ANZCA Bulletin June 2011 - Australian and New Zealand College of ...

PERTH ASM IN 2012
DR TANYA FARRELL AND DR DAVID VYSE
CO-CONVENORS ANZCA ASM 2012
Perth is hosting the ANZCA annual
scientifi c meeting (ASM) from May
11-16, 2012, which has the banner,
“Evolution: Grow Develop Thrive”. Being
involved with the regional organising
committee entrusted with hosting the
meeting has thus far been an enjoyable
and interesting experience. Like many
things we do in our spare time, meeting
organisation provides a different outlet
for creative and lateral thinking.
As anaesthetists, we spend our lives
planning. We hope for a smooth ride
and a perfect outcome but have thought
about, planned for and are ready to take
on any eventuality. We are trained to
work effi ciently in a team environment
and to communicate with our colleagues,
other team members and anyone outside
our nexus who is important in providing
the outcome we desire. We work within
rules, guidelines and protocols but still
manage to individualise our care given
our own skills, abilities and beliefs for
each patient under our watch. We must
be meticulous, particular and, dare I say,
a little bit obsessive!
Given all these requirements in our daily
practice, it is little wonder that taking on
roles such as being involved in meeting
planning sits well with our anaesthetic
persona.
A convenor’s involvement in an ASM
commences with a tap on the shoulder
or a nervous raised hand some three
to four years prior to staging of the
meeting. The fi rst major task to fulfi l is
to convince yourself that this is a good
idea. The second task is to convince
your partner that this is a good idea. I’m
still not sure which of these has been
easier (or more successful). To enable
these tasks, it is important to continue
to remind oneself of the benefi ts to the
anaesthetic community and ourselves –
the opportunity to create an environment
for growing knowledge, a conduit for
planting the seed for someone else’s
genius to develop and for all to thrive
from the synergy of input that comes
when thousands of craftsmen combine.
Australia and New Zealand (and Asia) are
powerhouses of world research and the
ASM is the primary opportunity for us to
showcase this work and share it with our
colleagues. It is an opportunity for us to
come together with pride as a group in
how we continue to advance and evolve
our practice.
Left: Regional Organising Committee
for the ANZCA ASM 2012 in Perth.
Anaesthetists work hard. We have
lives in our hands as routine. We give
of ourselves for the benefi t of others
constantly. We put up with surgeons
daily! It is no wonder we look forward
to the social benefi ts a meeting of this
nature provides. The ASM is marked
by many as a social highlight in their
year. Organising the meeting allows an
opportunity to provide this forum and
stamp it with the individuality of the
region. No doubt those who come to
next year’s ASM you will never forget
the crispness of the air basking in the
autumn sun. You will be captivated by
the laziness of enjoying your favourite
beverage as that sun sets over the
world’s most beautiful beaches. You will
marvel at the gourmet delicacies and
world famous wines. Being part of sharing
these things with all delegates gives an
organiser an inner glow already.
To engage is to enjoy! We have had the
chance to engage and discover hidden
talents amongst our colleagues, form
new friendships and rekindle old ones.
We would encourage all Fellows to get
involved with projects like an ASM as your
personal benefi t far outweighs your input.
We look forward to hosting you all in
Perth next year for a fabulous ASM!
ANZCA Bulletin June 2011 35