Going to APA-worth it?

[lemonlove]

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone recommends going to APA as a resident? Is there any huge benefit besides meeting other peers and socializing?

Normally, I would love to go, but, considering the fact that I'm on the other side of the country and on a heavy rotation that month, I am inclined not to go for cost/time reasons.

I was just wondering if anyone can chime in on benefits of going.

Thanks

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[Shikima]

Not worth it. Even as an attending.

 

[splik]

APA is a rather big and unwieldy meeting. It is my least favorite one. I would recommend going to the meeting for whatever subspecialty you're interested in (i.e. AACAP, AAAP, AAPL, APM, AAGP, ANPA , IPS etc) or if you're interested in medical education you could attend one of those meetings (e.g. AAP, AADPRT, ADMSEP) as these smaller meetings afford more opportunities for networking. They often have travel awards from the residents to attend the meetings too. APA does not have such travel awards, but they do have various fellowships (minority, leadership, public, child) that you can apply for that may include paying for you to attend the APA meeting. The APA also has a research colloquium for residents during the meeting, and if you apply for that (too late now) then they pay for you to go.

If you volunteer to be a moderator they will waive your registration fee. Maybe your program would pay something if you were presenting? You can usually submit any crap for a poster presentation and get it accepted as an FYI. Not v. helpful for you this year but to bear in mind for future years.

I've been the last 2 years, but I didn't have to pay, it was on the APA's dime. This year I'm going, but because I'm chairing a workshop, my dept is paying. Post-residency, it can be a good way to catch up with friends you have not seen in a while - I am going to see some of my old residency friends there as well as other people I haven't seen in a while.

 

[st2205]

1. Will your program pay for it?
2. Do you want to go to San Diego?

 

[TexasPhysician]

Not a fan of APA either. I never go unless I want to take a trip to that location and it makes it tax deductible.

 

[nitemagi]

The conventional wisdom was always that the "good science" is at the subspecialty conferences.

 

[SeniorWrangler]

It used to be worth it for the amazing swag in the industry area, but these days...

 

[Monkey House]

I think it is worth going. It takes some planning ahead to make the most use of your time as its easy to get lost and caught up in it all. But with a little pre planning you can figure out who you want to meet and what you want to learn ... and there is a good chance that person and that topic will be there. The poster sessions are pretty interesting too given the diversity, and its always fun to connect with people across the world. The San Diego convention center is very well laid out and right in downtown.

 

[birchswing]

It used to be worth it for the amazing swag in the industry area, but these days...

Stress balls? I love stress balls.