ICU Management & Practice, ICU Volume 9 - Issue 2 - Summer 2009
As one of the biggest and most successful annual critical care meetings in the world, this ESICM will surely once again not disappoint its' participants. Held over three days, the congress will feature ten parallel sessions with over 800 lectures, presentations, debates, round table discussions, tutorials and interactive educational sessions. A faculty of more than 220 internationally recognised experts from all around the world has been invited to lecture and animate a scientific programme that makes the congress an event that should not be missed.
Presentation of cutting-edge original research is one of the priorities of this congress and we are pleased that over 1350 abstracts have been submitted to the meeting. Many of these will be presented in either oral or poster format to congress registrants. This year, we are pleased to announce novel features that will enable each congress attendee to fully enjoy this exciting scientific programme. With the introduction of our electronic posters, poster corners or replay theatres, congress participants will have unprecedented opportunities to optimise their selection of thematic sessions or debates of new data in a user-friendly and interactive fashion.
More than ever, this congress aims to update clinicians, nursing staff, allied health professional and industry partners on the most recent and relevant advances that pertain to critical care and emergency medicine. Before the official opening of the congress, we will propose a programme of courses to update participants on a wide variety of relevant subjects. The Congress Committee has worked closely with the Division of Professional Development to design a refresher course that will suit anyone thinking of taking the European Diploma in Intensive Care or other parties wanting to refresh their knowledge on a broad number of topics. We will also be hosting postgraduate courses on sepsis, acute kidney failure and renal replacement therapy, acute respiratory failure and mechanical ventilation, in addition to echocardiography and communication skills.
As we not only focus on patient management decisions but also on organisational and management topics that are important in intensive care, we will also host prior to the start of the congress two important events that are expected to shape the future of our discipline. First, the ESICM has taken the initiative to invite world-reknown experts to represent most of the international scientific societies in a « Roundtable on Echocardiography and Ultrasound for the ICU Physician ». The aims of this closed meeting are to define the ideal curriculum and process to train and certify intensivists that express the urgent need to acquire new competencies that prove so important in today's practice. Last but not least, as patient's rights and patient safety are becoming an increasing concern of EU institutions, the ESICM has invited leaders of national and international scientific societies to participate in a Roundtable on Patient Safety in the ICU together with EU and WHO officials, political leaders, as well as industrial partners. This conference is expected to result in the signature of an important declaration in which all stakeholders pledge to coordinate efforts to improve patient safety at every level in intensive care medicine. Reports from these two important events will undoubtedly figure among the highlights of an exciting Opening Ceremony that will bring its own mixture of science, information and surprises.
Situated on the banks of the Danube, Vienna is a metropolis with unique charm, vibrancy and flair. Also described as Europe's cultural capital, it has all the inspiration that you could wish for in order to discover this wonderful part of Europe. Sightseeing opportunities are to be found in abundance, and Vienna is a dream city for anyone with a romantic streak or an interest in history, culture or music. Vienna has always produced and nurtured outstanding artists. Home to Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert, the city has been synonymous with music and art for centuries, and this outstanding musical heritage has been preserved right to the present day. The collecting passion of art-loving rulers and monarchs has led Vienna to host one of the world's largest and most distinguished art collection. Wandering along narrow, medieval alleyways or across imperial squares, or visiting one of Vienna's famous coffee houses or traditional wine taverns will prepare your mind for a unique learning experience during the 22nd Annual Congress of the ESICM. We look forward to you attending our congress in Vienna where we will offer both an enjoyable and exciting scientific programme together with an entertaining social and cultural spectacle.
