Five early-career pain researchers are participating in the IASP-PRF Virtual Correspondents program during the IASP 2022 World Congress on Pain, taking place 19-23 September in Toronto, Canada. The IASP-PRF Virtual Correspondents program is a unique science communication training program that provides participants with knowledge and skills needed to communicate science effectively to a wide range of pain researchers, patients, and the greater public. The Correspondents will conduct interviews with pain professionals, write summaries of scientific lectures – and provide live blogging, too! Take a look at their first blog posts below.
IASP-PRF Virtual Correspondents Pre-Congress Blog Posts:
When Was the Last Time You Did Something for the First Time?
Tips on Getting the Most Out of the IASP 2022 World Congress on Pain
Pre-Conference Butterflies and Silver Linings
Game On! Teams from around the Globe Gather for the World “Cup” on Pain
When Was the Last Time You Did Something for the First Time?
A question I enjoy seeing when it appears as a notification from my meditation app is, “When was the last time you did something for the first time?” I’m delighted that I have answers to this pop quiz – “I performed single cell isolation last week,” and, “I drilled a mouse tooth today!” Aside from the question distracting me from the difficulties and stress often associated with doing something for the first time, what fascinates me is how clearly we often remember these experiences.
Now, I’m heading to the IASP 2022 World Congress on Pain to provide coverage as a PRF Correspondent and I’ll be using Twitter – all first-time experiences! Exhilarating, but also terrifying. It’s exciting to think that I will be surrounded by amazing clinicians, scientists, and advocates who speak the language of pain with different dialects for four days. I am especially happy to hear more about the translational approaches – the challenging but promising “in-between” place for the study of pain. I’m also looking forward to learning more about all of the cool “non-neuronal” cells that contribute to pain, which I find to be more perplexing.
At the same time, I’m anxious about the difficult questions I may receive during my poster presentation and the potential typo I’ll make when blogging/tweeting. I hope to meet with new people, hear their amazing stories, and have meaningful conversations (while acknowledging my introverted self!). I’m looking forward to the mindful moments along with embracing the excitement and anxiety that comes with any new experience. I know this won’t be the last time I do something for the first time.
Ozge Erdogan, DDS DMSc, recently completed her doctoral training at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, USA – @ozgeerdogan
Tips on Getting the Most Out of the IASP 2022 World Congress on Pain
I love conferences. They’re not just a time to learn and network, but also a time to step away from your bench, have fun, recharge, or maybe re-strategize before you return incredibly motivated! However, sometimes these conferences can be overwhelming. If you’re fortunate enough to be attending the IASP 2022 World Congress on Pain, you should make it a meaningful experience. Here are my top five tips to get the most out of the conference:
Set clear goals. Ask yourself, “What do I want to get out of this conference?” If you are nearing the end of your program, you’re probably focused on networking. Make a list of the top three people you want to connect with at the event. If you are a first-time attendee – and want to focus on spotting new trends and staying up-to-date with the literature – make a list of the sessions you want to attend. Utilize your scientific program and/or download the World Congress Connect app. Create realistic expectations.
Eliminate F.O.M.O. (fear of missing out). While conferences are a perfect opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and network, resist the temptation of going to every session and meeting every person. Your attendance should be intentional, and try not to lose focus of your goals. Be flexible! You might randomly meet someone who could serendipitously alter the course of your career.
Take care of yourself. The small things matter. Is there something you can eat or drink at the venue? Check for local stores nearby. Sleep. Don’t drink too much coffee (you don’t have to drink a cup during every break). Wear comfortable shoes that can endure long walks, and bring a face mask!
Give back. Not just monetarily. I mean helping other attendees navigate the conference. Some participants might be traveling alone and they don’t have their labmates to be with. Try to be inclusive and reach out to them so everyone can have a fruitful and enjoyable experience.
Follow up on your new connections. Some have business cards ready, and some have QR codes on their poster. Some follow their favorite primary investigators (PIs) or labs on Twitter and LinkedIn. You’ll be surprised how many of your favorite PIs or labs are actively communicating their work on social media. Be visible, use hashtags (#IASP2022) and join the conversation. If social media is not for you, an email is always a great idea!
