Work

Shifting trends in conference content of Euroanaesthesia congress: a retrospective longitudinal analysis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: International medical congresses play a central role in defining research priorities and shaping academic visibility. However, mechanisms through which scientific topics and speakers gain prominence over time remain poorly understood. We aimed to assess temporal changes in scientific content and faculty composition at Euroanaesthesia congress, over an 11-year period. This study is a cross-sectional descriptive study analyzing the scientific program of Euroanaesthesia between 2016 and 2026. Primary outcome was thematic distribution of sessions over time. Secondary outcomes included proportion of faculty gender and geographic representation. A total of 1376 sessions were analyzed. Over the 11-year study period, the scientific program demonstrated a clear shift in thematic focus. Sessions related to general anesthesia declined significantly (from 17.5% to 1.9%), while those addressing devices and technology, and sustainability, increased, particularly after 2020. In parallel, female representation increased significantly, with female speakers rising from 19.9% in 2016 to near parity by 2022 (OR 1.16/year, p < 0.001), with similar trends among session chairs. Geographic representation remained predominantly European, with no significant temporal change. Over the study period, the Euroanaesthesia program has shown a broadening in thematic scope and a more balanced speaker representation, while remaining predominantly European. These trends may offer a useful perspective on the evolving priorities of the specialty and could inform future work on the direction of anaesthesiology.

Source: Journal of Anesthesia Analgesia and Critical Care

DOI: 10.1186/s44158-026-00445-0