BSMT Symposium – Sheffield 2013
British Society Microbial Technology
Symposium
Friday 11 October 2013
Conference Evaluation Report
Microbiology of the Compromised Host
Zoe Walker; Raine Bolton & Satnam Sagoo
Education & Training Unit – Public Health England
A total of 66 delegates attended the above symposium. 57 (86%) returned a completed evaluation form; the remaining did not return a form. This evaluation report is based on the 57 returned forms
Course Content
Figure 1 shows the overall evaluation scores given for the scientific content of the day. Most (89%; 51/57) of the delegates evaluated the content and structure of the day as good and/or very good, 95% of the delegates found relevance of topics covered as good and/or very good and 93% considered the day to have mostly or fully met their expectations. Most (49/57: 86%) of the delegates said that the day would be useful or very useful to their work. Four delegates did not provide a score.
Presentations and discussion
Figure 2 shows the evaluation scores given for individual presentations and discussions. The majority of the sessions were evaluated as good and/or very good.
Conference Venue and Facilities
Figure 3 shows that the majority of the delegates evaluated the conference venue, general administration and delegate pack as good and/or very good; and where additional comments were provided, a few of the delegates suggested that more handouts of the presentations were provided in the delegate pack.
Additional Comments
Most delegates (88%; 50/57) provided additional comments a selection of these is provided below:
What was most enjoyed
Variety of speakers and topics
Illuminating to hear about microbiology from clinicians point of view
Great Scientific Programme
How the talks link into microbiology
Well structured and presented, renewed enthusiasm in subjects
Great speakers made an enjoyable day
Relevant and factual presentations
Excellent presentations and great exhibition
Useful tradeshow
Case studies – helps to re-energise our approach to sepsis
Networking and updates
Lots of space
What was least enjoyed
The Journey
Temperature of lecture theatre
Good talks but heard several before.
Location
Microphone sounds (too loud)
Hurrying of the discussion forum
Not enough seating at lunch
Where did you hear about the meeting?
Notice Board in laboratory
Previous delegate
Training officer
IBMS Magazine
Website
Other comments/suggestions for improvement
Thankyou
Will powerpoints be on website
More emphasis on laboratory diagnosis/new methods of diagnosis
Handouts for all presentations
Great topics/great venue
Nice to have a meeting in the North. Maybe Leeds in the future?
More interact dialogue post each presentation.
Handouts for ALL presentations
Excellent day – fascinated from start to finish
Great environment, sufficient space, good facilities
Suggestions for next topic
Point of care testing for microbiological diagnostics
TB/ Mycobacteria
Future of Pathology in the NHS
Automation – new ideas, evaluation, impact on future of biomedical science/career, cost implications
Antimicrobial resistance, mycobacterial infections
HIV related infections
Meningitis related infections
When does a commensal become a Pathogen, when does a Pathogen become a Commensal
C. difficile
Does the “New” future of pathology affect the clinician?
Improving TB techniques
STI’s
Microarrays
Virology
Molecular significance in diagnosis
Lyme disease
Parasites lectoparasites
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