GENERAL INFORMATION.       The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Annual Scientific Meeting Program Committee is pleased to announce the 2009 Annual Meeting "Call for Program Proposals." We invite you to submit an application to participate in the program. The Meeting is scheduled for April 29 - May 3, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago, IL.

The AGS Meeting brings together health care professionals in multiple disciplines, with the common objective of disseminating the most up-to-date information on the special health care needs of older people. The annual meeting addresses clinical, research, ethical, academic, and public policy issues pertinent to geriatrics. In order to continue to present a current and appealing program of high quality and strong educational benefit, we need to concentrate on new areas in geriatrics, as well as on new findings on topics we have explored in the past.

Proposals containing clinical recommendations must be based on evidence that is accepted within the profession of medicine as adequate justification for their use. All scientific research referred to, reported or used in support or justification of a patient care recommendation must conform to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection and analysis.

Geriatric health care is interdisciplinary. The AGS strongly encourages program proposals that focus on interdisciplinary issues in geriatrics and that involve speakers from multiple disciplines.

The AGS also strongly encourages proposals that address clinical issues as well as cultural competence in geriatric practice.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The American Geriatrics Society is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). We continuously strive to ensure that the education activities planned and conducted by our faculty meet generally accepted ethical standards as codified by the ACCME, the Food and Drug Administration, and the American Medical Association's Guide for Gifts to Physicians.

To this end, we have implemented a process based on our interpretation of the 2004 Updated ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, wherein everyone who is in a position to control the content of an education activity has disclosed to us all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest and under which we work to resolve conflicts of interest. A commercial interest is defined by ACCME as a proprietary entity producing health care goods or services, consumed by, or used on patients.

Should the AGS determine that a conflict of interest exists as a result of a financial relationship a planner, author or faculty member may have, the AGS will resolve the conflict prior to the activity. ACCME has defined circumstances that create a conflict of interest as being those that occur when an individual has an opportunity to affect CME content about products or services of a commercial interest with which he/she has a financial relationship.

MODERATORS
Moderators designated on the proposal form will be responsible for organizing the accepted programs and for resolving any conflicts of interest that speakers on their session may have. This typically involves reviewing the slides and handout material of any speaker with a conflict to ensure that the content is well rounded and free from bias. If the moderator of a session has a conflict of interest with the overall subject matter that will be discussed during the symposium that he/she is moderating, then a "content moderator" will be assigned to the session and will be charged with resolving any speaker conflicts of interest prior to the meeting.

FORMAT.      Educational sessions are typically 1½ hours and may be in the format of symposia, workshops, meet-the-experts or pre-conference sessions clinical updates (see descriptions below). However, AGS members, committees and special interest groups are encouraged to recommend new and innovative formats such as point-counterpoint presentations, use of audience response systems, etc.
Symposia: A symposium involves 3 presentations on a subject of vital importance to a broad segment of annual meeting attendees. The panel of discussants should be limited to a moderator and no more than three speakers.
Workshops: A workshop is a hands-on session that emphasizes the exchange of ideas and the demonstration and application of techniques and skills. The audience size may be limited to accommodate the workshop format.
Meet-the-Experts: A meet-the-expert session allows attendees to discuss important topics in geriatrics with an "expert" in a small group setting. Attendence at these sessions is usually limited to 50.
Pre-conference sessions: These sessions are typically 4½ hour expanded sessions that cover current topics that impact how we care for the older adult population. Attendees pay an additional fee of $85 to attend these sessions on the day before the official start of the meeting.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
If this proposal is being submitted on behalf of an AGS Committee, Advisory Group, Special Interest Group, or the Council of State Affiliate Representatives, it should be reviewed and approved by the relevant group before submission to the program committee. Individuals who have an identified source of industry support may submit one additional application for an industry-supported session (please see below).

REVIEW PROCESS.       The Annual Scientific Meeting Program Committee will review all submitted proposals. Because of space restrictions, only a limited number of proposals will be accepted. You will be notified in early August whether or not your proposal has been accepted. The Program Committee reserves the right to modify accepted sessions.

AGS SPEAKER REIMBURSEMENT POLICY. AGS does not pay travel expenses or waive registration fees for AGS member moderators/speakers who agree to participate in the Annual Meeting unless a grant or other funding is obtained.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT THE APPLICATION FORM FOR RESEARCH ABSTRACTS FOR PAPER OR POSTER PRESENTATIONS. THE ABSTRACT FORM WILL BE AVAILABLE IN SEPTEMBER 2008 WITH A SUBMISSION DEADLINE IN EARLY DECEMBER 2008.