American Thoracic Society
Encyclopedia
American Thoracic Society (ATS), established in 1905, is an independently incorporated, international, educational and scientific society, serving its 18,000 members worldwide who are dedicated in respiratory and critical care medicine
. The Society aims to help to prevent and fight respiratory disease
by promoting research, education, patient care, and advocacy, ultimately to decrease morbidity and mortality
from respiratory diseases.
Future meeting sites:
Critical Care Medicine
Critical Care Medicine is a peer-reviewed medical journal in the field of intensive care medicine. It is the official publication of the Society of Critical Care Medicine, and is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. The editor-in-chief is Joseph E. Parrillo....
. The Society aims to help to prevent and fight respiratory disease
Respiratory disease
Respiratory disease is a medical term that encompasses pathological conditions affecting the organs and tissues that make gas exchange possible in higher organisms, and includes conditions of the upper respiratory tract, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, pleura and pleural cavity, and the...
by promoting research, education, patient care, and advocacy, ultimately to decrease morbidity and mortality
Death
Death is the permanent termination of the biological functions that sustain a living organism. Phenomena which commonly bring about death include old age, predation, malnutrition, disease, and accidents or trauma resulting in terminal injury....
from respiratory diseases.
History
- 1905, American Sanatorium Association, established as a division of the American Lung AssociationAmerican Lung AssociationThe American Lung Association is a voluntary health organization whose mission is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.-History:...
, was devoted to the prevention, control and treatment of tuberculosisTuberculosisTuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
at that time; - 1938, the American Sanatorium Association changed its name to the American Trudeau Society, after Dr. Edward Livingston TrudeauEdward Livingston TrudeauEdward Livingston Trudeau, M.D., M.S., D. Hon., was an American physician who established the Adirondack Cottage Sanitarium at Saranac Lake for treatment of tuberculosis.-Biography:...
. - 1960, the American Trudeau Society changed its name to the American Thoracic Society.
- 2000, the American Thoracic Society was separated from the American Lung Association.
Mission statement
The American Thoracic Society (ATS) is a non-profit, international, professional and scientific society for respiratory, critical care and sleep medicine. The ATS is committed to the prevention and treatment of respiratory disease through research, education, patient care and advocacy. The long-range goal of the ATS is to decrease morbidity and mortality from respiratory, critical care and sleep disorders and life threatening acute illnesses in people of all ages. In keeping with these goals, the American Thoracic Society interacts with both national and international organizations which have similar goals.Research
- Promote the highest quality research to facilitate the discovery of new knowledge
- Collaborate with other organizations in research advocacy.
- Coordinate, develop and manage research and research training grant programs in collaboration with other organizations.
- Provide advice and direction to all agencies and organizations that fund respiratory and critical care related research.
- Increase funding for research and training as a non-profit, tax-exempt society.
Education
- Disseminate new scientific information through scientific meetings and publication of peer-reviewed journals.
- Translate new scientific information into patient education.
- Develop new approaches to educate professionals and other health care providers about respiratory and critical care medicine.
- Encourage and provide the highest standards of training in respiratory and critical care medicine for professionals and other health care providers.
- Encourage the highest standards for research and clinical practice worldwide.
- Facilitate the interpretation and transfer of both new research findings and existing information to the practitioner.
- Provide information and expertise in respiratory and critical care diseases to other organizations worldwide.
Patient Care
- Support and foster the highest quality of patient care.
- Evaluate the interrelationships between delivery of health care, health care costs and health care policy.
- Establish, review and revise guidelines for optimal patient care.
- Promote the development and application of ethical standards in patient care.
Advocacy
- Promote high quality and cost effective patient care.
- Advise, cooperate and participate with government and non-government agencies in matters of common interest, including clinical practice and research.
- Participate in activities whose aim is to prevent lung disease, promote lung health and enhance patient care worldwide.
Conferences
- The Society holds its annual international conference in May. There are about 15,000 doctors and scientists from all over the world to attend.
- Places that have hosted the ATS International Conference:
- 1999: San Diego
- 2000: Toronto (Canada)
- 2001: San Francisco
- 2002: Atlanta
- 2003: Seattle
- 2004: Orlando
- 2005: San Diego
- 2006: San Diego
- 2007: San Francisco
- 2008: Toronto, Canada
- 2009: San Diego
- 2010: New Orleans
- 2011: Denver
Future meeting sites:
- 2012: San Francisco
Periodicals
- The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care MedicineAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care MedicineThe American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine is a semi monthly medical journal published in two yearly volumes by the American Thoracic Society covering the pathophysiology and treatment of diseases that affect the respiratory system. The journal also publishes review articles in...
(AJRCCM) http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/ - The American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular BiologyAmerican Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular BiologyThe American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology is a peer-reviewed monthly medical journal and an official publication of the American Thoracic Society...
(AJRCMB) http://ajrcmb.atsjournals.org/ - The Proceedings of the American Thoracic SocietyProceedings of the American Thoracic SocietyThe Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society is an official medical journal of the American Thoracic Society. It covers topics in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine...
(PATS) http://pats.atsjournals.org/