Abstract: content and format. Please limit abstracts to 250 - 300 words.
Abstracts are brief summaries of the overall goal of an offering and the specific ideas or concepts that will be presented, including outcomes and implications for practice. Abstracts essentially answer four questions:
- What was the problem?
- How did the author(s) solve it?
- What was discovered?
- What can be learned from the experience?
**Tip: Instead of stating that “results will be presented…”, state the results. See the following specific review criteria.**
The abstract title should adequately convey the content of the abstract and must not contain product trade names. Product trade names must also not be included in the body of the abstract. If it is essential to the content of an abstract to mention a product trade name, discuss that product by its generic name followed by an asterisk or other appropriate mark (*, †, °), then list the trade name at the end of the abstract. For example:
Sample title: Bilayered skin substitute* and the management of a diabetic foot ulcer
Sample text: “…the practitioner then applied Bilayered skin substitute* to the…”
Product notation: *Apligraf®, Organogenesis, Inc., Canton, Mass
Please do not include images or tables with your submission. They will be deleted and not included in any materials sent to the judges.
This is a blind review process, so please make sure that neither author(s) name(s) nor facility affiliation(s) appear in the abstract body text.
References: References are optional but encouraged. Please limit references to the 10 most pertinent citations.
Accreditation: HMP Communications is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Education for Physicians.
Review Process
To be accepted to present an oral or poster abstract during the 2008 Symposium, each proposed presentation must be described in an abstract. Each abstract will be blind, peer-reviewed by judges who are experts in the field. There are 2 Abstract Review Committees, one for orals, the other for posters. Oral abstracts that are not accepted for oral presentation will automatically be considered in the poster review process unless directed otherwise by the author.
Each abstract will be reviewed based on specific criteria for the category in which it is placed. Therefore, it is very important for the author to specify in which category the abstract should be entered. The 4 categories are: Clinical Research, Laboratory Research, Case Series/Study, and Information/Educational report. (**Case study criteria have been changed. Please see below).
Please note: These abstracts are blind-reviewed by a panel of expert judges; however, they should not be considered “peer-reviewed”. Please do not label them peer-reviewed in any capacity during the Symposium or other unrelated instances.
Specific Review Criteria by Category
Clinical Research and Laboratory Research.
- Are the objective(s), materials, and methods stated clearly and of importance and interest to this audience?
- Is the study designed appropriately to answer the stated objective(s) (ie, with correct procedures, appropriate statistical measures, and tools which have been tested for reliability and validity)?
- Are the findings stated clearly with equal emphasis given to statistically significant and non-significant findings as well as equally to the major objective(s)?
- Is the information current and are (potential) outcomes findings important and relevant to the target audience?
**Case Series/Study.
Single product, 1-patient case studies will no longer be accepted. A minimum of 3 patients is necessary (unless case is a complex or unique situation and/or a unique technology is being used). Case studies are appropriate for illustrating new uses of existing products, new products, adverse events, or unexpected results, which are unusual or have the potential to stimulate new research or thought.
- Are the objective(s), materials, and methods stated clearly and of importance and interest to this audience?
- Are the details of the case study described so that progression and/or treatment are clear and pertinent to this audience?
- Are the findings stated clearly and do they support the objective(s)?
- Is the information current and are (potential) outcomes findings important and relevant to the target audience?
Information/Educational Report.
(This category may include descriptions of wound care programs, educational tools, classification systems, treatment modalities, or products.)
- Are the objective(s), materials, and methods stated clearly and of importance and interest to this audience?
- Are the primary aspects of the project, including background information, stated clearly in a logical progression, which allows the reader to understand usage or potential application?
- Are the project outcomes and benefits clearly stated and pertinent to this audience?
- Is the information current and relevant to the target audience?
Oral Abstract Presentations.
Oral abstracts will be 12 minutes long followed by a 3 minute question and answer period. Oral abstracts will be grouped into four 90-minute, concurrent sessions according to topic. The Abstract Review Committee makes the final determination regarding how oral presentations will be grouped.
Poster Abstract Presentations
Posters are typically displayed on 4' high x 8' wide bulletin boards. Presenters must bring their own tacks or mounting supplies. Handouts may be distributed. Audio-visual equipment will not be available for poster presentations. There will be at least 2 poster sessions during which presenters will be expected to be available to answer questions and partake in conversation at their posters. See Conversation with the Authors.
Previously presented/published information.
Oral or poster presentations that have been previously presented or published are eligible for submission as long as previous publication/presentation is noted upon submission.
Certificate of Merit.
All oral and poster presenters will be awarded a Certificate of Merit giving recognition to their contribution to the advancement of the wound care field.
Submitting more than one abstract.
It is the responsibility of the presenting author to notify the SAWC Abstract Coordinator if they are presenting more than one poster. Every effort will be made to display those posters in sequential numerical order so that the author may fully represent all of his or her research.
Conversation with the authors.
Many attendees have expressed that they enjoy the opportunity to converse with poster authors. However, we also recognize that your time is valuable and attending all the poster sessions can be burdensome to your schedule. Therefore, we are requesting that all presenters be available to present their poster(s) during the general opening poster session and at least one additional session (days and times TBA).
You are, of course, more than welcome to be present at all poster sessions.
The Young Investigators Award
The Young Investigators Award will be presented for outstanding achievement in Clinical and Laboratory Research by a young investigator. This is your chance to present at the premier wound care meeting and make a name for yourself in the field of wound care.
To qualify for the award you must:
- Be first author of and therefore have made significant contributions to the work
- Submit clinical or laboratory research that has not been previously published
- Be under the age of 40 -or- have an appointment to an academic institution (4 years or fewer) at a rank of assistant professor or lower (fellows/residents included) -or- be in the process of obtaining a terminal degree (MD/PhD)
- Attend the SAWC/WHS and present the work
If selected, you will receive an honorarium, present your findings either as a poster or via oral presentation, and be recognized at the opening ceremonies of the SAWC.