• The session type, topic category, and an optional secondary topic category (e.g., cardiology, infectious disease, toxicology, etc.)
• Session description (max 300 words)
• How have you demonstrated content expertise in this topic? For example, research, manuscripts, fellowship training, previous speaking or teaching in this topic area. (max 300 words)
• Learning objectives (minimum of two) (max 30 words)
• Presenter name(s), faculty listing, demographic information, and speaking experience

• Innovative and likely to stimulate interest
• Relevant to the practicing emergency physician
• Applicable to academic and community physicians
• Applicable to a national audience

• Niche topic, like those that require very specific training, practice setting, or technology
• General medical education at the resident level (except for quick refreshers on uncommon procedures or diagnoses, or lectures in the AAEM/RSA Track)
• Region-specific topics
• Narrow audience, e.g., residency program directors or ED administrators

Geriatric patients often require procedural sedation in the emergency department. These patients, many of whom have limited physiologic reserve, have numerous chronic co-morbid conditions and may be on high-risk medications, present a challenge to emergency department physicians. Primum non nocere or “first, do no harm” should always be top of mind during patient care but never is it more important than when considering the sedation of an older adult. Through case-based learning, this session will review appropriate preparatory steps and sedation pearls to ensure smooth and successful sedation for older adults in the emergency department. (from ‘Senior Sedation Suggestions: Geriatric Procedural Sedation Pearls’ by Dr. Phillip Magidson at AAEM25)

This description describes why the topic is important and relevant, then provides an outline of what the audience can expect.

You receive a call over the radio from EMS that they are bringing in a patient who is 32 weeks pregnant and was just in a high speed care accident. The patient is complaining of abdominal pain and the last blood pressure was 90/52. How do you prepare to take high quality care of this patient? What special considerations do you need to keep in mind? What controversies in care exist within this unique population? Come learn how to prepare for the assessment and care of gravid patients with traumatic injuries. (from ‘Approach to Trauma in the Gravid Patient’ by Dr. Lauren Friend at AAEM25)

This description hooks the reader with a case scenario and lists specific questions that the learner will want to find answers to.

This session will provide an overview of several topics integral to risk management and patient safety.

This description is too vague. It does not include information about the specific topics in the session. It doesn’t intrigue the reader, nor does it explain why the topic is important or helpful.

• Utilize targeted, locally effective techniques to treat pain such as nerve blocks
• Describe common tracheostomy malfunctions including obstruction, decannulation and partial displacement
• Summarize the guiding principles of caring for a sexually assaulted patient

• Know when to use a linear probe
• Learn to treat pain
• Appreciate the role of TTM for ROSC

(18 minutes speaking time followed by 2 minutes Q&A) A didactic presentation style to share topics related to emergency medicine. The most common type of session at Scientific Assembly.

(7 minutes plus 3 minutes Q&A and transition to next speaker) A “short and sweet” presentation of an emergency medicine related topic within 20 slides. A Breve Dulce talk is best suited for very specific topics or drilling down to one specific aspect of a broader topic. Most Breve Dulce lectures have two learning objectives.

(40 minutes speaking time followed by 5 minutes Q&A) The plenary session is topic focused, often highlighting literature updates or what’s new in a specific field related to emergency medicine. There are no other educational sessions held at the same time as a plenary session. Plenary sessions require content expertise and a seasoned speaker.

(45-50 minutes including audience Q&A) A moderated, deep dive discussion featuring two or three panelists. The time allotted includes an extended audience Q&A, usually 5-10 minutes.

(45-50 minutes including audience Q&A) Meeting of the Minds is a unique panel discussion that blends journal club and debate club into one engaging presentation. The session features one moderator and two content experts. The moderator begins the session with an overview of the topic. Each expert briefly presents an article, then the moderator facilitates a discussion or debate between the experts with prepared questions. The time allotted includes an extended audience Q&A, usually 5-10 minutes. This session works best with a controversial topic or new evidence that is up for debate in the EM community.

(18 minutes speaking time followed by 2 minutes Q&A) A didactic presentation on a topic that prepares residents for their careers in emergency medicine. The focus of the AAEM/RSA Track varies year to year, but usually includes clinical topics, career preparation, and ‘the missing curriculum’: the crucial knowledge not taught in residency programs. Proposals from residents are welcome.

(45 minutes) An interactive workshop that offers hands-on practice for skills or procedures. Five groups of six participants learn the content simultaneously (no audiovisuals, slides, group rotations or presentations). The Workshop Leader will recruit five facilitators (leader may be one of them) and identify sponsors.

(Full day or half day) Formerly known as pre- and post-conference courses. An opportunity to provide hands-on, interactive learning and development opportunities that are directly managed by AAEM or organized in agreement with a partner group. Times and course fees will be determined by AAEM with partner group. Course must be self-sustaining, and director(s) are responsible for recruiting their own faculty and identifying sponsors.

AAEM groups and journals can request to host a competition at Scientific Assembly. Competitions may cover research abstracts, case reports, speaking skills, or technical skills. Groups and journals are responsible for recruiting abstract reviewers and judges and developing submission and scoring criteria.

2 = Topic is highly relevant to emergency medicine
1 = Topic is relevant to emergency medicine and of modest importance
0 = Topic is not at all relevant to emergency medicine and area has limited importance

2 = Well thought out learning objectives
1 = Learning objectives are comprehensible but need improvement
0 = Unclear learning objectives

2 = Very likely to stimulate interest 
1 = Moderately likely to stimulate interest
0 = Not likely to stimulate interest