28 October, 2025
Just over one month remains to take advantage of the RFMV Conference 2026 early-bird registration discount. Ahead of the early-bird deadline, we caught up with Dr Rebecca D’Cruz (Early-Career Representative – ERS Assembly 2: Respiratory intensive care) to learn more about the skills and knowledge early-career professionals can expect to gain by attending, the RFMV sessions and topics she is most excited about, and her advice for first-time attendees.
Why is the RFMV Conference important for early-career professionals?
RFMV is a wonderful opportunity to meet colleagues and extend your networks in a friendly and accessible meeting. The faculty and attendees are all likeminded and specialise in mechanical ventilation, and the smaller size of the meeting (as compared to the ERS Congress) means that it is much easier to introduce yourself to experienced clinicians and researchers, as well as meet other early-career professionals, broaden your networks and make new friends. The sessions are designed to be educational and so are of great value for early-career professionals, particularly those embarking on doctoral research or starting to specialise in their field.
What are you most looking forward to at RFMV 2026?
Seeing good friends and colleagues who I have met since the inaugural RFMV meeting in 2020, as well as keeping up to date with new developments in the fields of respiratory failure and mechanical ventilation.
Can you share one session or topic you are especially excited about, and why?
I always enjoy the sessions that translate physiology into clinical practice, and so look forward to hearing the international experts discuss applied physiology in the opening session. There is a strong focus on multidisciplinary care in this RFMV programme, and I look forward to hearing from the wide variety of clinicians involved in supporting patients during weaning from mechanical ventilation and those with chronic respiratory failure. I also very much look forward to hearing the oral presentations and meeting early-career professionals to hear about their research and career aspirations.
What types of skills or knowledge can early-career professionals expect to gain from attending?
The symposia will provide valuable overviews of topics that are central in the fields of acute and chronic respiratory failure. The smaller breakout sessions, including the Skills Workshops and Meet the Experts, will enable more focussed learning and discussions, with the additional opportunity to spend time with the expert faculty to understand more about the topics and how they can be applied in your home institutions.
Finally, what advice would you give to someone attending for the first time?
Seize the opportunity to meet experts in your field – approach the faculty after their presentations and during breaks to ask questions, discuss your work and interests, and be inspired. Be brave! You will be surprised how delighted speakers are to meet with motivated and interested colleagues. Make sure also to spend time with other attendees, develop new networks, and learn about clinical practices in other countries. RFMV is a unique meeting of international attendees all with the same sub-specialist interest, and a wonderful opportunity to learn and develop new connections.
The RFMV Conference 2026 will take place in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and online from 12–14 February, 2026. The early-bird discount ends 1 December, 2025. Register now to make a significant saving.