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STAYING ON THE CUTTING EDGE AND AVOIDING THE BLEEDING EDGE

To the Editor:-As technology abounds we are all faced with the opportunity and proposition to forge ahead in our specific disciplines. Audiovisual technology is the mainstay of education in the world, and the paradigm of photo- graphic slides and a standup lecture has remained un- changed for the greater portion of this century. Therefore, it was with great interest that I observed that the directors of the American Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons passed down a dictum that as of the year 2000, only computerized lectures can be presented at their official meetings. The specialty of orthodontics has also pushed ahead into the digital age, and dedicates regular space in Z&e Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics to computers in dentistry.

I applaud these pioneering organizations that will literally force new technology on their members, although this may be met with resistance, especially from presenters that do not want to peruse the significant workload of digitizing their “canned” lectures that they have been presenting for decades. Once a lecture is in a digital format, it is amazingly simple to change, update, enhance, and otherwise improve the existing lecture. I personally presented three separate computerized presentations at the recent AAOMS meeting and was able to incorporate articles pertinent to my topics that arrived at my home that very day. With my laptop and digital camera, I was able to offer the audience absolutely new data that would have been impossible with a conven- tional slide lecture.

Basically, “cutting-edge technology” is defined as what is new and proven; “bleeding-edge technology” is the abso- lute newest technology, which sometimes may be unreli- able. Although computerized presentations are a norm in business and in teaching environments, they still remain underutilized in most of medicine and dentistry. The 80th

Annual Meeting of AAOMS was significant because of the record number of digitized presentations. That part was “cutting edge.” The “bleeding edge” problems occurred when the compatibility of the digital data projectors at the convention center was somewhat antiquated. (This was no fault of the AAOMS staff, who were extremely accommodat- ing in providing equipment and were attentive to compatibil- ity problems.) I was able to adjust to most of the compatibil- ity problems, but unfortunately witnessed several participants who had worked for many hours on a quality presentation, only to have their computer crash.

Anyone lecturing “on the edge” needs to take special precautions. Several years ago, when I became “digital,” I would make a back up slide presentation just in case there was a computer glitch. As technology improved, I elimi- nated the slides, but would take two computers and two projectors to important presentations. My experience and confidence have grown, but anyone who is truly reliant on audiovisual media needs to be prepared for the worst. My advice is to call in advance and inquire about the projector make and model, the connections, and the resolution compatibility. Also, if possible, this should be checked on a similar model in your hometown. Secondly, always back up your presentations on a permanent medium. In the event of computer failure, you can borrow or rent a computer. I personally back up all lectures on CD-ROM for this reason. (Incidentally, it is a blessing carrying your 500 slide lecture in your shirt pocket instead of lugging a duffel bag of carousels through the airport.) Finally, I still bring two laptop computers to critical presentations, or at least call ahead to make sure one is available in a crisis.

Despite these potential problems, I urge all doctors to take the digital plunge. Although initially more work, your ability to reach the audience will be greatly enhanced.

JOSEPH NL~MTLI III, DDS Richmond, VA