Jurnal Internasional Afrika vol.9 issue.3 2019
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Disparity in conference registration cost for delegates from low- and middle- income backgrounds

Jurnal Internasional Afrika vol.9 issue.3 2019
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Disparity in conference registration cost for delegates from low- and middle- income backgrounds

Parity
Health expenditures
Critical care
Emergency medicine
Fellowships and scholarships
Conference

Background: Better access for clinicians from low- and middle-income countries to international conferences can
improve collaborative opportunities and subsequently address the knowledge gap between the weaker and

stronger knowledge economies. A better understanding of the cost of international conferences may help con-
ference organisers improve access to their conferences. This study aimed to describe the expense-associated

barriers to a selection of international emergency medicine and critical care conferences, in terms of registration
cost and out-of-pocket expense.
Methods: A cross sectional, retrospective design was used. Registration cost variables (cost, waivers, discounts

and scholarships) were collected from a cohort of international emergency medicine and critical care con-
ferences held during 2016. The World Health Organization Purchasing Power Parity index was then applied to

calculate an equitable registration cost for delegates from South Africa, Brazil, Turkey, China, Australia,
Germany and the United States for each conference.
Results: Twenty conferences were included. Eight conferences (36%) offered discounted rates, and another eight
offered scholarships for low- and middle-income country delegates. Calculated, equitable registration rates were
2.6, 1.9, 1.9, 1.7, 0.9, 1.1 times lower than quoted respectively for South Africa, Brazil, Turkey, China, Australia
and Germany compared to the rate in United States dollar. Only one conference provided equitable registration
rates for all test-countries.
Discussion: Current international conference registration costs (despite discounts, waivers and scholarships) are
likely a barrier to including low- and middle-income delegates in the educational, networking and promotional
opportunities that conferences provide. Conference organisers should consider restructuring registration costs to
encourage more representative international audiences.

Parity
Health expenditures
Critical care
Emergency medicine
Fellowships and scholarships
Conference

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.afjem.2019.01.016

30 January 2019

peri irawan

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