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AAPA's 17th Annual Clinical and Professional Poster Session
Important dates to remember Frequently asked questions On-line submission form Abstract and poster guidelines for 2008
We are now accepting abstract submissions for the 17th Annual Clinical and Professional Poster Session to be held at AAPA's annual conference in San Antonio, Texas!
AAPA's Clinical and Professional Poster Session is conducted every year at the annual physician assistant conference. This past year in Philadelphia, over 70 posters were presented. Posters were featured in three categories: original research, case studies/clinical reports, and posters previously presented at medical/scientific conferences held within the last 12 months. AAPA's Clinical and Scientific Affairs Council sponsors the session and coordinates the submission and peer-review process.
Here you will find everything you ever wanted to know about this year's poster session.
Back by popular demand! CSAC will award "Blue Ribbons" for the best posters in each gallery again this year.
If after reading the information here and in the guidelines you have any questions contact Cheryl Holmes by e-mail or call 703/836-2272 ext. 3419.
Now are you excited? Check out the poster sessions from the previous PA conferences.
- 16th Annual Clinical and Professional Poster Session, Philadelphia
- 15th Annual Clinical and Professional Poster Session, San Francisco
- 14th Annual Clinical and Professional Poster Session, Orlando
Important dates to remember
- January 11: Abstract Deadline; all abstracts must be received by 11:59 p.m., EST (Deadline will be strictly observed.)
- January 18: Abstracts distributed to reviewers
- February 8: Abstract reviews completed
- February 22: E-mail of notification sent to submitting authors
- March 7: Deadline for authors to confirm participation
- April 18: Pre-registration deadline for the annual conference
- May 25: Poster setup begins
- May 27: Presenters at posters (Scheduled from Noon to 1:00 p.m.)
- May 28: Final poster removal
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the purpose of AAPA's poster session?
- Do I need to be an AAPA member?
- What is a poster?
- Does it have to be original research?
- How do I enter?
- Is the process very competitive?
- Who reviews and selects the abstracts?
- Can students enter posters?
- How do you feel about literature reviews?
- Can PA faculty enter posters?
- Are there oral presentations of papers?
- Do you have an example of a good abstract?
- Do you have an example of what a poster looks like?
- When will I know if my abstract has been accepted?
- What should I bring to San Antonio?
- Are there any resources to help me prepare my poster?
Q. What is the purpose of AAPA's poster session?
A. The purpose of AAPA's annual conference poster session is to give physician assistants a venue for presenting their work to the PA community at large. It is not necessarily intended to serve as a medium for conveying clinical or scientific information to PAs.
A conference session or exhibit hall display may be the appropriate venues for research or information not authored by PAs. Contact Cheryl Holmes for more information.
Q. Do I need to be an AAPA member?
A. Yes, the submitting author must be either an AAPA fellow or student member. The submitting author need not be the first author on the poster. Additional authors may be non-members or non-PAs. All presenters must pay the conference registration fee. Poster presenters have until April 18, 2008 to pre-register for the conference.
Q. What is a poster?
A. A poster is a common method used to present research in the biomedical sciences. It is actually a bulletin board that serves as a static visual communication tool. It provides an opportunity to publish information in a brief format and discuss it with your peers. In presenting your research with a poster, you should aim to use the poster as a means for generating active discussion of the research. A great poster is readable, legible, well organized and succinct. The Science and Engineering Library at the State University of New York at Buffalo has excellent web resources to help you create an effective poster (http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/asl/guides/bio/posters.html). At the Web site you will find this useful advice from Mary Helen Briscoe:
"It takes intelligence, even brilliance, to condense and focus information into a clear, simple presentation that will be read and remembered. Ignorance and arrogance are shown in a crowded, complicated, hard-to-read poster."
Q. Does it have to be original research?
A. No, although original research is the sine qua non for poster presentations other types of research or scholarly activity are welcome. Appropriate research may be results of a survey, an interventional study, a secondary data analysis, an epidemiologic study, cost-benefit analysis, an evaluation of diagnostic test, a pre-test/post-test evaluation of an educational intervention for PA students or something else. Interesting case studies, patient vignettes, and innovative practice or educational techniques are also welcome.
Posters that have been presented at other professional meetings within the past 12 months are also eligible for submission. Students are strongly encouraged to submit research done in the program as long as it will be completed in time for presentation. Faculty are encouraged to present their educational research, innovative curricular designs or case studies.
Q. How do I enter?
A. First, you should have completed your research or case study! Next, review the guidelines for abstracts and write your 500 word abstract. Then, go to our on-line submission form and submit the required information. You may either attach your abstract document or cut-and-paste it into the space provided. That's all there is to it! Your abstract will undergo a peer-review process. Our plan is to let you know if your abstract has been approved for presentation by late February 2008. (See Important dates to remember)
Q. Is the process very competitive?
A. There is no competition to get your abstracts approved per se. In most cases, if you follow the guidelines and present quality work your abstract will be accepted. Originality of work, adequacy of data, and clarity of expression are the major determining factors for selection. Specific selection criteria vary for each category as listed below.
- Original research
- Is the purpose or the objective clearly stated? Is the scope of topic too broad or too narrow?
- Is the description of the materials and methodology understandable? Are the data collection and experimental technique adequate for the study?
