tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729772.post7242549081699730447..comments2023-03-14T08:20:51.212-06:00Comments on Musings on transfusion medicine: The way we were (Musings on the benefits of attending conferences)Bluthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06234734730501396268noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729772.post-50510271672441100842013-05-21T18:17:31.315-06:002013-05-21T18:17:31.315-06:00Hi Elaine,
Thanks for the great feedback. Please...Hi Elaine, <br /><br />Thanks for the great feedback. Please see main blog for my comments.Bluthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06234734730501396268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729772.post-25987478150941104762013-05-21T17:50:48.229-06:002013-05-21T17:50:48.229-06:00Pat,
The way we were indeed!
I have long been a ...Pat,<br />The way we were indeed!<br /> <br />I have long been a supporter of sending "junior" techs to conferences, but I know of organizations organizations that do not have the same perspective. I think their concern is that the networking and knowledge bank is more effective for members of the organization who can actually make changes suggested at these meetings-of-the-minds. <br /><br />Although this may be perceived to be efficacious for the organization, I prefer to think of CE (and specifically attending conferences) as analogous to interest paid on an investment: the longer it has to go, the more impact it will have in the end. Conferences are definitely (as you indicated) a way of investing in our futures. <br /><br />Someone will have to do my pretransfusion testing when I need surgery for my arthritic knees or broken hip in another 20 years, unless, of course, by then a way has been found to eliminate the need for transfusion of homologous red cells.<br /> <br />Due to financial constraints, some organizations have eliminated conferences for anyone. I hope this isn't a telling comment on the future of continuing education.<br /><br />Thanks for the great article.<br /><br />Elaine Van Oyen<br />Calgary, Alberta, Canada<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729772.post-36972752819559110152013-05-12T19:25:10.050-06:002013-05-12T19:25:10.050-06:00British mafia - love it! I've heard George Gar...British mafia - love it! I've heard George Garratty speak in person, also Patrick Mollison. What a thrill! <br /><br />Learned most of what I know from Issitt's 'Applied Blood Group Serology', read cover to cover as a novice. John Judd's my idol, because I love his use of predictive value theory. <br /><br />Thanks for advice to youngsters to ask. Rings true! Never get what you want if you don't try. <br /> <br /><br />Bluthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06234734730501396268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8729772.post-24835555204391258412013-05-12T18:34:28.329-06:002013-05-12T18:34:28.329-06:00Hi Pat,
Another thought provoking and pertinent po...Hi Pat,<br />Another thought provoking and pertinent posting. <br />It is indeed a huge shame that meetings such as BGS Durham are no longer sustainable. As a now senior member of the transfusion community I remember with a certain nostalgia being a young trainee scientist in the UK attending both the Reading and Durham meetings and getting to see the great and good of transfusion. Where else for example would I have got to see the "British Mafia" (as they were known) over from the States -- George Garraty, Peter Issitt, John Judd and Malcolm Beck, along with George Bird, Joyce Poole etc etc? Inspirational and as you say the casual networking in the bar and at dinner provided the hidden value that is so often overlooked in conference or meeting attendance.<br />Even with the undoubted staffing and budgetary limitiations one thing I would say to young(er) colleagues is "don't be afraid to ask" to attend meeting or even international conferences. <br />Something I've definitely found by experience is that one of the best ways to get to conferences and meetings (even internationally) is by actually being proactive and expressing an interest to attend. On so many occasions I've seen colleagues bemoan missing out because they were waiting for someone to approach them to apply!!! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com