Is there any benefit to going to APA?

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artorious22

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I'm a resident right now and I only live a few hours away from the conference center this year (SF), but I have a lot of other commitments for my kids that week, so I am reluctant to go. But at the same time, I've never gone to a conference before and I was wondering if there is something of educational value in going? Or for future career prospects? Are there any elections that take place there?

Essentially, I want to know if it just purely for socialization or if there is any real value in going?

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I'm a resident right now and I only live a few hours away from the conference center this year (SF), but I have a lot of other commitments for my kids that week, so I am reluctant to go. But at the same time, I've never gone to a conference before and I was wondering if there is something of educational value in going? Or for future career prospects? Are there any elections that take place there?

Essentially, I want to know if it just purely for socialization or if there is any real value in going?

Lots of people would disagree with this, but yes, there is value in going for certain people. For you as a resident, if you haven't been super engaged this conference probably wouldn't be super valuable. But there is usually a lot of great educational content, and some people find value in the leadership positions (which you may not have time for as a resident with kids.) There are always elections because leadership is always turning over.

I don't know this from specific APA experience (leadership-wise) but with a lot of experience in the AMA and other similar organizations. I attended APA in 2018 and quite enjoyed the educational content.
 
I've only been once, last year. There were some good sessions and some not-so-good ones. The overall atmosphere was of a trade show rather than an academic conference, I thought, which was a bit disillusioning. It was still enjoyable and I would go again if it were convenient, but it's not something I would give another thought to missing if you have somewhere else you'd rather be during that week. If the educational content is what you're really after, you can purchase the lectures as a package online to view at your leisure.
 
I've only been once, last year. There were some good sessions and some not-so-good ones. The overall atmosphere was of a trade show rather than an academic conference, I thought, which was a bit disillusioning. It was still enjoyable and I would go again if it were convenient, but it's not something I would give another thought to missing if you have somewhere else you'd rather be during that week. If the educational content is what you're really after, you can purchase the lectures as a package online to view at your leisure.

Yeah, I'm really just interested in the educational content (especially with regards to Boards). I don't care much for other things right now.
 
Won't help with boards.

Go for CME. Go for lecture topics of interest. Go for opportunity to see some place new. Go to socialize with current/past resident colleagues.

I'm in training right now so I don't have any interest in CME. Honestly, I'm so exhausted as it is I don't feel like going looking at the program agenda. I think in a few years when I'm done with boards and the kids are older. lol
 
It's a meat market. It's insane. There are a huge number of people who attend, multiple sessions, multiple venues, and you have to camp out early for the popular talks/speakers in order to be able to get into the sessions. If you turn up on time, chances are you won't be able to get in. There are also some good courses that occur that you have to pay extra for that might be good to attend (as much cheaper as a resident than later). In addition multiple other associations have their conference or some kind of meeting during the APA including AACP (community psychiatry), AAPP (philosophy and psychiatry), SOBP (biological psychiatry), ISEN (neurostim/ECT), AAPDP (dynamic psychiatry), AGLP (LGBTQ psychiatry) and so on. Often programs have drinks receptions during it, there are lots of careers stalls, lots of social events, and the APA's caucuses all meet during it. The APA components also meet during this and they are open to APA members if you contact the chair in advance. Basically, there is a lot going on.

APA is my least favorite conference because it is sensory overload and there is too much happening. I go every year because it is a good chance for me to catch up with friends and colleagues, and I usually have commitments in terms of attending various committees that occur during the meeting and presenting stuff etc.

As a resident, I would definitely recommend going to it once (as its much much cheaper to attend as a resident or your program might pay), but the subspecialty conferences are usually better and more intimate.
 
I went to my first APA meeting last year and will be going this year. It was my least favorite conference that I've been to: way too big, I wasn't all that impressed with the lectures that I went to, and just didn't think the academic quality was all that great. The one only reason I'm going is because the conference is paid for due to being in an APA fellowship.

It's probably worth going to at least one and having the experience, but I don't intend to pay to go in the future.
 
Lectures can be hit and miss. If you have political aspirations within organized psychiatry, this is the super bowl. On the other hand, a couple of years ago someone here described it as the largest group of adults playing student government on the planet. Both points of view are fairly valid.
 
Mostly people just go and get drunk with their friends/old colleagues from training, etc. It's more social than anything else.

I'm not a partier at all but I've typically enjoyed them in the past. However that was as a med student/trainee so it was free/cheap. If I had to pay $1000+ for the conference and lodging I'd rather on a nice weekend trip instead.
 
I buy the APA on demand, the video-recorded lectures on-line. If you browse through the meeting brochure pdf, there is a code for attendees which works whether you're there or not which reduces the cost to ~400 bucks. It's like $200 if you're a resident.
 
On the other hand, a couple of years ago someone here described it as the largest group of adults playing student government on the planet. Both points of view are fairly valid.

I've been involved with the APA at the state level. With any group of people who think they're smart a lot of the banter are people wanting to hear themselves and this can get very tedious. It happens in other scenarios too such as when attendings get together within a department for meetings. (IMHO there ought to be an efficacy/BS meter for speakers that would encourage meaningful discussion and discourage ineffective discussion).

But like you said, if you want to get involved with psychiatry and government this is probably one of the best roads to get there. There are others. E.g. state governments often times rely on academia, their own people in state government often times in state hospitals, and/or the APA.
 
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