23rd Australasian Podiatry Conference GOLD COAST 09 Striving for Gold-Standard Clinical Practice Gold Coast Convention Centre: Gold Coast, Queensland Tue 12th May – Sat 16th May 2009 Deadline for abstracts: Friday, 3rd October 2008 Podiatric practice is in a constant state of evolution. New research findings, the ongoing development of clinical practice, new technologies and the changing face of health care shape our professional vision. ‘Gold Coast 09 – Striving for Gold-Standard Clinical Practice’ offers a forum of communication for all podiatrists. The scientific committee of the 23rd Australasian Podiatry Conference invites the submission of abstracts from interested parties for the presentation of scientific papers and posters which contribute to the conference theme and add to the enhancement of clinical podiatry practice and research. Abstracts will be considered in the categories of Quantitative Research, Qualitative Research and Other. (please see further details provided below) INVITATION TO SUBMIT AN ABSTRACT Abstracts must follow precisely the instructions outlined below and those abstracts which do not comply with these guidelines will not be considered. Submissions are invited for presentations which contribute to the above Conference theme in the following areas of podiatric interest. Examples of well written / gold standard abstracts are included for guidance. Quantitative Research: The Quantitative research category generally involves numbers or data of one form or another. Recognised scientific methodology is generally used that is specific to the research question. Examples include; clinical trials, validity or reliability testing, biomechanical studies, surveys, epidemiological studies, predictive studies etc. The data generated is usually analysed statistically. Please click here for a sample 'Gold Standard Abstract'. Qualitative Research: The Qualitative research category relates more to theories and interpretation of human behaviour or experience. There are recognised methodologies that are used (e.g. phenomenology, ethnography, grounded theory). Examples might include; in-depth interviews, participant observation, focus groups etc. Either new theories or explanations are developed to assist interpretation of human behaviour or experience. Please click here for a sample 'Gold Standard Abstract'. Other: The Other category includes topics where no formal research methodology was used. For example: a new treatment technique, a case study, a report of an event or professional trip (e.g. to an overseas country), policy development, a position statement etc. Please click here for a sample 'Gold Standard Abstract'. PRESENTATION FORMAT Authors may specify the format (lecture or poster) of the presentation however, the Committee reserves the right to re-allocate the chosen format. It is estimated that the majority of oral presentations will be in the 15-30 minute time limit. Poster presentation guidelines will be forwarded to successful authors. Posters will be displayed for the duration of the conference and the author will be requested to be present during the allocated ‘Meet the Author’ session. MEDIA REQUIREMENTS Please note that single screen power point presentations are available to all speakers as the standard audio-visual requirement. Please contact the Australasian Podiatry Council to request any other media requirements. WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE ABSTRACT? The requirements of the abstract will be to provide sufficient information and detail about the subject to enable the committee to evaluate the relevance of the content of the paper for inclusion. Of key importance is that the clinical relevance and application of the paper is made explicitly clear. All submitted abstracts will be subject to peer review and evaluated on the basis of applicability, originality, clarity and links to the conference theme, along with other criteria relevant to the chosen category. Successful abstracts will be included in a book of abstracts which will be published for conference delegates. As such, it will be imperative that the abstract reflects the content of the paper. If the authors have any conflict of interest, this needs to be stated at the end of the abstract. Abstracts reporting work that required ethics approval should list who this was obtained through. Any cited references in the abstract must be listed according to the Vancouver System within the text, and the end of the abstract should cite full references. Abbreviations should be used only after the full use of the word(s) has been cited in the first instance. The details which will be expected to be included in the abstract for each paper category are as follows: QUANTITATIVE Background Include a brief explanation of the problem/issue that you researched and outline a primary aim or objective of the research (research question or hypothesis). Methods Include the setting of the research (i.e. community, hospital, university-based clinic), the number and type of participants (if there were participants), brief details of any apparatus used (including interventions if used), the outcomes measured (including primary statistical analysis) Results / Discussion Clearly outline the results. For example, if a comparison between two groups (interventions) has been made, state the mean difference between the groups and either standard deviations or preferably 95% confidence intervals. P-values can be included, but don’t just write that a test was ‘significant’ or just indicate the ‘P-value’ – a P-value does not provide the size of the difference. Attempt to make the information as intuitive as possible by using percentage change, proportions, relative risks, odds ratios etc., if relevant. Briefly discuss the meaning of these results if not obvious. Conclusion Write a succinct conclusion which highlights the main (primary) result of the research. This should answer the aim or research question set out in the Background section. The clinical implication of this finding needs to be highlighted if not obvious. If the authors have any conflict of interest, this needs to be stated at the end of the abstract. Salient Clinical Points Key clinical findings and implications to clinical practice must be listed in dot point or other summary form. QUALITATIVE Background Include a brief explanation of the problem/issue that you researched and outline a primary aim or objective of the research (for exploratory studies, state why you wanted to explore the issue). Methods Include the setting of the research (i.e. participants homes, community, hospital), the number and type of participants (if there were participants), brief details on the methodology used (e.g. phenomenology, grounded theory). Results / Discussion Present the main findings of your research and discuss them relative to the primary aim or objectives Conclusion Write a succinct conclusion, which highlights the primary result or theory generated from your research. If the authors have any conflict of interest, this needs to be stated at the end of the abstract. Salient Clinical Points Key clinical findings and implications to clinical practice must be listed in dot point or other summary form. OTHER Background Provide brief background on the issue or problem that your presentation is focused on. Key issues Describe the key issues concerned including important details (include relevant patient details if a case study). Discussion Discuss the key issues as they relate to your topic including relevant information on what was undertaken, clinical findings and implications to clinical practice. Conclusion Conclude with a brief statement of the outcome or future developments. Salient Clinical Points Key clinical findings and implications to clinical practice must be listed in dot point or other summary form. SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACT All abstracts must be submitted electronically via the Abstract Application Form. Only the abstract content is to be presented within the allocated space. Abstract text should be no greater than 650 words. Abstract title, presenter, co-authors, and contact details (including email address) should be entered separately in the spaces provided, along with the abstract category, presentation format and any comments or special requirements. DATE OF SUBMISSION The final date for submission of abstracts is Friday 3rd October 2008. Authors will be advised of the committee’s decision early in 2009. CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTANCE All papers and posters must be presented in English and by the listed principle author. The presenting author will be required to register for the Conference meeting no later than 2 months prior to the Conference. Failure to register by that date will result in removal of the accepted abstract from the conference program. Please click here to go to the abstract submission form. Return to the top