Medical congresses: do they really impact the training of health professionals?

Medical congresses: do they really impact the training of health professionals?

Medical congresses play an important role in the updating, training, and education of doctors and dentists around the world. In 2012, an editorial article published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) estimated that around 10,000 medical congresses were held per year. The author posed a critical reflection on the relationship between the costs and benefits of these events. While acknowledging that the volume of meetings and associated expenses could seem high, he also pointed out that many of these congresses are invaluable spaces for updating on new technologies, sharing complex clinical experiences, and disseminating advances that can have a direct impact on medical practice.

And this is confirmed by thousands of health professionals who attend these spaces every year. In them, not only are new diagnostic and therapeutic tools explored, but a collaboration among colleagues that transcends specialties is also generated. They are, furthermore, the best classroom for those who are in training, because there, the classroom becomes the real world and learning comes directly from experience.

In addition, in these spaces, it is common for different companies, whether in pharmaceuticals, medical technologies, or innovations, among others, to exhibit their new advances and services that can be applied to professional practice. That is to say, a commercial exhibit is also added to the academic agenda. With this vision, Automatia Bot, our startup for automation and solutions in health technology, marketing, e-commerce, and cybersecurity, will participate for the first time in the 2025 HDA Annual Meeting & Student Regional Conference, the annual event of the Hispanic Dental Association (HDA) that brings together Hispanic dental professionals and students or those with an interest in the Hispanic community. This meeting will feature a robust academic agenda, international speakers, and spaces designed for future dentists. For those in training, this type of congress is key: it is not only about learning about updates in clinical practices but also about understanding firsthand the technologies that are transforming the profession, discovering new perspectives, and strengthening professional networks that will last a lifetime.

How is the doctor of the future formed?

While medicine and dentistry continue to be careers taught in a traditional manner with lectures, in-person classes, and a strong practical foundation, today there are new tools that are beginning to play a fundamental role in professional training and practice. Why? The answer is simple: the health field also evolves and updates. Although teaching remains rigorous and academic, there are emerging practices and technologies that must be learned not only from a clinical perspective but also from their impact on the organization, management, and patient experience.

This is where learning to use digital tools becomes crucial. Their use can mark the difference between a doctor or dentist with a solid practice, recognition, and satisfied patients, and another who falls behind in the face of environmental changes. An example of this is that, just speaking of the digital presence of health professionals, a 2023 study of 2,045 people revealed that 82% of users consider it important for their health professional to have active social media. Many professionals in the sector already recognize that a digital presence is invaluable for their medical practice.

The doctor of the future is not only updated in clinical knowledge but also in those tools that optimize their practice, keep them connected with their colleagues, and improve their service. In this context, medical and dental congresses become even more relevant, because they concentrate in one place the knowledge of clinical practice from other health professionals and the contributions of experts in technology, innovation, and management.

Furthermore, it is no longer solely about what the professional wants to learn, but about what the patient expects to receive. Nowadays, it is increasingly common for patients to be aware of new techniques, be informed about the latest generation devices or treatments, and seek immediacy, clarity, and quality in their care. These users are the so-called Patient 4.0: younger people who prefer their healthcare and communication with their provider to occur through digital channels. This is evidenced in a Pew Research Center study, which revealed that the majority of U.S. adults (70%) seek medical information online, and that almost eight out of ten (77%) begin their search on an engine like Google. The needs of the current patient are shaping professional practice, demanding a much broader level of preparation than just a few years ago.

That is why being at the forefront is not a luxury, it is a responsibility. And on that path, Automatia Bot decided to participate in the 2025 HDA Annual Meeting & Student Regional Conference. This congress will be a meeting point for students and professionals committed to the present and future of dentistry. At Automatia Bot, we are convinced that the transformation of health is built with knowledge, technology, and dedication. And that is why we will be there. We will be waiting for you to talk about new automation solutions for your office or clinic, discuss building your digital presence, and provide you with the support you require in the area of health marketing.