One of the main, and most enjoyable, missions of the American Venous Forum is education. To this end, there are a variety of yearly options to choose from across the country that are aimed at many levels of experience in the care of patients with venous disorders. The AVF hosted two outstanding and very successful venous educational events this past September.
The Comprehensive Venous Management for the Practicing Clinician was held at the Renaissance Hotel in Chicago, September 29 - October 1. More than 50 participants with varying levels of venous experience gathered for two days of interaction and education on a variety of complex venous topics. This unique, hands-on course provided attendees a small group setting which encouraged questions and discussion of challenging cases. The participants were a combination of providers and their assistants, including physician and medical assistants, and ultrasound technologists.
Didactics, case-based review, and hands-on workshops were delivered by many experts in the field of venous disease. Industry representatives were available to discuss various products and provide information and instruction to the attendees. Organized and chaired by AVF member Dr. Patrick Muck, the Chicago Vein Forum was a resounding success with many positive comments about the format, adherence to guidelines, and the evidence-based rationale for recommendations.
One participant said, “The discussions of new alternative treatment modalities was all encompassing” and another that “I enjoyed this conference the most of all the conferences I have previously attended. The staff was truly interested in sharing their knowledge and experience. All were very friendly and approachable."
AVF provided a program titled, Advancing the Treatment of Venous Disease - Addressing Challenges and Controversies in Vein Treatment with top experts in venous disease in Monterey, California on September 8-10. This meeting, organized and chaired by Dr. Daniel Monahan, was held in the world-class Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa. This venue is regarded as one of the most beautiful places on the California coast with sea lions, otters, pelicans, Pebble Beach, the 17-Mile Drive, the Aquarium, and more.
As with the Chicago meeting, participation was robust. More than 50 participants viewed perspectives from an international panel of expert faculty on current treatment, controversies, and challenges in vein treatment. In its second year, West Coast Vein Forum grew organically to provide an educational opportunity directed toward physicians in the western states.
In this course, the registrants are clinicians who actively provide basic treatment of venous disease, but are seeking a unique opportunity to expand their knowledge in recognizing and treating a broader scope of vein disorders. The small-group setting allowed attendees to focus on challenges and controversies in venous disease treatment, with in-depth discussion on how different experts manage difficult or unusual patient presentations in the absence of clear consensus. When asked what they learned that will help with their current practice, one attendee said, “Greater perspectives on presentation and treatment alternatives in patients with vein disease.” One non-physician participant said, “As a vascular ultrasound technologist, I was able to tie the venous disease and its treatment to my ultrasounds.”
The 2017 AVF education cycle is well into the planning stages, with a fall Vein Forum planned in the beautiful setting of Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe on September 8-9. More details forthcoming! As always, we will review the feedback from all participants including faculty, learners, and our industry partners. We strive to provide education that is relevant to today’s vein care physicians and staff in a comfortable relaxed setting that is conducive to networking, interactions, and learning experiences.
