World experts present respiratory and critical care research at CHEST 2003, intl scientific assembly

Thousands of medical professionals will be on hand to learn from national and international experts and up-and-coming investigators as they present more than 600 cutting-edge clinical research abstracts and case reports in various formats, including 175 original scientific sessions, 10 honor lectures, and 30 satellite symposia at the annual international scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP). In addition, attendees will have the opportunity for personalized instruction during the 22 postgraduate courses covering a broad range of subspecialty topics, including obstructive sleep apnea, pediatric pulmonology, disaster medicine, pulmonary vascular disease, lung cancer, and critical care.

"CHEST 2003 will gather leaders in the field of chest medicine who will provide a thorough examination of the most current scientific developments in a variety of subspecialties," said Curtis N. Sessler, MD, FCCP, Program Chair, CHEST 2003. "Physicians and other medical professionals will have the opportunity to review the latest in diagnostic procedures, innovative and conventional treatments, and patient care issues." Special events and program highlights for clinical and research topics include:

• Asthma – The fifth ACCP/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Community Asthma Coalition Symposium provides local asthma coalitions with the opportunity to learn about ongoing and new asthma coalition projects and to network with other coalition members regarding programming, activity coordination, and funding initiatives. In addition, a postgraduate course will feature new developments in asthma research.
• Cardiology – Distinguished Scientist Lecturer Eugene Braunwald, MD, FCCP(Hon) will discuss cardiology issues in the past, present, and the future. Dr. Braunwald is the Distinguished Hersey Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and the Chairman of the TIMI Study Group at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA.
• Critical Care – College Medalist Honor Lecturer Jean-Louis Vincent, MD, PhD, FCCP, will discuss how evidenced-based medicine impacts hospital intensive care units. Dr. Vincent is Head of Department Service of the Intensive Care Teaching Hospital Academic Erasme in Brussels, Belgium. In addition, Roger C. Bone Memorial Lecturer Ira Byock, MD, will discuss compassion in critical care, including issues related to biology, philosophy, and pragmatism. Dr. Byock is a Research Professor of Philosophy and faculty member of the Practical Ethics Center at the University of Montana and Director of The Palliative Care Service in Missoula, MT.
• Lung Cancer – A postgraduate course and satellite symposium on the ACCP Lung Cancer Guidelines will provide a review of the guidelines and a summary of the literature that has appeared since the guidelines were published in January 2003 in CHEST.
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Former director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Claude Lenfant, MD, FCCP(Hon), will present an honor lecture titled, Research Advances: Are Results Impacting Patient Care? Recently retired from the NHLBI after more than 20 years of service, Dr. Lenfant will be presented with the ACCP Lifetime Achievement Award for his high quality contributions in the areas of teaching, educational innovation, publication, research, and public service to the medical profession.
• Patient-Focused Care Pledge – All ACCP members and health-care providers will be invited to take the new ACCP Patient-Focused Care Pledge during the CHEST 2003 Convocation Awards Ceremony honoring new fellows. The Patient-Focused Care Pledge is unique to the ACCP for it emphasizes the health-care professional's role as a patient advocate and underscores the health care provider's responsibility to provide patient-focused care whenever and wherever he or she cares for patients. The Pledge recognizes the importance of interdisciplinary care that is safe, monitored, compassionate, and sensitive to the needs of patients and their families.

CHEST 2003 is the 69th annual international scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians, being held in Orlando, October 25-30. ACCP represents more than 15,700 members who provide clinical respiratory, critical care, and cardiothoracic patient care in the United States and throughout the world. ACCP's mission is to promote the prevention and treatment of diseases of the chest through leadership, education, research, and communication.