Whether you’re a seasoned NSWOC or SWAN, or just starting your career, NSWOCC and the WOC Institute want to help you showcase your work and share innovative practices in wound, ostomy, and continence care.
Troy Curtis, NSWOCC Director of Operations, and Kimberly LeBlanc, Academic Chair of the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Institute, recorded a presentation on tips for writing oral and poster abstracts for the 44th National Conference. You can watch the recording below. We’ve also outlined our key tips and practical strategies to guide you through the abstract creation process in this news post.
Submission Guidelines & Deadlines:
Oral Abstracts Deadline: February 28, 2025
Poster Abstracts Deadline: March 31, 2025
Submission Link: Submit an Abstract
Abstracts must be in English or French and adhere to the conference guidelines (e.g., abstract body should be under 300 words, single-spaced, and free of author identifiers). Read the full guidelines online at https://www.nswoccconference.com/abstracts
Topic Areas: NSWOCC welcomes abstracts on topics related to wound, ostomy, incontinence, or leadership—whether your work is research-based, a case study, practice-oriented, or demonstrates nursing leadership within the NSWOC specialty.
Define Your Core Message and Purpose
Start with a Clear Focus:
Identify the unique aspect of your work. For example, you might showcase how a new wound debridement technique significantly improved healing times in your facility.
Ensure that your abstract stays focused and aligns with the conference’s formatting and word count requirements.
Align With Your Experience:
Reflect on your workplace projects or quality improvement initiatives. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a junior nurse, your practical experience can make a strong contribution.
Embrace Timely and Hot Topics
Current Trends Matter:
Discuss emerging trends, such as the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in patient care. For instance, one long-term care home successfully implemented AI for real-time translation, enhancing communication between multilingual staff and residents.
Other examples:
Cost-effectiveness in care practices
Quality initiatives improving patient outcomes
Address “hot topics” currently discussed among NSWOC and SWAN professionals
If you’re already involved in research or projects that are already producing measurable outcomes—now is the perfect time to share your insights and submit an abstract.
Be Proactive:
Remember, research takes time. Starting to consider what research you might want to share early gives you ample time to develop and refine your abstract when abstract submission deadline approach.
Consider Timeless Topics
Share new approaches to evergreen issues:
Consider topics that consistently impact practice. A case series on skin tears or an evaluation of a new patient education program in ostomy care can provide lasting value, for example.
Share solutions to common challenges faced by caregivers
Consider Scholarly Reviews:
Masters or PhD nurses who are already conducting scholarly reviews and research may consider submitting an abstract on scholarly reviews, systematic reviews, etc.
Whether you’re detailing a quality improvement project or presenting a systematic review of best practices, these timeless topics not only add to the literature but also pave the way for publishing in the future.
Design an Attractive, Clear, and Informative Poster
Clarity and Layout:
Your poster should clearly present your introduction, research questions, methodology, results, and key findings/conclusions. A balanced layout helps reviewers quickly grasp your findings.
Visual Appeal:
Use graphs, tables, and photos (with proper patient and facility consent) to support your data. Ensure that visual elements are clear and enhance the readability of your poster.
Proper Attribution:
Always include the names of your affiliations and any funding or sponsorship details at the bottom of your poster. Use generic terms for products to avoid bias.
Reporting Your Research Effectively
Complete Your Study Before Submission:
Abstracts presenting incomplete research are typically rejected. Ensure that your project is finished and your data fully analyzed.
Detail Your Methods and Outcomes:
Whether you’re reporting a randomized control trial comparing wound dressings or a case study on innovative ostomy care, describe your methodology, results, and implications for practice clearly and succinctly.
Use data and visual aids (charts/graphs) to support your claims
Support with Evidence: Support your claims with solid evidence
Present Clearly
Craft a Compelling Title and Abstract
Grab the Reviewer’s Attention:
Create a title that is both informative and engaging. For example, “Revolutionizing Wound Healing: A New Protocol in NSWOCC Practice” instantly conveys the significance of your work.
Write Succinctly:
Remember: more is less. Aim for clear, concise language that delivers your message in fewer words without sacrificing important points.
Review and Revise:
Have colleagues proofread your abstract. Fine-tuning the language for clarity, avoiding plagiarism, and ensuring adherence to guidelines is crucial for success.
Additional Tips: Consent, Ethics, and AI
Patient Consent and Ethics:
Always secure consent if your abstract includes patient photos or sensitive data. Verify with your facility’s policy regarding ethics, especially for case studies involving more than three individuals.
The Role of AI:
While AI tools can help with idea generation or checking grammar, avoid relying on them to write your content. Authenticity is key, and over-reliance on AI can lead to inaccuracies or unintended plagiarism.
Don’t Be Afraid of Rejection—Embrace Feedback
Value Your Unique Perspective:
Whether you're new to poster presentations or a seasoned professional, your work is valuable. Rejection is often a result of not meeting specific criteria, not a reflection of your potential.
Learn and Improve:
Use feedback from reviewers to enhance future submissions. The NSWOCC National Conference is known for its supportive environment, so take advantage of the opportunity to grow and refine your research presentation skills.
Stay Confident:
Every submission is an opportunity to contribute to the advancement of wound, ostomy, and continence care
Ready to Share Your Work? Submit Your Abstract Today!
Your research, case study, or quality improvement project can make a significant impact on wound, ostomy, and continence care. We invite all NSWOCC Members—from students to seasoned NSWOCs and SWANs—to submit your abstracts for the 44th National Conference.
Oral Abstracts Deadline: February 28, 2025
Poster Abstracts Deadline: March 31, 2025
Submit Here: NSWOCC Abstract Submission
Need Assistance?
Contact: abstracts@nswoc.ca or reach out directly to Dr. Kimberly LeBlanc at chair@wocinstitute.ca
We look forward to seeing your innovative work and learning from your valuable experiences at the conference. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your contributions to advancing NSWOC and SWAN practice!