Engaging or Deterring the Next Generation? An Analysis of Fees for Cardiac Surgery Conferences

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Medical Education
• Global Health Equity

Background:

• Academic conferences are crucial for knowledge exchange in cardiac surgery.
• Financial barriers disproportionately affect trainees, low-income individuals, and attendees from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• Understanding these financial barriers is essential for improving conference accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate registration fees for international cardiac surgery conferences.
• To identify potential financial barriers for diverse attendee groups.
• To inform strategies for enhancing conference inclusivity.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of registration fees for 2022-2023 international cardiac surgery conferences.
• Categorization of fees based on career stage and society membership.
• Collection of data on subspecialty, location, discounts, and virtual attendance options.

Main Results:

• Seventeen conferences were analyzed, with discounts available for students, residents, and fellows.
• Fees for society member students ranged from $0-$390 (median $15).
• Fees for society member residents/fellows ranged from $0-$795 (median $200), and staff fees ranged from $200-$802 (median $545).
• Only 23.5% of conferences offered explicit discounts for LMIC attendees; 29.4% had virtual options.

Conclusions:

• Substantial conference fees persist for trainees and LMIC participants.
• Lower incomes and purchasing power create significant financial burdens.
• Conferences must actively reduce financial barriers for equitable opportunities.