As I contemplated attending the LLLI Physicians Seminar in July and the ABM
meeting in September I realized that the people in charge of planning must
be mostly academic docs:  These two seminars, and past years¹ events, have
been mid-week affairs scheduled from Tuesday through Thursday.  This means
flying to Niagara Falls (an all-day trip from the Left Coast) and missing
work Monday through Friday.  Skipping a five day work week costs a
pediatrician in private practice anywhere from $15,000-$25,000 in lost
(gross) income while overhead expenses such as rent and salaries must still
be paid.  

I have discussed this issue with some of the planners‹for years‹and been
told about cheaper hotel room prices (bogus) and other things but the real
reason they¹ve finally confessed is that docs in academic positions get paid
meeting time off and don¹t want to miss weekends with their families.

If ABM, LLLI and others are sincere in wanting to reach out to pediatricians
in private practice in larger numbers, the meetings should be moved from
absurd locations like Niagara Falls on weekdays to family and
couple-friendly places on weekends.  (My wife was less than thrilled at the
idea of flying to Niagara Falls for the week.  Geez.)

Just a Saturday morning brief rant from a very interested doctor who, in
spite of doing OK, thank you, will probably miss these meetings again.

Jay

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