How to Write an Abstract: How to Write an Abstract: Abstract Submission & Poster Abstract Submission & Poster

Presentation  Presentation 

Mohammad K. Ismail MDChief of GI, Methodist University HospitalProgram Director GI Fellowship Training

University of Tennessee, Memphis

Why Writing is ImportantWhy Writing is Important

Francis Bacon once said, “reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; but writing an exact man”

Why bother to write well?

To communicate your work well

Reasons for Not WritingReasons for Not Writing

• Difficulty knowing where to start• Not knowing how to start• Anxiety about writing skills• Lack of confidence

Objectives Objectives • Attendees will learn

• Basic information about various types of publications

• How to write abstract• Submission of Abstract• Some Writing Tips

What is an AbstractWhat is an Abstract

• An abstract is a very concise statement of the major elements of your research project. It states the purpose, methods, and findings of your research project.

• An abstract is a condensed version of a full scientific paper.

Identify Your TopicIdentify Your Topic

• First thing is to identify what are you planning to write

• Clinical Vignette Abstract• Case report• Case series• Research

• Do a background Research

Background ResearchBackground Research

Search engines such as• PubMed or MEDLINE• MD Consult• Major Database listing available at UT

Library website

http://library.utmem.edu/eresources/category/databases-major

Four C's of Abstract WritingFour C's of Abstract Writing

• Complete — it covers the major parts of the project/case

• Concise — it contains no excess wordiness or unnecessary information.

• Clear — it is readable, well organized, and not too jargon-laden.

• Cohesive — it flows smoothly between the parts.

How to Pick a Case Report How to Pick a Case Report

Consider presenting a case -increases awareness of a condition -unusual presentation of a relatively common condition-suggests the proper diagnostic strategy -unusual complication of a disease and its management-about the message or lesson that the case can deliver

Format of Case ReportFormat of Case Report

• Where are you submitting abstract• For the ACP, the rules are available on the

electronic abstracts portal

(http://www.acponline.org/srf/abstracts/guide.htm)

• Check the details for the forum/meeting you planning to submit

Clinical Vignette (Case Report) Clinical Vignette (Case Report) Abstract Abstract

• Title and Author Information• Introduction • Case Description • Discussion

Title and Author InformationTitle and Author Information

• Create a winning title • Should be convincing• Appealing

• Format for the title

• Following the title, the names of all authors and their institutional affiliations are listed

Southern Society MeetingSouthern Society Meeting

GRANULAR CELL TUMOR OF ESOPHAGUS: A CASE SERIES

S Narra MD, M K Ismail MD

University of Tennesee, Memphis and

VA Medical Center Memphis, Tennessee

ACP MeetingACP Meeting

Ergotism Masquerading as ArteritisAmy Tarnower, Associate, Department of Medicine,

Michigan State University, East Lansing MI.

IntroductionIntroduction

• The introduction should provide the subject, purpose, and merit of the case report.

• Present background information • Focused comprehensive literature review that

corroborates the author’s claims: prevalence, mortality, "100,000 people each year die of…"

“Fulminant hepatic failure is a rare presentation of Wilson’s disease, which if unrecognized carries a high mortality rate without liver transplantation.”

Case DescriptionCase Description

• Describe in sequence • the history• physical examination• investigative studies• the patient's progress and outcome

DiscussionDiscussion

The discussion should evaluate the patient case for

• accuracy, validity, and uniqueness• compare and contrast the case report

with the published literature• why decisions were made and extract

the lesson from the case

Research AbstractResearch Abstract

• Suggested format • Title and Author Information • Introduction • Methods • Results • Conclusions

Before FinalizingBefore Finalizing

• Get help from a mentor • Make revisions based upon the feedback • Have others read your draft in order to

check for technical errors, such as spelling and grammar mistakes

Prior to SubmissionPrior to Submission

Check Yourself did you : • Follow the instructions!!!! • Include headings exactly as stated in the

instructions/template? • Use short, clear sentences; one idea per sentence? • Limit your abstract to the word count/character

count requirement? • Edit, edit, edit • Check grammar, syntax and punctuation

ACP Clinical Vignette Abstract ChecklistACP Clinical Vignette Abstract Checklist

• Due date for abstract is ____________.• Number of copies needed ____________.• Presenting author is listed as first author.• Presenting author meets eligibility requirements for the meeting.• Author affiliations are listed.• Abstract clearly organized into Introduction, Case Description,

and Discussion.• The “lesson” of the case is presented clearly and concisely.• Completed abstract meets word- limit requirements or fits into

formatting box.• Abstract printed with correct font size and style (if stipulated).• Others have reviewed abstract for content, style, grammar, and

spelling.• Mail abstract to:• Electronic submission

You Did It! Submit Your AbstractYou Did It! Submit Your Abstract

• Submit your abstract on or before any relevant deadline

• Mostly online/check on paper submission

• Payment may be needed for some Abstract Submission

Poster PresentationPoster Presentation

• Once accepted begin preparation early• Review with mentor• Add References appropriately• Submit stuff for printing Abstract for

display: check on mounting• Take care of meeting registration, stay and

travel arrangement

Forums for PresentationForums for Presentation

• ACP Meeting

• Southern Society Meeting (SSCI)

• Specialty Meetings• American College of Gastroenterology

Meeting

Not the End of WorkNot the End of Work

• Poster presentation: Not the end of work• Intermediate stage in a yet unfinished

project• Plan to write full manuscript ASAP

• Choose Proper Journal for the case report• Read and follow the “Guidelines for Authors” of the

target journal.• Set Goals• Set Deadlines for yourself• Shoot for the Moon

Why Abstracts Not AcceptedWhy Abstracts Not Accepted

Most common deficiencies encountered (in order of frequency):

• Poor presentation• Weak discussion• Lack of originality• Poor methods• Inappropriate statistical analysis• Inadequate results

How to ImproveHow to Improve

• Writing is an art, you can learn• Read published manuscript and abstract

carefully in major journals and focus on detail

• Practice; practice; practice• Get help from your mentors and colleagues• Attend classes in writing skills/read books

Some Writing Tips

• Active voice is preferable to passive voice• “We studied 15 patients with ARDS.” is

much better than “Fifteen patients with ARDS were studied.”

• Always use the full term before you refer to it by acronym [for example, Orthotopic Liver Transplantation (OLT)]

• Write only one thought per sentence.• Eliminate unnecessary words• Ensure that verb tenses are consistent and correct

Closing ThoughtsClosing Thoughts

• Scholarly activities and Publications are a required part of residency training

• Very Important for residents pursuing academic career

• Important for academic advancement• Faraday once said, “Work; finish;

publish”