Co-creating and implementing a novel pre-conference event to promote equity and inclusivity among academic researchers and people who use drugs.

This commentary draws on our experience organising a targeted networking event at the 10th International Conference on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users, in Glasgow, Scotland in October 2022. The event, held the day before the conference, brought together people with lived and living experiences of drug use and early- and mid-career researchers on an equitable basis. We offer reflections, focussing on how the event promoted community-academic engagement from members of the respective groups. We provide recommendations for how conferences can organise to engage with people who use drugs-both those with lived and living experience and foster greater inclusion for all attendees.

An Update on Gender Disparity in Critical Care Conferences.

This commentary's objective was to identify whether female representation at critical care conferences has improved since our previous publication in 2018. We audited the scientific programs from three international (International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine [ISICEM], European Society of Intensive Care Medicine [ESICM], and Society of Critical Care Medicine [SCCM]) and two national (State of the Art [SOA] and Critical Care Canada Forum) critical care conferences from the years 2017 to 2022. We collected data on the number of female faculty members and categorized them into physicians, nurses, allied health professions (AHPs), and other. Across all conferences, there was an increased representation of females as speakers and moderators over the 6 years. However, at each conference, male speakers outnumbered female speakers. Only two conferences achieved gender parity in speakers, SCCM in 2021 (48% female) and 2022 and SOA in 2022 (48% female). These conferences also had the highest representation of female nursing and AHP speakers (25% in SCCM, 2021; 19% in SOA, 2022). While there was a statistically significant increase in female speakers (p < 0.01) in 2022 compared with 2016, there was a persistent gender gap in the representation of men and female physicians. While the proportion of female moderators increased in each conference every year, the increase was statistically only significant for ISICEM, ESICM, and SCCM (p < 0.05). The proportion of female nurses and AHP speakers increased in 2022 compared with 2016 (p < 0.0001) but their overall representation was low with the highest proportion (25%) in the 2022 SCCM conference and the lowest (0.5%) in the 2017 ISICEM conference. This follow-up study demonstrates a narrowing but persisting gender gap in the studied critical care conferences. Thus, a commitment toward minimizing gender inequalities is warranted.

Conferências Nacionais de Saúde: estudo sobre aderência de propostas de política de comunicação aos princípios de comunicação pública / National Health Conferences: study on adherence of proposals on communication policy to the principles of public communication / Conferencias Nacionales de Salud: estudio sobre la adhesión de las propuestas de política de comunicación a los principios de la comunicación pública

Este artigo apresenta resultados preliminares de uma investigação sobre a aderência de propostas de criação de uma política de comunicação aos princípios de comunicação pública no Sistema Único de Saúde. As proposições foram discutidas no âmbito das Conferências Nacionais de Saúde realizadas entre 2003 e 2019. O estudo abrangeu a avaliação de documentos e entrevistas em profundidade com fontes-chave com atuação no controle social e que participaram das conferências. Buscaram-se também subsídios teóricos que tratam das temáticas da comunicação pública e da comunicação em saúde para embasar a discussão sobre a elaboração de uma política de comunicação voltada para o SUS. Observa-se falta de ancoragem clara das propostas das conferências com relação aos princípios da comunicação pública, bem como a não adesão do governo federal à pauta, mesmo nas gestões afinadas com ideais democráticos, princípios de participação social e atuação no interesse público.

This article presents the preliminary results of an investigation into the adherence of the proposals to create a communication policy for the Unified Health System, according to the principles of public communication. Those proposals were held between 2003 and 2019 within the National Health Conferences scope. The study covered the evaluation of documents and in-depth interviews with key sources working in social control and who had participated in conferences. It also included theoretical subsidies that deal with the themes of public communication and communication and health to support the discussion on the creation of a communication policy aimed at the SUS. The results showed a lack of clear anchorage of the conference proposals in principles of public communication, and the non-adherence of the federal government to the agenda, even during governments aligned with democratic ideals, principles of social participation, and action on the public interest.

Este artículo presenta resultados preliminares de una investigación sobre la adhesión de las propuestas de creación de una política de comunicación del Sistema Único de Salud a los principios de la comunicación pública. Las proposiciones fueron discutidas en las Conferencias Nacionales de Salud, entre 2003 y 2019. El estudio abarcó la evaluación de documentos y entrevistas en profundidad con fuentes que trabajan en el control social y con participación en las conferencias. Se buscaron subsidios teóricos que tratan de los temas de comunicación pública y comunicación y salud para apoyar la discusión sobre la elaboración de una política de comunicación dirigida al SUS. Hay una falta de anclaje de las propuestas de la conferencia en principios de comunicación pública, así como la falta de adhesión del gobierno federal, incluso en gestiones en sintonía con los ideales democráticos, principios de participación y acción social centrado en el interés público.

