggesting that they may be a waste of time.
 
The worse are medical events organized by Indian based companies and medical event organizers and also Thai medical event organizers. I once attended an event In Bangkok organized by an Indian medical event organizer where among the many foreign doctors and experts presenting talks was a doctor who had his license revoked in the United States for malpractice and two researchers whose published works had been retracted due to fraud! The organizers did not bother to check the backgrounds of their speakers! In another event By Thai organizers, a local Thai doctor who had bee involved in running an illegal fertility clinic for Chinese couples and was involved in unethical and illegal procedures in the past was now a leading presenter about medical innovations and medical startups!
 
The only really beneficial medical events I have attended so far are those organized by ASCO from the United States and from certain organizers based in Singapore.
 
At some medical fairs and health fairs held in Bangkok, we been to so many booths that had stupid Thai staff or Chinese staff that could not speak a word of English let alone even have proper product knowledge!
 
At some of the Thai medical and healthcare innovations and startups events we attended, what we typically saw was local Thais simply copying innovations from overseas and simply doing language customization and design or presentation changes!. No real new or original innovations! But the agencies promoting such healthcare innovations were simply beating the drums and boasting about Thai innovations while not knowing how many patent or copyright violations have taken place!
 
In this article, we delve into the underlying reasons behind this sentiment and explore whether the medical events industry is truly delivering on its promises or merely providing a superficial facade of progress.
 
Financial Burden
One of the most significant criticisms of medical events is the financial burden they impose on attendees and sponsoring institutions. With registration fees, travel costs, and accommodation expenses, attending a single event can run into thousands of dollars. This expenditure is often justified by the potential for networking, learning, and collaboration, but there are concerns that the return on investment may not always be sufficient. In an era of budget constraints and cost-cutting measures, the resources directed toward these events could potentially be better utilized elsewhere in healthcare systems.
 
Even certain online medical events are charging monies that do not justify the merits or benefits that they bring.
 
Quality of Conten t
Another common criticism of medical events is the quality of the content being presented. While some events feature groundbreaking research and thought-provoking discussions, many others rehash the same material, with presenters recycling their talks from one event to another. This lack of original content may result in attendees gaining little new information or insight, leading to a sense of frustration and disillusionment.
 
Superficial Networking
While networking is often touted as one of the primary benefits of attending medical events, it can be argued that the networking opportunities provided are often superficial and of limited value. With hundreds or thousands of attendees, it can be challenging to form meaningful connections or engage in deep conversations. This issue is exacerbated by the hectic pace of events, leaving little time for attendees to genuinely connect and collaborate.
 
The Role of Industry Sponsorship
The influence of the pharmaceutical and medical device industries on medical events has long been a contentious issue. Industry-sponsored events may be biased in favor of specific products or treatments, leading to a distortion of the information presented. This issue can undermine the credibility of the event and limit its potential for unbiased knowledge dissemination.
 
Environmental Impact
The environmental impact of medical events, particularly large-scale conferences, cannot be ignored. With attendees traveling from all over the world, the carbon footprint of a single event can be substantial. As the healthcare industry strives to become more environmentally responsible, it is worth questioning whether the benefits of these events justify their ecological costs.
 
Inaccessibility
Despite the abundance of medical events, many healthcare professionals are unable to attend due to factors such as time constraints, lack of funding, or geographical barriers. As a result, these events often cater to a select few, limiting the potential for broader knowledge sharing and collaboration.
 
The Emergence of Alternative Platforms
The rise of digital technology has provided alternative platforms for knowledge dissemination and collaboration, such as webinars, virtual conferences, and social media and even virtual fairs and exhibition. These platforms offer many of the same benefits as traditional medical events but at a fraction of the cost and without the need for travel. (Except for some unscrupulous organizers overcharging fees!)
 
This development has led some to question the ongoing relevance of in-person events in the medical community.
 
Conclusion
While medical events can provide valuable opportunities for learning, networking, and collaboration, there is a growing consensus that many of these events fail to deliver on their promises. The financial burden, variable content quality, superficial networking, industry sponsorship, environmental impact, and inaccessibility of these events are all factors that contribute to the growing perception that they may be a waste of time.
 
As the medical community continues to evolve and adapt to new technologies and challenges, it is essential to critically assess the value of medical events and explore innovative approaches to knowledge sharing and collaboration.
 
This may involve a combination of strategies, including virtual events, smaller and more focused gatherings, and increased utilization of digital platforms.
 
By prioritizing quality over quantity and addressing the underlying issues that have plagued medical events for years, the medical community can work together to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and that the goals of improving patient care and advancing medical knowledge are genuinely achieved.
 
Ultimately, the responsibility falls on the organizers, sponsors, and attendees of medical events to critically evaluate their purpose and effectiveness. By promoting transparency, encouraging unbiased content, and fostering a culture of genuine collaboration and inclusivity, the medical community can create events that are truly valuable and impactful.
 
In conclusion, while it may be an overgeneralization to label all medical events as a waste of time, it is essential to acknowledge the shortcomings of the current landscape and work collectively toward a more efficient, effective, and inclusive approach to knowledge sharing and collaboration. By embracing innovation and focusing on quality, the medical community can ensure that medical events continue to play a crucial role in advancing the field and improving patient care.
 
Note that Medical Events listed or promoted on Thailand Medical News are the only ones worth going as we typically prescreen and also check speakers, exhibitors and other details. If a medical event is not listed or advertised on Thailand Medical News, you can be rest assured that it is an event that can be missed despite whatever the organizers can say or their ads or PR releases or sponsored post can say in certain other garbage mainstream media or forums that has no clue about things medical related.
 
For more about Medical Events, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.