Jortan O. Tun, MS, is a PhD candidate at the University of Utah, US – @JortanTun
Pre-Conference Butterflies and Silver Linings
This year has been a busy one for attending scientific conferences. Meetings are finally being held in person, which has been incredibly rewarding after two years of watching Plenary Sessions on a 13-inch screen. Virtual conferences have also raised challenges for organizers, speakers, and attendees. We are all too familiar with the periodic dips in wireless speeds, which can strongly influence our experiences. However, flying across an ocean several times a year is not feasible for everyone.
I was excited when IASP announced there would be a Virtual Program to complement the in-person meeting. This meant that I could still attend, have the opportunity to present my work, and learn about recent breakthroughs in pain research. I look forward to being inspired by renowned pain researchers and hearing multidisciplinary perspectives on how to manage the devastating impacts of pain. I’ve learned to appreciate the virtual conference format, as it allows me to scroll through posters online – at my own pace – and directly contact the presenter with questions. Online panel discussions and subsequent Q&A sessions have opened up new possibilities.
The virtual format can facilitate stimulating dialogue, and I am thankful that IASP made this incredible effort to organize a hybrid-conference. It allows me and many others to attend without having to travel around the world – and we’re even saving some trees in the process!
Paulina Scheuren, PhD, is a postdoctoral fellow at the Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland – @ScheurenPaulina
Game On! Teams from around the Globe Gather for the World “Cup” on Pain
Teams and players have organized for the biggest gathering of the year. Whereas some can travel and participate on site, others must watch from home. I could be describing the 2022 World Cup, but I’m referring to the highly anticipated IASP 2022 World Congress on Pain. Toronto, Canada, is where research teams and brilliant pain experts will reunite to discuss pain.
I’m on the “home” team this year. Although I would love to attend the World Congress in person – meet people, join the workshops, and have some coffee breaks – I’m happy to be attending online. Also, online technology has been a promising tool to make pain management more accessible.
Telehealth can provide care for people with chronic pain, especially for those living in remote areas. I’m curious to hear from pain researchers about their perceptions and experiences regarding online assessments and interventions for chronic pain. Is it effective? How does it differ from in-person care? What are the challenges for professionals and patients? I believe we’ll learn soon.
As an IASP-PRF Virtual Correspondent, I’m excited to provide coverage for PRF readers from my perspective. While World Cup teams play against each other, at the World Congress on Pain you’ll only see teams working together to achieve a shared goal.
Fernando Sousa, MRes, is a PhD candidate in the Department of Physiotherapy at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia – @fernandosouf
I’m writing this on my flight to Toronto. Definitely not because I had a lot to do before this meeting. Absolutely (probably) not – mostly because this is a relaxed moment. I didn’t miss my 11-hour flight and the airline crew didn’t have any problem with my poster tube (thank you, Air Canada! Best airline ever).
This is definitely an exciting moment – my first time at an IASP meeting after almost four years of PhD training. First year at graduate school – no data (who’s with me?). Second year – everything was great, abstract accepted – but then the world stopped. Third year – felt I was missing something in my training. Now it’s year four.
This year feels different, right? And Toronto’s wonderful! It’s the perfect atmosphere for hosting the IASP 2022 World Congress on Pain, allowing us to be a part of an already large mix of cultures and ideas, which is representative of IASP. Also, the craft beer is “as advertised.”
There is one thing in particular that excites me the most. At this meeting, I’ll be presenting our work during these years. These years of developing an idea, exploring answers, experiments, consulting patients, analyzing data (and culturing neurons!). It’s a vulnerable moment – sharing the work and being questioned (and maybe criticized). But I deeply believe it’s these moments when we become better scientists. It may be my first World Congress, but I know it’s going to be good.
Macarena Tejos-Bravo, MS, is a PhD candidate at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile in Santiago – @MacaTejosB