Gender disparities among speakers at major spine conferences.

PURPOSE: To examine ten-year trends in gender representation in speaking roles at major spine conferences. BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Medical conferences play an important role in career opportunities. There is little analysis on gender representation of major spine conferences despite several studies demonstrating gender disparities within spine surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. SAMPLE: A total of 20,181 abstract speakers across 10 years of academic conferences for six spine societies. OUTCOME MEASURES: Percent of female abstract presenters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collated the annual meeting programs of six major spine conferences (North American Spine Society (NASS), Scoliosis Research Society (SRS), International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST), Global Spine Congress (GSC), American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons (AANS/CNS) Spine Summit, and the Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS)) dating from 2013 to 2022. Departmental websites, society webpages, or personal social media were identified for images or the use of gendered pronouns in order to determine speaker gender for each speaker type. All categorical variables were compared using Pearson chi-square analysis. RESULTS: Women constituted 1,816 (9.0%) of all 20,181 identified conference speakers. Female representation was highest at NASS (N=680, 12.2%) but lowest at CSRS (6.6%) and GSC (7.1%). Spine Summit (7.4%), IMAST (9.92%), and GSC (9.87%) demonstrated the largest annual percent increases in female representation. Institutions in Middle East and Africa (1.4%), and Central and South America (1.8%) supported the lowest percent of female speakers. Women were significantly less likely to be speakers or moderators/course faculty than to be podium abstract presenters (p<.001). The percent of women as invited speakers (10.4% vs. 5.5%, p=.001) and moderators (11.4% vs. 3.7%, p<.001) increased significantly over the study period, with annual increases of 8.8% and 20.8%, respectively, from 2013 to 2022 (p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: While academic spine societies have made significant progress in promoting gender representation, especially among invited speakers and session moderators, women continue to be underrepresented compared to the percent of women in orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery.

Pela democracia e saúde: uma trajetória de múltiplas vozes e da ecologia de saberes / For democracy and health: a trajectory of multiple voices and the ecology of knowledge / Por la democracia y la salud: una trayectoria de voces múltiples y la ecología del conocimiento

Em entrevista à Reciis, a médica sanitarista Lucia Souto conta como seu trabalho em medicina comunitária a motivou à pesquisa científica, a fim de compreender as desigualdades que persistem no Brasil. Atuante em diversos movimentos populares e conferências nacionais voltadas à área da saúde, a pesquisadora faz um panorama sobre a trajetória das conferências nacionais de saúde, particularmente da 8ª à 17ª, realizada neste ano de 2023. Considera que houve um aumento da participação popular na garantia do direito à saúde. A sanitarista afirma que uma sociedade democrática não pode existir sem uma popularização radical dos meios de comunicação e informação, nos quais se manifeste uma pluralidade de vozes e uma ecologia dos saberes. Lucia Souto é chefe da Assessoria de Participação Social e Diversidade do Ministério da Saúde

In an interview with Reciis, public health physician Lucia Souto tells how her work in community medicine motivated her to pursue scientific research to understand the persistent Brazilian inequalities. Active in several popular movements and national conferences focused on health, the researcher provides an overview of the trajectory of national health conferences, particularly from the 8th to the 17th held this year (2023). She considers that there has been an increased popular participation in the guarantee of the right to health. The public health expert states that a democratic society cannot exist without a radical popularization of the means of communication and information, in which a plurality of voices and an ecology of knowledge are manifested. Lucia Souto is head of the Social Participation and Diversity Advisory Office at the Ministry of Health

En una entrevista con Reciis, la médica sanitarista Lucia Souto cuenta cómo su trabajo en medicina comunitaria la motivó a realizar investigaciones científicas para comprender las persistentes desigualdades brasileñas. Activa en varios movimientos populares y congresos nacionales centrados en la salud, la investigadora ofrece un panorama de la trayectoria de los congresos nacionales de salud, en particular del 8° al 17° celebrado este año (2023). Considera que ha habido una mayor participación popular en la garantía del derecho a la salud. El experto en salud pública afirma que no puede existir una sociedad democrática sin una popularización radical de los medios de comunicación e información, en la que se manifiesten una pluralidad de voces y una ecología de conocimientos. Lucia Souto es jefa de la Asesoría de Participación Social y Diversidad del Ministerio de Salud

Speaking up at conference question and answer sessions-disruptive behaviour typography and assessment scale.

