INTEM 2002: A Faculty Perspective

INTEM 2002, India’s first international conference on Emergency Medicine and Disaster Preparedness was a great success. The conference was held from October 25th to 27th, in Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh. The 30 international faculty came from all over the United States and from Singapore. INTEM was attended by 700 delegates from over 10 countries including India, Singapore, Korea, USA, Iran, Canada, the UK and Trinidad.

Hosts:
SEMI (Society of Emergency Medicine, India),
AAEMI
North-Shore LIJ System (New York)
Apollo Group of Hospitals (Hyderabad)
There were over 116 hours of lectures and workshops
Maximum of 24 Category 1 CME credits

INTEM 2002 has attracted the attention of several public and private organizations. ACEP was well represented among the faculty in the person of Drs. James Holliman, Tamara Thomas, and others. Many of the faculty were also from AAEM and AAEMI (American Academy for EM in India).

There were 55 oral and poster presentations of original research that were of exemplary quality, drawing prizes for best oral and poster presenter, and best young investigator. The six workshops conducted (X-rays, EKG’s, Vascular Access, Regional Anesthesia, Splinting and Airway). We received several suggestions to expand the workshops to full day sessions so that more people could attend. Dr. George Abraham was able to conduct an ACLS Provider course 2 days before the conference. There were 104 registrants

Traditionally, efforts to gain recognition for Emergency Medicine as a specialty in India have met with resistance and inertia. As a result of the live panel discussions held between key officials of medical colleges and experts on International EM from around the world, a commitment was made to promote Emergency Medicine as a specialty in India.

On the first night of the conference, under a clear starry night and to the strains of soft music, the US faculty were the guest of honor at a dinner on the lawn and helipad of Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad. They were introduced and brought onstage individually to receive gifts of appreciation. If we thought that such pomp and fuss was going to be the last, we were mistaken. Our hosts found the opportunity to grace the faculty again in a charming ceremony of garlands, showers of petals and to apply sacred red powder to everyone’s forehead. Also during the conference, to the horror of some and the amusement of most, Dr Asif Ali staged a live demonstration of venomous and non-venomous snakes of India, within petting / striking distance of the audience.

In keeping with the local flavor of fun and camaraderie in India, we piled ourselves 6 or 7 people into a car built for 5 to go shopping for pearls, gold jewelry, saris and local handicrafts. Some tried the sweets and refreshments in the local bazaars and marketplaces and there was no shortage of temples and monuments to visit as we re-lived the joys and sufferings of the empires that went before us in this ancient city.

Throughout their stay at the Viceroy Hotel the faculty were treated to comfortable accommodations and first class service. The staff mysteriously figured out just when and where to capture the right person with a surprise cake, bouquet of flowers, cards and gifts to celebrate with a personal touch, the birthdays and wedding anniversaries among us.

Organizing Committees

Organizing Secretary
Dr K Hari Prasad (India)

Co-Chairman Academic Committee
Dr Kumar Alagappan (USA)
Dr Suresh David (India)

Program Coordinators
Dr Ratna Jagathi (India)
Dr Indrani Sheridan (USA)