Applied Science for Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons

Prague, March 23 – 25, 2006

International Cooperation Committee is organising a two and a half day teaching course for cardio-thoracic surgeons, centred on the practical application of modern science to our field. This course is a tutorial, consisting of introductory lectures and practical, mentored activities. Leading experts in the field will address the topics, and will be present for practical demonstrations and for work in small groups. Main topics are:

Planning, designing and analysing studies:

• Experimental studies (animal experiments, laboratory analysis, molecular biology)
• Clinical studies
• Statistical basis (sample size, significance vs. importance, etc.)
• Retrospective database studies
• Meta-analyses
• Prospective randomised studies (multi-centre studies)
• Spotting weaknesses in published material

The scientific paper

• Analysing the material: worth to publish?
• Preparing and writing: Introduction; Methods; Results: figures, tables; Discussion; Statistical considerations; References
• Searching the literature, with practical demonstrations
• Dealing with the reviewers
• Oral communication: essentials, presentation techniques, what to avoid

Special problems of science for cardio-thoracic surgeons

• Financing scientific work: government, industry, other sources?
• Eliciting help from the co-workers and other specialists
• Dealing with Ethical committee
• Legal responsibilities and protection of privacy
• Authorship of the publication: rules

Practical workshops:

How to prepare an abstract and give oral presentation from the given material

PROGRAMME AVAILABLE HERE

Further information and applications are available by clicking here . Deadline for applications is the 1st of March 2006.

Scientific programme: Jarle Vaage, MD,

Local organising committee: Jan Pirk, MD

Course organisation: Marko Turina, MD