The dilemma of International Pediatric Congresses in Europe: starting the debate.

ational and international medical congresses are an integral part of continuous professional development for health scientists and clinicians. Two publications, however, have raised considerable concern about their value or whether they aremerely “a profitmaking enterprise.”Medical congresses are becoming larger, more luxurious, and expensive, and, as a result, their cost-benefit ratiomay be decreasing. This review discusses the future of international pediatric congresses and how they can contribute to the education of pediatricians. The European Paediatric Association leadership outlines how the challenges may be tackled by using innovative strategies for future pediatric congresses.