Staying Focused

As I’m scrambling to tie up loose ends at work before leaving for a conference or other professional meeting, I always find myself asking the same question: Do I really have time to attend this conference? The answer is almost always no, but when I return home I’m often grateful for having had the opportunity.

This year’s Focus on Respiratory Care and Sleep Medicine Conference in San Diego was well worth the pre-trip frenzy. I attended a full-day Sleep Educator course in the good company of engaged RPSGTs, nurses, nurse practitioners and DME providers. Topics included an overview of Sleep Disordered Breathing, how to interpret a sleep report, adult learning principles and PAP set-up and follow-up. Many of the attendees expressed interest in a credentialing exam for this subspecialty. The speakers were top-notch – from Dr. Barbara Phillips to Dr. Nareesh Dewan to Ed Grandi and Robin Woidtke, RN, RPSGT. At the end, all participants received a clinical and patient tool kit provided on a thumb drive. Kudos to Robin Woidtke for organizing such an excellent seminar!

The BRPT booth was busy with lots of techs asking good questions about RPSGT recertification, what’s happening legislatively in specific states, and of course, concern expressed about the ABSM exam.

With 1,700 attendees, Focus is a good opportunity to network with other techs, therapists and vendors. It’s a terrific bargain with a low registration fee and many continuing education credits available. The combination of education and entertainment made the pre-trip scramble a distant memory.

Janice East, RPSGT, R. EEG T.
BRPT President