Conferences can be a space to present new research, network, and provide an opportunity for learning. Delegates can meet field leaders, peers, top doctors, and international colleagues in various areas of expertise. Challenging behaviours, in particular in the question and answer session, but also during lectures themselves, may reduce overall enjoyment and learning. The authors of this article have written an observational reflection on some observed behaviours and have come up with a 10-point assessment scale. The article aims to stimulate discussion on what constitutes disruptive conduct, but also serves as a guide for conference session chair-people and delegates to spot patterns of contribution that may be unwelcome.

Gender parity perspectives in Asia Pacific: a descriptive analysis of Philippine rheumatology conferences.

Gender parity at conferences can facilitate progress in academia towards the attainment of gender equality as emphasized in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. The Philippines is a low to middle-income country in the Asia Pacific with relatively egalitarian gender norms experiencing significant growth in rheumatology. We examined the Philippines as a case study to analyze the impact of divergent gender norms on gender equity in rheumatology conference participation. We used publicly available data from PRA conference materials from 2009 to 2021. Gender was identified from information provided by organizers, online science directory networks, and a name-to-gender inference platform, the Gender application program interface (API). International speakers were identified separately. The results were then compared to other rheumatology conferences around the world. The PRA had 47% female faculty. Women were more likely to be the first authors in abstracts at the PRA (68%). There were more females among new inductees in PRA with the male: female ratio (M:F) of 1:3. The gender gap among new members declined from 5:1 to 2.7:1 from 2010 to 2015. However, low female representation was observed among international faculty (16%). Gender parity at the PRA was found to be considerably better when compared to other rheumatology conferences in the USA, Mexico, India, and Europe. However, a wide gender gap persisted among international speakers. Cultural and social constructs may potentially contribute to gender equity in academic conferences. Further research is recommended to assess the impact of gender norms on gender parity in academia in other Asia-Pacific countries.

Panel composition and disparities in the topics of presentation in vascular surgery conferences.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies identified gender disparities in surgical conference presenters and moderators. We sought to assess disparities in the representation of women in terms of speakers and moderators, but with particular emphasis on panels and topics of discussion at vascular surgery conferences. METHODS: Data regarding presenters and moderators from the Southern Association of Vascular Surgery, Western Vascular Society, Vascular and Endovascular Surgical Society, Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery, and Society for Vascular Surgery conferences was obtained from online meeting archives and via email correspondence. Scientific session speakers, moderators, and panelists were identified by sex. Specific vascular topics for each discussion were also identified. Keynote speakers or special guests were excluded. RESULTS: Compared to men, women were less often presenters (18% versus 82%, p < .002) and moderators (16% versus 84%, p < .001) of conference sessions. Women were most likely to present on dialysis access and least likely to present on venous disease overall. Women were more likely to present on aortic (24% vs 19%; p < .013) and cerebrovascular disease (33% vs 27%; p < .021) at regional compared to national conferences. Of panels assessed, 68% were all-male. Subgroup analysis suggests that some improvements have been made over time. CONCLUSIONS: Significant disparities persist in the topics presented and in panel composition suggesting potential areas for improvement in equity. Further study should focus on evaluating trends in the training level of the presenter and the topics presented, and assessing parity in structural factors that impact research presentation opportunities.

A comparison of costs of two forms of educator professional development in Wyoming: Traditional conference vs. project ECHO.

Educator professional development (PD) is essential for improving student outcomes (Guskey, 1986, 2002). However, logistical challenges with traditional in-person conferences can detract from the reach of educator PD (Corcoran, 1995; Johnston, 1994; Shaffer & McNinch, 1997; Stephens, 1991). Project ECHO is a model of PD that utilizes videoconferencing technology to provide training to educators in rural or underserved areas through didactic presentations and case-based learning (Arora et al., 2007; Root-Elledge et al., 2018) while eliminating some of the challenges faced by traditional conferences. However, cost comparisons between ECHO and various forms of PD have not previously been considered. The current study utilizes an in-depth cost comparison to examine PD delivered by ECHO relative to traditional conferences. Findings suggest that ECHO is more affordable for funders and attendees overall. ECHO for Education may, therefore, be a useful tool in delivering PD to educators in rural and remote communities.

The Need for Sustainability, Equity, and International Exchange: Perspectives of Early Career Environmental Psychologists on the Future of Conferences.

