2009 Medicine In Challenging Environments (MICE) Conference
"Survival in the Extreme"
2-6 February 2009
The Galveston Island Convention Center
At the San Luis Resort
Galveston , Texas

Overview

This unique conference is designed for physicians and other health professionals interested in the practice of medicine in unusual, exotic and/or dangerous environments. Speakers at the conference will include top experts in the fields of space, aviation, extreme sports, weapons of mass destruction, undersea, military, motorsport, mountaineering, and diving medicine. This conference was born out of a marriage between UTMB’s Pushing the Envelope conference which challenged our ideas of the limits of medicine and the US Army and US Coast Guard Operational Aeromedical Problems courses which applied practical education to the operational environment in military aviation. The MICE philosophy is centered on the idea of cross-pollinating experiences and lessons learned from medicine in various extreme and challenging environments. Recognizing, that there are revelations in one environment which may serve as an appropriate analog environment for another, the science and operational relevance come together to synergize in such a way as to advance the practice of medicine in all of these environments. This conference provides a unique opportunity to share breakthroughs and pitfalls and build a shared professional community of medical practitioners in these unusual settings. The program is built to provide an operationally relevant and provocative educational experience with activities designed to build teamwork and camaraderie amongst the multi-disciplinary team of MICE practitioners.

Historically, attendees have had opportunities to engage in activities ranging from a 5K Fun Run to aerobatic flying in a Pitts Special to competitive high performance go-kart racing and rock-climbing. MICE-ers have learned to come prepared to get their hands (and feet) dirty, so you may want to throw a pair of running shoes and hiking boots in your bag! Come prepared to learn and have a good time, and bring a tall stack of business cards, because you never know who you may meet.

Poster Session And Aeromedical Grand Rounds

Present your scientific work at our first annual poster session. This year we are also opening the Aeromedical Grand Rounds session to abstracts. Format is 15-minute case presentations which highlight an Aeromedical decision-making process. Followed by a 5-minute Q&A. Presentations should include standard clinical case discussions followed by a brief discussion of Aeromedical decision-making and implications involved in the case. For more information: click here.

Objectives

• Describe key medical knowledge for practicing in several challenging environments and the impact of telemedicine in these environments.
• Become familiar with new Aeromedical policies and updates and how they apply to the deployed environment.
• Understand recent medical research from the aviation, space, motorsport, undersea, high altitude and other challenging medical environments.

Educational Benefits / Continuing Medical Education

The conference attempts to maximize its value by partnering with multiple organizations to provide the attendee credit towards professional qualifications and requirements:

	Continuing Medical Education (CME). This activity has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 37.50 Prescribed credits by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
	American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). This activity has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 37.50 Prescribed credits by the American Academy of Family Physicians. for membership sustainment requirements in the academy.
	American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM). The ABPM’s Enhancing Professional Improvement and Quality (EPIQ) program leads to renewal of certification every ten years. Portions of MICE will be approved for Lifelong Learning Credit for the ABPM (Maintenance of Certification or MOC). MICE is approved for up to 24 hours of ABPM MOC credit. In order to enter your credits for attendance at the PTE/MICE conference, the ABPM requires that you submit your Enhancing Professional Improvement and Quality (EPIQ) ID number. You would have received an EPIQ ID from the ABPM and will be able to be tracked credits at the ABPM web site. http://www.abprevmed.org/
	The Wilderness Medical Society (WMS). MICE has been approved for credit by the WMS Academy’s Registry of Wilderness Medicine Practitioners and Fellowship Program (FAWM). The number of approved credits toward the FAWM is pending. For more information visit: http://www.wms.org/default.asp

Special Event: Orienteering

In keeping with our theme for 2009, “survival in the extreme,” MICE will be a hosting an Orienteering meet for our attendees at the Challenger 7 Memorial Park on Wednesday, February 4, 2009. Registration is $10 per person. All levels of experience are encouraged to attend.

What is Orienteering? - In orienteering, you use a map and compass to locate a series of points shown on a specialized topo map, choosing routes - on or off trail - that will help you find all the points and get to the finish in the shortest amount of time. Each point, or "control", is a distinctly mapped feature, such as a stream junction or hilltop, and is marked with an orange-and-white flag, or "bag". In order to prove that you have visited a control, you use a punch hanging from the bag to mark your control card (which is given to you when you register on the day of the event). The patterns of the punches vary, and each course will have its own unique set of punches.

Most events use staggered starts, to help ensure that you get to navigate on your own without interference. The route you take between controls is up to you. You select which way of traveling between controls will be the most efficient for you.

The element of route choice is what makes orienteering a mental challenge. It is not enough to simply be able to move faster than other orienteers; you must out-think them as well. Because of this, Orienteering is often called the "thinking sport" because it involves map reading and quick decision-making in addition to athletic ability.

What to bring to an orienteering meet:
The only piece of equipment you really need to go orienteering is your brain. However, the following may also be useful:

• Compass: Helps you orient the map to North and take bearings. A simple Silva style base-plate compass works best. You can buy one for about $10 at Wal-mart or the PX.
• Suitable footwear: Light hiking boots or running shoes. For advanced courses, studded shoes such as baseball or soccer shoes are recommended for traction on steep slopes. A comfortable pair of combat boots works well.
• Clothing: Dress as you would normally for a hike that might take you through some brushy areas. The beginner's course (White) generally sticks to trails, but other courses may go through fields and forests. Whatever you wear should breathe well. BDU pants and a T-shirt work well.
• Water/snacks: Water is almost always available, but you might want to bring your own for convenience and to drink on the course. Camelbaks are a good idea if you have one. Energy bars or gels (e.g. Power Bar) are essential for longer courses.

Special Event: 5K Fun Run on the Galveston Seawall

(6:15-7:30 AM)
Join us for an exciting run along the beautiful Galveston seawall. Cost includes a T-Shirt & refreshments. Please come dressed appropriately to participate in a 3-5K run.

Hurricane Ike Update

As you may be aware Hurricane Ike hit the Gulf Cost in September 2008. Our conference management and program chairman have been in communication with the Hilton Galveston Island to ensure your conference experience in Galveston is enjoyable. They have assured us that cleanup efforts being underway and by the hotel and the city of Galveston in order to insure that the conference’s success. They are pleased to report that the hotel suffered minimal damage of which were mostly cosmetic.
For more information:
» San Luis Resort Update
» Minimal Damages to Galveston Island

Disclaimer:

Advertisements, promotions, statements and logos are those of The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) Aerospace Medicine Residency and the TRUE Research Foundation or other organizations participating in this event. The US Army and US Coast Guard neither states nor implies any endorsement, association or recommendation with regard to these organizations.