Top five benefits of attending conferences as a patient

By Alexa Ercolano

Asa person living with lymphedema, I’m always seeking out the latest info on advancements in lymphedema treatment and research. Online journals and medical news sites are great resources, but what has really helped pull it all together for me is attending conferences.

Medical conferences are not just for the professionals, they’re a great place for patients too! I’ve been fortunate to attend a couple, and each one has been an overwhelming positive and empowering experience for me. I believe there are many, many benefits of attending conferences as a patient, but if I had to narrow it down, these would be my top five!

bustling activity that is the lymphatic research world. It’s important as patients to be aware of all the amazing stuff going on, and who better to hear it from than the researchers and doctors themselves? Through conference programming like panel discussions and presentations, we get a front-row seat to see the latest innovations and breakthroughs.

2 Networking with professionals

Conferences provide the unique opportunity to mix and mingle with doctors, researchers, therapists, and other health professionals from around the country—and sometimes even around the world. We’ve got tons of people in our corner who are genuinely passionate about what they do, and they work hard to better understand and treat our lymphedema. If you get talking with someone whom you find especially insightful, be sure to get their business card or contact information and ask if its alright if you reach out to them in the future with further questions that might arise after the conference.

3 Attending workshops and information sessions

recommend bringing a notebook to these because you’ll want to jot some things down.

4 Experiencing new technology

The exhibit halls at conferences are like a wonderland of new and innovative technology, treatment devices and compression products. You’ll see a lot of the familiar mainstays there too. Sometimes the exhibitors offer demos of their products so you can try out some tech out for yourself. If there’s a device or garment that piques your interest, pick up a pamphlet or write down the manufacturers’ information so you can discuss it with your lymphedema therapist or doctor when you get home.

5 Connecting with other patients

1 Learning about the latest research

As patients, we often wonder what’s being done for lymphedema. The answer? Quite a lot! Attending a conference is sort of like peeking behind a curtain and getting a look at all the

A highlight of attending conferences (especially patient-focused ones) is the educational programming. Covered topics from nutrition and exercise to risk reduction and emotional wellbeing; these sessions are an incredible resource for patients to learn skills they can apply to everyday life with lymphedema. I

Come to the conference with an open heart because you’ll be making new friends, including some you’ve previously only “met” online. There’s something truly meaningful about meeting folks who not only empathize with your experiences but who understand them too. Conferences offer a chance to spend time with fellow patients, engage in the community, and broaden your support system. Plus it’s super cool to see so many people walking around wearing compression. For once you wont feel different because of your lymphedema. Instead, you may feel a sense of belonging and comfort. How special is that?

All in all, I find conferences to be inspiring and exhilarating events if you have the opportunity to attend one, do so—you will gain so much! LP

Reprinted with permission from National Lymphedema Network – Lymphlink Summer 2018.