At the 2019 and 2021 International Conference on Environmental Psychology, discussions were held on the future of conferences in light of the enormous greenhouse gas emissions and inequities associated with conference travel. In this manuscript, we provide an early career researcher (ECR) perspective on this discussion. We argue that travel-intensive conference practices damage both the environment and our credibility as a discipline, conflict with the intrinsic values and motivations of our discipline, and are inequitable. As such, they must change. This change can be achieved by moving toward virtual and hybrid conferences, which can reduce researchers' carbon footprints and promote equity, if employed carefully and with informal exchange as a priority. By acting collectively and with the support of institutional change, we can adapt conference travel norms in our field. To investigate whether our arguments correspond to views in the wider community of ECRs within environmental psychology, we conducted a community case study. By leveraging our professional networks and directly contacting researchers in countries underrepresented in those networks, we recruited 117 ECRs in 32 countries for an online survey in February 2022. The surveyed ECRs supported a change in conference travel practices, including flying less, and perceived the number of researchers wanting to reduce their travel emissions to be growing. Thirteen percent of respondents had even considered leaving academia due to travel requirements. Concerning alternative conference formats, a mixed picture emerged. Overall, participants had slightly negative evaluations of virtual conferences, but expected them to improve within the next 5 years. However, ECRs with health issues, facing visa challenges, on low funding, living in remote areas, with caretaking obligations or facing travel restrictions due to COVID-19 expected a switch toward virtual or hybrid conferences to positively affect their groups. Participants were divided about their ability to build professional relationships in virtual settings, but believed that maintaining relationships virtually is possible. We conclude by arguing that the concerns of ECRs in environmental psychology about current and alternative conference practices must be taken seriously. We call on our community to work on collective solutions and less travel-intensive conference designs using participatory methods.

Democracia e controle social: participação dos trabalhadores da saúde do Rio Grande do Sul nas Conferências de Saúde em 2019 / Democracy and social control: |b participation of health workers in Rio Grande do Sul in the Health Conferences in 2019

A Participação social e a Democracia são elementos fundamentais na organização do sistema de saúde brasileiro. As conferências e os conselhos de saúde foram regulamentados em 1990, o que possibilitou a criação dos espaços de participação da população e de controle social no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Estas são experiências reconhecidas pela literatura como inovadoras, entretanto, ainda temos muitos desafios para seu fortalecimento. Objetivos: Este estudo se propôs a analisar a participação dos trabalhadores da saúde na Conferência Estadual de Saúde no Rio Grande do Sul. Etapa preparatória da 16a Conferência Nacional de Saúde. Metodologia: Estudo de abordagem qualitativa, que usou como método Estudo de Caso, para consolidar suas conclusões a respeito do fenômeno que foi investigado. Resultados e Discussões: Os achados buscaram ampliar o conhecimento sobre a temática da participação social e as políticas produzidas nesse espaço, especialmente sobre a inserção dos trabalhadores da saúde na construção do controle social do SUS no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. O perfil sociodemográfico das/dos participantes da 16a CNS e da 8a CES/RS foram de mulheres, trabalhadoras na saúde e advindas de serviços públicos, sendo brancas no Rio Grande do Sul e pardas no Brasil. A faixa etária ficou entre 20 e 39 anos nos dois grupos. Em relação às propostas retiradas das conferências, todas as propostas da 8a CES/RS foram absorvidas pela 16a CNS/BR. Na discussão dos eixos, democracia era o tema central. Financiamento esteve presente nas discussões de todos os eixos. Apesar das diferentes bandeiras e grupos participantes, houve convergência na defesa da luta pelo Referendo de revogação das EC 85 e 96, além da contrarreforma Trabalhista e Previdenciária. Principais debates se deram em torno de propostas em defesa da democracia e manutenção dos conselhos de saúde. Defesa dos planos de carreira e atualização da tabela SUS. Além da discussão das políticas de saúde, num período pré-pandemia. Conclusões: O papel de controle social e seus posicionamentos se mostraram relevantes, e a participação dos trabalhadores foi fundamental, tendo em vista este segmento ter sido o maior em número absoluto de pessoas presentes na 8a CES. Ou seja, sua participação na discussão e elaboração de propostas foi expressiva.

