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