Session formats

Here you can find brief descriptions of the various session types and formats that will be present at ECCMID 2022.

Keynote Lectures target a broad audience. The speakers are leaders in their fields and present an excellent review of a specific topic to a broad audience (specialists and non-specialists). Topics should be such that introduce cutting edge science or “hot” topics in Clinical Microbiology or Infectious Diseases.

Structure:

60’ talk

1 speaker

2 chairpersons

Interviews feature two experts taking the role of interviewer and interviewee and discussing current experience and future challenges in Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases. Interviewer and interviewee may be known to have a different opinion on a specific topic or to have taken different approaches to tackle a similar situation.

Structure:

60’ talk

2 speakers from different countries

These symposia convene renowned speakers from all over the world and cover a wide range of topics in the fields of clinical microbiology, infectious diseases and infection control. Symposia can give an overview over recent developments and research results, review the literature or present as pro/con debates; the latter being typically a 1-hour Symposium.

Structure:

1-hour Symposium

2 talks (30’ each)

2 speakers from two different countries

2 chairpersons

2-hour Symposium

4 talks (30’ each)

4 speakers from at least three different countries

2 chairpersons

These sessions involve two speakers (named “Experts”) and target an audience of about 50-60 participants. The topics have practical relevance. The session allows an extensive discussion with the experts and includes the exchange of personal views, direct interaction, discussion of cases and experiences on a matter.

Structure:

2 speakers from two different countries delivering short talks followed by discussion and audience engagement on a common topic.

Educational Workshops contain review talks and/or case studies that lend themselves to discussions. The goal of this format is education through interactivity. Workshops can also involve case discussions and be interactive.

Structure:

3 talks (30’ each) + 30’ discussion

3 speakers from three different countries

2 chairpersons

The ECCMID Programme Committee is evaluating also the possibility of 3-4 hours Educational Workshops.

ECCMID features three “Year in…” sessions: Year in Clinical Microbiology, Year in Infection Control and Year in Infectious Diseases. Those sessions are usually very well-attended 1-hour Symposia with two 25’ talks followed by a panel discussion during which speakers are invited to review recent literature on the topic. You can find out more information and the selected publications in Spring 2022 here.

The very popular Clinical Grand Round pits the wits of 6 internationally renowned physicians against 7 difficult clinical cases involving patients with infectious diseases. It is co-sponsored by the Infectious Disease Society of America. In a 2-hour session, cases are presented by trainee ID physicians from Europe and USA, and discussed with the senior Professors. The presenting trainees and their cases are selected in a competitive process in the months leading up to the Congress. You can view more information on the Clinical Grand Rrounds at ECCMID 2022 here.

Open Forums are held throughout ECCMID in open spaces (arenas) where speakers discuss with the audience ideas and views on a particular issue. Details on Open Forums will follow later in 2021.

Virtual Walk Through poster sessions are meant to review the most interesting abstracts which were selected for poster sessions on a specific topic.
This session is 1-hour long and will take place in Arenas. A moderator will give a short presentation of around 20 min, presenting the scientific background of the session topic. Afterwards, up to ten selected posters will be presented by a reviewer during the following 20 min. The session will be closed by an informal discussion between moderator, reviewer, and the audience.
Authors of the presented poster will be invited to participate, but their presence is not mandatory.