Abstract 101: Submitting an Abstract
to the Symposium
to the Symposium
Ann Laramee MS ANP-BC ACNS-BC CHFN
C Ch i f th N i R h d EBP
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Co Chair for the Nursing Research and EBP Symposium
QI abstracts
SQUIRE Guidelines (Standards for QUality Improvement Reporting Excellence)
Or find on our website:
www.uvm.edu~/kappatau
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General Pearls
• Follow guidelines to tee
• Remember this is all the reviewer has to go on • This takes time plan ahead
• This takes time plan ahead • Careful proof reading!!
• Ask someone else, not in your field to proofread • Set aside for a few days and read again
• Avoid too many abbreviations • Use structured formats
G t t
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• Get a mentor
• Review examples of abstracts submitted
Abstract Guidelines
• a) One page, 8.5”x11” using 12 Times Roman font
• b) One inch margins all around
• c) Use the following headings:c) Use the following headings:
• Title, Authors,
• Purpose of Study
• Rationale and Significance
• Description of Methodology
• Subjects
• Findings
• Conclusions
Please evaluate the clarity and scientific accuracy of each section of the abstract. Not seen (0) Poor (1) Good (2) Excellent (3) Purpose Rationale or significance significance Methods Subjects Findings Conclusion Recommendations for future study
Reviewer Comments (please make):
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Total Reviewer Score: _______/21 possible. Score of 10 would be a minimum to accept.
Review Criteria: 1. Advances in nursing knowledge or practice; represents a novel topic or an innovative approach • Does the abstract address a relevant and significant problem?
• Does the abstract present either a new or novel approach to a cutting-edge topic? • Are the findings likely to impact the practice or delivery of care?
• Does the abstract contain results?
2 Research design and methodology are rigorous and appropriate for the study question? 2. Research design and methodology are rigorous and appropriate for the study question? • Is the study question and/or hypothesis clearly and succinctly stated?
• Is the study design appropriate for the study questions?
• Is the sample appropriate for the study questions and methodology? • If the abstract is a literature review, does it utilize rigorous methodology?
3. Conclusions address the study question and are supported by appropriate analyses and the results obtained
• Is the analysis sound, appropriate and sufficiently described?
• Are the results clearly presented, and if applicable, are measures of significance or • association or effect sizes stated?
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• Are the conclusions substantiated by the results?
4. Overall presentation
• Is the abstract well-organized and clearly written? • Does the abstract reflect a thoughtful submission?
Title
Catchy, compelling but descriptive
Example –
NURSES’ ATTITUDE TOWARD THE
ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD STILL UNCERTAIN AFTER 6 MONTHS
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Purpose
• Limit to 1 or 2 sentences; these can be directly
from a study
Fl di tl f th bl t t t th t
• Flow directly from the problem statement that
you identified in the background
• Critical element because
–it tells the reviewer exactly what to expect in
the rest of the abstract
–reviewer makes judgment about the
–reviewer makes judgment about the
Compare nurses’ perception/attitudes pre/post implementation of a comprehensive electronic
( )
Example of Purpose
health record (EHR) at a rural, academic medical center.
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Background/Rationale/Significance
Use a problem statement approach
Despite the fact that ___ strokes/MIs occur
annually,
Little is known about …
Information is lacking about…
The American Hospital Association’s 2008 survey of 3049 acute care hospitals found that <2% of hospitals had a
comprehensive EHR, 9% have a basic EHR system, & 17% have computerized physician order entry. Since few hospitals
Example of Background
have an EHR, many nurses will be involved in future EHR implementations. Knowledge of nurses’ feelings about EHRs can guide implementation teams in optimization of
communication, addressing misconceptions and offer valued insight. Given the organizational investment and commitment to successfully implement an EHR, understanding baseline
ttit d d t ti i i t l Willi f
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nurse attitudes and expectations is pivotal. Willingness of nurses to adopt EHRs is a major determinant of
implementation success, as nurses are the largest workforce. Little is known about the nurses’ perception of EHR
implementation process or the impact of an EHR on the nurse’s ability to provide quality patient care.
Methods
Tells the study’s structure in an organized way:
Design
Procedure
Sample
Measures
Stronge and Brodt’s (1985) Nurses’ Attitudes Towards Computerization Questionnaire was modified to reflect the EHR and four previously
Example of Methods
p y
author identified EHR implementation themes. The pre-survey was sent12/08 to RNs/LPNs before EHR implementation and training. Nurses were resurveyed 12/09, 6 months post EHR
implementation. Data analysis includes (STATA
8 2) t t il d t t t f i hi
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8.2) two tailed t-test for comparisons; chi-square tests and multivariate regression to detect changes and/or measurable differences between variables.
Subjects
Not subject but sample or participants
Helps reader to know about generalizability
499 of 1913 nurses completed the baseline survey (26% response rate) and 546 nurses
6 /
Example of Subjects
completed the post 6-month survey. Pre/post subject demographics were similar with the majority female, BSN prepared RNs, employed fulltime, 39% age 50-59.
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Findings
• Data are essential
• Data are presented that directly address the
purpose
• Detail needed to assess the specific aim
• Never say “will be discussed”
• Succinct summary of exact details
• Avoid burying reader in minutiae
• Avoid burying reader in minutiae
Maximum possible score for the Stronge & Brodt’s survey is100 with higher scores indicating more positive attitudes. Pre-survey mean was 74.24; post 6-month survey was 66.16. Clinically significant shifts in nurse attitudes include: (% of nurses that agreed or strongly agreed). EHRs will allow the nurse more time for professional tasks pre 42%/
Example of Findings page 1
post 16%,
• Computerization of nursing data offers nurses a remarkable opportunity to improve patient care pre 71%/post 48%,
• EHRs can cause nurses to give less time to quality nursing care pre 9%/post 50%,
• EHRs make nurses’ jobs easier pre 60%/post 37%,
• EHRs allow the nursing staff to be more efficient pre 58%/ post 32%,
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EHRs allow the nursing staff to be more efficient pre 58%/ post 32%, and
• Increased EHR use will allow nurses more time to give patient care pre 46%/post 22%.
6-month open-ended questions expressed
frustration with adapting to the change,
Example of Findings page 2
disappointment in the implementation process yet hope that things will get better. “Even 6 months out, we are still having difficultly with staff getting out on time and charting in "real-time". I do believe this will get better as more enhancements are made ”
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Conclusion
Does not simply repeat the results
Interprets the results
Does not say “will be discussed”
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6 months post implementation of an EHR nurses
attitudes did not become more positive towards the EHR. Prior to EHR implementation nurses were uncertain yet
Example of Conclusion
Prior to EHR implementation nurses were uncertain yet optimistic about the benefits. Nurses perceive the EHR as cumbersome, time consuming, leaving less time for patient care.
Recommendations for future studies
Presents implications for future research or
practice
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Further study is required to determine at what
point nurses fully accept and EHR.
Example of Recommendations
What Reviewers Look For:
Informative title
Significant problem
Clearly written abstract
Precise, concise, don’t waste words
Data
Striking conclusion that builds on data
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Things to remember about Reviewers
• They are most likely NOT an expert in your specific area of research
• Don’t use jargon unique to your area
• Don’t assume that everyone understands why your study is important
• Avoid writing in a highly technical, obscure manner • Simple, straightforward, small words, no wasted
d words
Lets work on yours……..
Ideas?