TCT Takes Paperless to a New Level

San Francisco, CA—By distributing tablets to attendees, TCT reinvents the medical conference.

For the first time in its history, TCT is going completely paperless and distributing tablet computers to all paid registrants for the full TCT week, a decision that reflects its 25-year history of forward thinking and innovation not only in the field of interventional cardiology but also in education.

“We wanted to make a statement that we are looking to advance not just medicine but the technology that we use to educate physicians,” said Josh Hartman, director of educational services and strategic relations at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation. “Once we had the idea of distributing tablets to all the physicians, it just made sense to go paperless.”

Johnnie White, executive director of the CRF Center for Education at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation, highlighted another benefit to the new format. “You’re able to have access to the most up-to-date content for the TCT program,” he said, noting that the app will be updated frequently to keep pace with events during the conference.

Going paperless is not a new idea when it comes to medical conferences. Many physicians have likely attended a conference with information available online. However, these meetings rely on the attendees to have a tablet, computer, or smartphone to access that information. 

Information at fingertips

At TCT 2013, instead of a bulky conference bag stuffed full of programs, calendars, abstracts, and agendas, each attendee will receive a Samsung Galaxy Tab^®3 8” tablet preloaded with all of the information needed to successfully navigate the conference. 

“The tablet will be available as if you bought it at one of the big-box stores,” Hartman said. “Attendees can personalize the device and add whatever apps they want.”

Attendees are welcome to use their own mobile devices—there will be downloadable Android and iOS versions of the app. They also may take part in our ‘loaner program,’ White added. “We understand that a number of physicians from outside the United States cannot accept the tablets due to guidelines. Therefore, we’ll provide them with a TCT tablet to use throughout the week, and they can return it to us at the end of the conference.”

Unlike program and abstract books, which are used for a few days and then typically discarded, the TCT tablet will serve as a year-round educational tool that not only reduces waste but also enhance learning.

In addition to the traditionally preloaded apps like an Internet browser and e-mail, TCT will be preloading two applications onto each tablet for the convenience of attendees:

The New TCT App: This app provides attendees the ability to view and search the TCT program, plan their schedule, claim CME credits, navigate the Moscone Center, communicate with other attendees, take notes and much more.

TCTMD app: This app provides attendees with mobile access to slide presentations from every recent TCT as well as the library of content from the TCTMD Website, including daily news, journal summaries, conference coverage and CME programming.

Importantly, TCT and CRF will not be collecting any data from the tablet, and advertisements will only be visible within the preloaded apps. 

“There will be no real sponsorship associated with the tablet and a limited amount of advertising and sponsorship associated with the apps,” said Hartman, who added that the distribution of the tablets is definitely coming at a cost for the conference, but one that conference leaders feel is worthwhile.  

Tech savvy

Attendees who take full advantage of everything the TCT tablets have to offer will be ushered into an interactive and informative conference experience.

“They can use their tablet as part of an audience response system and as a means to communicate with session presenters, moderators and other attendees or find where they are going in the exhibit hall with an interactive exhibit map,” Hartman said. 

The tablet also will allow attendees to tally the number of CME hours they have accrued at the meeting and have a certificate sent verifying the credits. 

If attendees arrive at the conference with their own tablet, they can download the apps through iTunes and Google Play. 

TCT is providing technical support for the tablets on the second floor of the West building, as well as at multiple kiosks located throughout the convention center. Finally, if paper is absolutely needed, attendees can print out programs at print kiosks located throughout the Moscone Center. 

“We will be surveying people online about the tablets conceptually as well as about the distribution of the tablets,” Hartman said. “We hope that the tablet makes a bold statement during the 25th anniversary of TCT.”