In
November of 2004, the Duke Clinical Medicine Series began with
the first broadcast of the Cardiovascular Cath Lab Conference,
created and hosted by Dr. Peter Berger. This televised lecture
series provided live, interactive medical education conferences
to hospitals and individuals across North America by satellite
broadcast, and across the globe via the Internet. Prestigious
speakers from around the world were sought to address cutting-edge
topics during the conferences, which were broadcast from the Duke
Clinical Research Institute studio in Durham, North Carolina.
This innovative approach to CME was chosen to provide an alternative
to the prohibitive costs of attending traditional conferences
in remote cities. Also, given the limited number of engagements
speakers could accept in a given year, the series helped provide
greater access to presentations from thought leaders in interventional
cardiology. Smaller hospitals, especially those with limited resources,
could now take advantage of the same educational opportunities
available to larger institutions.
Continuing this distinctly populist approach, the Duke Clinical
Medicine Series expanded In September 2005 to include four new conferences: Acute Coronary Syndromes, Endocrinology, Heart
Failure, and Nephrology. A Gastroenterology conference will begin
in January of 2006, with more to follow.
Each
one-hour program centers on a presentation by a distinguished
guest speaker and the conference host, a Duke faculty member.
In addition, most programs open with a case presentation by a
Duke fellow who, together with
the guest speaker, discusses the case in light of the evidence-based
presentation. Following the discussion,
the floor is opened to questions from the audience.
Each conference emphasizes interactivity: viewers of the live
program can email or phone in with questions during the program,
adding to questions from the studio audience. This participatory
forum also includes answers to questions received from viewers
of the archived versions of previous programs. These programs
present the results of recent clinical trials and other timely
subjects of clinical relevance. Lively exchanges between the host
and guest speaker make for an appealing and fast-paced hour.
Conferences appear on a regular schedule and are available live
for both satellite and internet viewing. Complete archives are
also available at DukeClinMedSeries.dcri.duke.edu or DCRI.org for on-demand viewing with
high-speed computer connections. All programs
are CME accredited.
The Communications Group at the Duke Clinical Research Institute was started in 1992 and encompasses editorial and writing services, graphic design, production, the American Heart Journal editorial office, event planning, project coordination, web development and maintenance, and videography and video streaming services. The Communications staff ensures that all DCRI communications are clear, consistent, accurate, and high-quality. They coordinate the production of trials materials, manuscripts for publication in books or journals, slide presentations, and DCRI and clinical trials promotional materials.
The Duke Clinical Medicine Series originated at the DCRI and is managed by the Communications Group. Many of the media, editorial, events, web, and videography professionals in the Communications group play prominent roles in the production and broadcasting of the Duke Clinical Medicine Series. Video production services are provided by the Medical Video Group within Duke University Media Services.
Each of the Conferences in the Duke Clinical Medicine Series is supported by unrestricted educational grants from pharmaceutical and device companies. Supporters can be found by going to the bottom of the home page of each Conference's web site and clicking on 'Commercial Support'.
To contact the Duke Clinical Medicine Series, please send us an email.
