How to Write an

Abstract & Make

a Great Poster
HamedAbbaszadegan,MD,MBA
ACPAZPoster/AbstractsChair
ChiefofHealthInformaticsOfficer
PhoenixVAHealthCareSystem
AssistantProfessorofInternal
Medicine&BiomedicalInformatics
UniversityofArizonaCollegeof
MedicinePhoenix

Overview
Abstract
TypesofPosters

ResearchPoster
CasePresentationPoster
QualityImprovementPoster
PatientSafetyPoster

Construction
Examples
Presentation
Judging/Evaluation

Purpose of a Poster

Communicateresearch

Toillustratekeypointsinavisually
stimulatingmanner

Torepresentyourselfandyourwork
topeersandcolleagues

Tonetworkwithleadersinyourfield
ofinterest

Abstract
AnAbstractisabriefsummary ofa
researcharticle,thesis,case.quickly
allowingthereadertoascertainthe
purpose.
Anabstractisusedasthebasisfor
selectingresearchproposedfor
presentation

Abstract Continued
Abstractwillformthebodyofyourposter
Takealreadyconcisedescriptionofyourwork
(abstract)andtransitionitintoanexciting,
interesting,accurateworkofart(poster)
Afteryouhaveselectedyourcaseorcompleted
yourresearch/project,reviewexamples
Programresearchdepartment
ACPwebsite linktowinning
abstracts
Friends/colleagues

Developing an Abstract
Purpose:
Applicationforposterpresentations
Makingselectionsfororalpresentations
Brieflysummarizework,allowingreaderto
quicklyascertainpurpose

Challenges:
Months/yearsofworkinto~300400words
Decidingifworkisworthentering

Research Abstract

TitleandAuthorInformation
Introduction
Methods
Results
Conclusion
250words

WritingaResearchAbstractonthe
ACPwebsiteunderResidentsand
Fellows
http://www.acponline.org/residents_fello
ws/competitions/abstract/prepare/

Looking at Examples as we go

Pros & Cons of Prior Poster

Background
Text
Colorscheme
Abstract

Clinical Vignette Abstract

TitleandAuthorInformation
Introduction
CaseDescription
Discussion
300words

Acaseworthreporting?

Classicexampleofunusualprocess
Unusualpresentationcommoncondition
Newdiagnosticstrategy
Costeffectiveapproach
Interestofothersismainlydeterminedby
your interest

Pros & Cons of Prior Poster

Colorscheme
Photos
LittleText
VisualImpact

Patient Safety & Quality

Improvement Abstract

TitleandAuthorInformation
Introductionoftopic
Methods
Results
Conclusion
300words

Categoryfocusingonimprovingpatient
safety,quality&evaluatingpatient
satisfaction.

Pros & Cons of Prior Poster

Clean
Lotsofgraphs
Littletext
Organizedtexts

Recap
Types/CategoriesofPosters:
ResearchPoster
CasePresentationPoster
QualityImprovementPoster
PatientSafety/SatisfactionPoster

Great Poster Elements

Easytoread/follow
Attractsviewersattention
Communicatesresultsof
investigation

Quick Response Code

QRCode

Poster Arrangement
Timing:
Viewerabletogleanmessagein35
minutes
Viewerabletoreadtextin10minutes

Organization
Organizationsimilartoscientific
article
Posterdescribesfindingsofresearch
project

How to Construct
AsinglePowerPointslide
Setsizeofsingleslide(notto
exceed46inchesX46inches)
Uselargefontfortext
BOLD font(always)
Checkposterinzoomviewtosee
truearrangement

Other points for Construction

Useatemplate/softwareprogram
Internetsearchpostertemplate
PowerPointformat
Oldposter deletetext,playwithbackground,
box/textsizes,format,images,color

Theroughdraftprocess
1stdraftonemonthpriortoconference
Considerations
Wordcount,prosestyle,grammar,fluidity,
figureclarity,spelling,aestheticappeal
Printonlettersizedpapertoassesslayoutchallenges

Details on Poster Content

Research Poster
Title;2linesorless
72pt.type,legibleat25feet
Clear,concise,direct

Intro; 200wordsorless

20pt.type
Definetheissue
Establishthepurposeofyourwork
Justifyyourexperimentalapproach
Provideaclearhypothesis

MaterialsandMethods;approximately200words

Usefiguresandtablestoillustrateexperimentaldesign
Useflowchartstosummarizetimingofevents
Includephotographorlabeleddrawing
Outlinestatisticalplan
24

Research Poster, continued

Results; approximately200words
Providequalitative/descriptiveresults
Presentanalysesthatspecificallyaddressthehypothesis
Refertochartsorimages

Discussion;approximately300words

Remindtheviewerofthehypothesis
Discussif/whyresultswereconclusive
Pointoutrelevanceoffindingstootherpublishedwork
Discusslimitationsofthework
Highlightfuturedirectionsoftheresearch

25

Research Poster, continued

Conclusion;approximatelytwosentences
Concisesummary
Remindsviewerofrelevance

References
Approximately510citations
Standardformat

Acknowledgement
Assistanceandfinancialsupport
26

Case Presentation Poster

Title
Introduction

CasePresentation:
HistoryofPresentIllness
HospitalCourse
FamilyHistory
SocialHistory
Labs,Images,Studies
Discussion

References
27

Case Presentation Poster

Introduction brieflyintroducetypeof
condition/diseaseprocess pathogenesis,
etiology,microbiology,epidemiologyif
relevant
HPI classicacademichistoryandphysical.
Ageofpatient,importantpastmedical
history,presentingcomplaint,eventsleading
topresentation
HospitalCourse pertinent(+)and()
findingsonphysicalexam,workupand
treatmentplan,involvementofconsultants,
clinicalprogress
28

Case Poster Continued

FamilyHistory
SocialHistory
PertinentLabs
Images
Visualadditionsattractandinform
viewersmoreeffectivelythantext
Detailsongraphsandphotosviewedfrom
6ftaway
Thingrayorblackborderaroundphotos
Digital,highqualityphotographs web
imageshavepoorprintingresolution
29

Patient Safety & Quality

Improvement Poster
Ifanintervention/pollwas
performedonagroup research
format
Ifattentionisbeingdrawntoan
issueorconcern vignetteformat
Samegeneralguidelines,room
forcreativityseeexamplefrom
earlier

Judging

Originality
CasePresentationMethodology
VisualImpact
Interview(presentation)

THANK YOU!
Contactinformation:
Hamed.Abbaszadegan@va.gov