Social Participation and Democracy are fundamental elements in the organization of the Brazilian health system. Conferences and health councils were regulated in 1990, which made it possible to create spaces for population participation and social control in the Unified Health System (SUS). These are experiences recognized by the literature as innovative, however, we still have many challenges for their strengthening. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the participation of health workers in the State Health Conference in Rio Grande do Sul. Preparatory stage of the 16th National Health Conference. METHODOLOGY: Study with a qualitative approach, that used the Case Study method, to consolidate its conclusions about the phenomenon that was investigated. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: The findings sought to expand knowledge on the subject of social participation and the policies produced in this space, especially on the insertion of health workers in the construction of social control of the SUS in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. The sociodemographic profile of the participants of the 16th CNS and the 8th CES/RS were women, health workers and coming from public services, being white in Rio Grande do Sul and brown in Brazil. The age group was between 20 and 39 years old in both groups. Regarding the proposals withdrawn from the conferences, all the proposals from the 8oCES/RS were absorbed by the 16th CNS/BR. In the discussion of the axes, democracy was the central theme. Financing was present in the discussions on all axes. Despite the different flags and participating groups, there was convergence in the defense of the fight for the referendum to repeal EC 85 and 96, in addition to the counter-reform of Labor and Social Security. Main debates took place around proposals in defense of democracy and maintenance of health councils. Defense of career plans and updating of the SUS table. In addition to the discussion of health policies, in a pre-pandemic period. CONCLUSIONS: The role of social control and its positions proved to be relevant and the participation of workers was fundamental, considering that this segment was the largest in absolute number of people present at the 8th CES. In other words, their participation in the discussion and elaboration of proposals was expressive.

Lessons from an initiative to address gender bias.

How a letter addressing the lack of women invited to speak at a conference in brain stimulation encouraged researchers to take action.

Centering inclusivity in the design of online conferences-An OHBM-Open Science perspective.

As the global health crisis unfolded, many academic conferences moved online in 2020. This move has been hailed as a positive step towards inclusivity in its attenuation of economic, physical, and legal barriers and effectively enabled many individuals from groups that have traditionally been underrepresented to join and participate. A number of studies have outlined how moving online made it possible to gather a more global community and has increased opportunities for individuals with various constraints, e.g., caregiving responsibilities. Yet, the mere existence of online conferences is no guarantee that everyone can attend and participate meaningfully. In fact, many elements of an online conference are still significant barriers to truly diverse participation: the tools used can be inaccessible for some individuals; the scheduling choices can favour some geographical locations; the set-up of the conference can provide more visibility to well-established researchers and reduce opportunities for early-career researchers. While acknowledging the benefits of an online setting, especially for individuals who have traditionally been underrepresented or excluded, we recognize that fostering social justice requires inclusivity to actively be centered in every aspect of online conference design. Here, we draw from the literature and from our own experiences to identify practices that purposefully encourage a diverse community to attend, participate in, and lead online conferences. Reflecting on how to design more inclusive online events is especially important as multiple scientific organizations have announced that they will continue offering an online version of their event when in-person conferences can resume.

Gender Disparity in Surgical Society Leadership and Annual Meeting Programs.

INTRODUCTION: Prior work suggests women surgical role models attract more female medical students into surgical training. We investigate recent trends of women in surgical society leadership and national conference moderator and plenary speaker roles. METHODS: Gender distribution was surveyed at 15 major surgical societies and 14 conferences from 2014 to 2018 using publicly reported data. Roles were categorized as leadership (executive council), moderator, or plenary speaker. Data were cross-checked from online profiles and by contacting societies. Logistic regression with Huber-White clustering by society was utilized to evaluate proportions of women in each role over time and determine associations between the proportion of women in executive leadership, and scientific session moderators and plenary speakers. RESULTS: The proportion of leadership positions held by women increased slightly from 2014 to 2018 (20.6%-26.6%, P = 0.23), as did the proportion of moderators (26.2%-30.6%, P = 0.027) and plenary speakers (26.2%-30.9%, P = 0.058). The proportion of women in each role varied significantly across societies (all P < 0.001): leaders (range 0.0%-52.0%), moderators (12.5%-58.8%), and plenary speakers (11.3%-60.0%). Three patterns of change were observed: eight societies (53.3%) demonstrated increases in representation of women over time, four societies (26.6%) showed stable moderate-to-good gender balance, and three societies (20.0%) had consistent underrepresentation of women. CONCLUSION: There is significant variability in the representation of women at the leadership level of national surgical societies and participating at national surgical conferences as moderators and plenary speakers. Over the past 5 years some societies have achieved advances in gender equity, but many societies still have substantial room for improvement.

The past and present of pandemic management: health diplomacy, international epidemiological surveillance, and COVID-19.

The establishment of international sanitary institutions, which took place in the context of rivalry among the great European powers and their colonial expansion in Asia, allowed for the development of administrative systems of international epidemiological surveillance as a response to the cholera epidemics at the end of the nineteenth century. In this note, I reflect on how a historical analysis of the inception of international epidemiological surveillance and pandemic management helps us to understand what is happening in the COVID-19 pandemic today.