- Are the analytical procedures used adequately described? Is the research design appropriate for the data collected and the subject of the study?
- Are the results presented in sufficient detail to support the conclusions? Do they follow from the data and analysis?
- Is the conclusion clear and the interpretation sound?
- Is the information presented important? Are there practical implications of the information? Is the information new? Is the research original?
- Clinical report or case study
- Is the information presented clearly and understandably?
- Is the information presented applicable to PAs?
- Is the information clinically important, relevant and significant? Is the information unique or notable?
- Previously presented poster
- Is the information appropriate for PAs?
- Does it satisfy the criteria above for original research or clinical report/case study?
- Educational research or interventions
- Is the abstract thoughtful, organized, and clear?
- Is an innovative method presented which is original and effective?
- Are measurable outcomes presented?
- Does the project impact special populations?
- Does the project have value to other PA educators and the PA profession?
Q. Who reviews and selects the abstracts?
A. The poster session is coordinated by AAPA's Clinical and Scientific Affairs Council (CSAC). Each clinical abstract is reviewed by a CSAC member. Additionally, each abstract is reviewed by two outside reviewers who have expertise related to the topic of the abstract. CSAC makes the final decision on acceptance of abstracts. PA faculty abstracts will be reviewed by PA educators.
Q. Can students enter posters?
A. Yes, students are encouraged to submit abstracts of their research. The Student Gallery has been added to highlight the research of PA students. Student abstracts must meet the same criteria for acceptance. However, CSAC recognizes that many student projects are works in progress when the deadline occurs. Therefore, students are permitted to submit research that has results pending. However, the research must be completed and results presented in time for the poster session in May.
As an added enticement up to three student stipends of $500 will be awarded to the three most outstanding student researchers. The award has been named in honor of the late Karen Brich, a Chatham College faculty member, who promoted student research by dedicating countless hours and energy to mentoring student projects, even until her final days. Karen passed away in May 2001. The awards will be designated prior to the conference based on the abstract submission not on the poster presentation.
Q. How do you feel about literature reviews?
A. Although a literature review may be an excellent learning experience and contain valuable information, it is not appropriate for poster presentation and therefore will not be accepted for the poster session. The only exception might be a literature review on a controversial topic that provides new information and has an analytic component to it. For example, a meta-analysis of previously published studies would be acceptable as would a well done systematic evidence review with a clear purpose, refined search methodology and thorough analysis. In recent years we have received an increasing number of literature reviews from students as part of their program's research requirement. The "lit review" only represents the first step in original research and is not considered a completed project for presentation at the poster session.
Q. Can PA faculty enter posters?
A. Yes, all PA faculty are encouraged to submit abstracts describing any aspect of educational research or curricular design. Posters that have been presented at the PAEA Educational Forum in Tucson, Arizona can be submitted for review.
Q. Are there oral presentations of papers?
A. No, there will not be any oral presentations in 2008.
Q. Do you have an example of a good abstract?
A. Check out the abstracts from the previous years to see examples of different categories of posters. We cannot stress enough the importance of carefully reading and following the abstract guidelines.
Q. Do you have an example of what a poster looks like?
A. The Clinical Affairs and Education staff created a poster demonstrating the principles of poster design and summarizing the abstract review process. Click here to see the "Nuts and Bolts" poster.
The poster display board is typically 8 feet wide by 4 feet tall with a 1 inch metal border (some are slightly smaller). The background material is a neutral color cloth. The figure below demonstrates the look of classic original research poster. The top "banner" should include the title, author names, and their affiliations. The poster should read from top left to bottom right. The title should be legible from 8 feet away, the remaining words from four or five feet away. See the poster guidelines for more information.
Look at the photos from the previous years for more examples. Keep in mind these important tips:
- Keep it simple.
- Present only enough information to support your conclusions.
- About eight poster sections is the maximum for effective presentation.
- Use graphs, charts and figures to make your points, less text is better.
- A good ratio is 20% text, 40% graphics and 40% open space.
- Don't use all capital letters, it is much harder to read.
- Above all be clear, concise, and organized.
Q. When will I know if my abstract has been accepted?
A. Authors will be notified via e-mail in late February 2008, if their abstract is accepted or rejected. If you have not heard anything by the end of February then give us a call or send us an e-mail.
Q. What should I bring to San Antonio?
A. Don't forget to bring your poster! Posters can be attached to the display board with velcro or push pins. We will provide the push pins. Some presenters have found it easier to make a one piece poster. This can be done using Power Point and a professional printer. Other presenters make a banner for the title and each section is made of poster board or heavy paper. You can bring an appropriately sized drape if you want to have a specific background color. We no longer provide a title banner for your poster but we will provide a number to identify your poster board.
You do not have to prepare a lecture or formal presentation. AAPA poster sessions are very informal, but you should prepare a brief discussion of your poster for the afternoon "presenters at posters" session. Visitors to your poster will want to hear about your research in five minutes or less
Q. Are there any resources to help me prepare my poster?
A. The Internet has hundreds of sites with information on poster design and production. As mentioned above, a good starting point is the Science and Engineering Library at the State University of New York at Buffalo at http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/asl/guides/bio/posters.html.
Last Revised: 11/21/07
