Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Conferences
Core Conferences
Pulmonary Grand Rounds
These conferences are usually presented by visiting faculty, by teleconferences with highly qualified experts, or by faculty from other divisions and departments at MU. These presentations usually provide in-depth literature review of a clinically relevant topic. The content of these conferences covers a wide range of areas in Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep medicine.
Pulmonary, Critical Care Case Conference
These conferences provide an opportunity for fellows to present current cases of interest, either as instructive cases, or for clinical input. Mostly the MU critical care fellow, the MU consult fellow and the VA fellow present cases, but any fellow or faculty member may present cases. Case presentations are followed by a brief review of pertinent recent literature on the subject.
Journal Club
During this conference, a fellow or faculty member selected in rotation, presents two current scientific papers of relevance to pulmonary or critical care medicine. The focus of this conference is careful dissection and analysis of the methods, approach, and scientific worth of the paper. The presenter is responsible for reviewing the background literature, methodology, statistical analysis, and limitations of the paper. The paper (a copy or complete reference) is made available to all faculty and staff at least one week prior to the conference. The presenting fellow is encouraged to select a faculty member to help in analysis of the paper.
Research Conference
The research conference is an opportunity for faculty and fellows to present aspects of their research work, ranging from literature review of research questions they are investigating to results of their own ongoing or completed research work. Research conferences scheduled prior to ACCP, ATS, SCCM, or other national or international meetings may be used as practice sessions for planned presentations. 
Fellows are encouraged to discuss planned presentations at least one week beforehand with their faculty advisor.
Didactic Lecture Series
This is a set of didactic lectures given by faculty on a rotating basis. The selected topics are intended to be an essential, but not exhaustive, curriculum for pulmonary disease and critical care medicine. These lectures are meant to be state-of-the-art, evidence based presentations of the assigned topics. Most of these lectures are offered at the start of the academic year and are repeated from year to year.
Basic Science Conference
These conferences highlight physiology, pharmacology, immunology, cell biology, and molecular biology as related to pulmonary and critical care and sleep medicine. In addition, research methodology, biostatistics, clinical epidemiology, continuous quality improvement, and end of life care and medical ethics are also covered in the curriculum. Basic Science Conferences are held once a month.
Multi Disciplinary Conferences
Pathology Conference
This is a monthly combined conference with the Department of Pathology. The histologic or cytologic findings of patients seen by critical care or pulmonary consult services are reviewed. Correlation is also made with the radiologic appearance and clinical history. The presenter is required to bring all pertinent radiologic studies to the conference.
Pulmonary/Thoracic Surgery Conference
This is a combined conference with the division of thoracic surgery that is held twice each month. Patient cases are presented in two formats; i) for information only, or (ii) for clinical judgment and input. Pertinent clinical and radiologic studies are presented. The focus of this conference is not only the clinical and radiologic findings but also the medical and/or surgical options for treatment. Surgical colleagues present follow up of patients discussed during the conference along with video recordings of the surgical procedures.
Radiology Conference
This is a combined conference with the Department of Radiology. Cases are reviewed with an emphasis on the radiological findings of patients currently in the ICU or under the care of pulmonary consult service. The radiologists also present cases with classic chest radiologic findings. The purpose of this conference is to enhance the ability of fellows to interpret radiologic findings, to develop a differential diagnosis, and make radiologic-pathologic-clinical correlations.
