ABSAME 08 Meeting - San Diego, CA

Submitting an Abstract

Submission Deadline: Midnight, April 14, 2008

Submission Categories

Brief Paper Presentation (30 minutes)
A brief paper presentation is designed to introduce educational innovations or pilot research related to the conference theme. The format is a 20-minute presentation followed by a 10-minute question and answer period. A completed submission form and a 300-word abstract outlining the objectives, methods, outcomes, and evaluation of an education program; or the purpose, methods, results, and conclusions/discussion of a research project are required.

Symposium/Panel Discussion (60 minutes)
A symposium/panel discussion is designed to provide diverse perspectives on topics related to the conference theme. The format of a symposium/panel discussion is a total of 60 minutes for 3 panelists and a moderator. A completed submission form, a 500-word summary that provides an overview of the symposium as well as the names of the organizer/moderator and panelists are required. In addition, each panelist should provide a 300-word description that outlines the perspective to be expressed and points of discussion.

Workshop (2 hours)
A workshop is designed to teach specific skills through a “hands on” approach to the topic area. Workshops are scheduled for 2 hours. Workshop proposals should include a completed submission form, 500-word abstract, a detailed proposal (not to exceed two pages) which outlines objectives, strategies to achieve objectives, and methods to encourage active participation.

Poster Session
Poster submissions can include descriptions of research studies, community projects/programs or curriculum designs. Posters should address a component of the conference theme or another topic of behavioral science interest in medical education. Posters should fit within a 5’ by 4’ rectangle. Poster proposals should include a completed submission form and a 300-word abstract that summarizes the poster theme.

Topic Areas for Submission

The association encourages submission of presentation abstracts relevant to the conference theme as illustrated below as well as topics of continuing interests to behavioral science educators:

Suggested behavioral topics are listed below under each of the core competencies identified by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

1. Patient Care
• assessing compassionate patient care

2. Medical Knowledge
• attaining and applying knowledge in the social and behavioral sciences for clinical practice

3. Practice-Based Learning and Improvement
• assessing and appraising evidence-based medicine information related to patient’s health problems

4. Interpersonal and Communication Skills
• Assessing interpersonal communication skills

5. Professionalism
• developing and assessing professional behaviors
• using portfolios and other structured mechanisms for assessing professional behaviors
• identifying skills when addressing ethical situations/issues

6. Systems-Based Practice
• encouraging interdisciplinary team work

Special Awards

Posters presented by students (residents, graduate students, and medical students) as first authors are eligible for the organizations’ highest student award, The Mauksch Award. Criteria for judging will be provided to participants. Students who wish to be considered for this award should make the appropriate selection on their submission form.

Submission Guidelines

The following guidelines apply for all submissions:

1. Submissions must be submitted electronically no later than 12:00 midnight April 14, 2008.
2. Submissions must follow the directions for the proposed category and must be complete.
3. If you want to submit more than one proposal, complete a separate and complete proposal for each.
4. All submissions must include the following information:
- completed submission form
- abstract
- detailed proposal (for seminars and workshops only).
5. All materials for submission are available on the website (www.absame.org).

Please Note: Due to budgetary constraints, we are unable to waive the registration fee for presenters. ALL presenters are required to register. A one-day registration rate, as well as a reduced rate for residents and medical students, is available.

Review Process

All submissions will be peer reviewed and evaluated in terms of their appropriateness for behavioral science and medical education and the ABSAME conference theme. Selection will be based on overall quality, relevance, clarity of objectives, methods for meeting objectives, and clarity of the writing and organization of the proposal. To qualify for the review process, all submissions must adhere to the format requirements. Submitters will be informed of their acceptance by June 15, 2008.

The Review Committee retains the right to recommend a change in the type of presentation.

Getting Started

The online submission process requires you to login into the ABSAME user site. If you are a member of ABSAME a username has been assigned. If you are a non-member you can create a username.

In order to make the process easier, you should prepare your text in a text editor and then use the Cut & Paste features of your windowing system. If you have prepared the document in a word processor (i.e. Word or WordPerfect) you should first save the document as a text file and then open this in a text editor (i.e. NotePad) before cutting and pasting into this form. Please make sure you have saved a copy of your abstract (in word processor/editor) before hitting the submit button. By following this suggestion, if you have trouble when submitting the form, you will not have to re-type the text.

The system allows you to edit your submission until the submission deadline.

When ready to submit your abstract - click here.