Writing an abstract in

English
GRAMMAR TIPS
Different elements in your Abstract

• Introduction of the theme

• Description / Purpose of the study / Central issue
• Methods used in the study
• Results and analysis of these results
• Conclusion
Journal of Nursing and Healthcare of Chronic Illness3, 361–371 Determining complementary and alternative medicine methods used by
paediatrichaematology–oncology patients.

The aim of this study is to determine the complementary and alternative medicine methods used by
paediatric haematology–oncology patients. Complementary and alternative treatment methods have
become attractive to patients around the world in recent years, even though the benefits may not have been
proven scientifically.
This descriptive study was undertaken in the haematology–oncology services and clinics of Children’s
Hospital between the dates of March 1–July 31 2009. A total of 110 patients’ families participated.
Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used. It was found that 76.4% of the paediatric oncology
patients were being treated for acute lympho-blastic leukaemia, 87.3% of the patients’ families were
satisfied with the medical treatment that their children had received and 97.3% were benefiting from
complementary and alternative medicine methods.
Families were mostly familiar with prayer, imagery, herbal treatment and massage methods and they used
mostly prayer, imagery, massage and herbal treatment methods, respectively. Healthcare professionals
should have knowledge about CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) usage and methods. It is
very important that medical staff discuss CAM usage with their patients and families because medical
treatment may be delayed or discontinued.
Journal of Nursing and Healthcare of Chronic Illness3, 361–371 Determining complementary and alternative medicine methods used by paediatric
haematology–oncology patients.

The aim of this study is to determine the complementary and alternative medicine methods used by
paediatric haematology–oncology patients. Complementary and alternative treatment methods have
become attractive to patients around the world in recent years, even though the benefits may not have
been proven scientifically.
This descriptive study was undertaken in the haematology–oncology services and clinics of Children’s
Hospital between the dates of March 1–July 31 2009. A total of 110 patients’ families participated.
Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used.
It was found that 76.4% of the paediatric oncology patients were being treated for acute lympho-blastic
leukaemia, 87.3% of the patients’ families were satisfied with the medical treatment that their children had
received and 97.3% were benefiting from complementary and alternative medicine methods.
Families were mostly familiar with prayer, imagery, herbal treatment and massage methods and they used
mostly prayer, imagery, massage and herbal treatment methods, respectively. Healthcare professionals
should have knowledge about CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) usage and methods. It is
very important that medical staff discuss CAM usage with their patients and families because medical
treatment may be delayed or discontinued.
In this text, which tenses or structures did
you identify?
In this text, which tenses or structures did
you identify?

• Present Simple

• Preterit

• Passive voice
The aim of this study is to determine the complementary and alternative medicine
methods used by paediatric haematology–oncology patients. Complementary and
alternative treatment methods have become attractive to patients around the world in
recent years, even though the benefits may not have been proven scientifically.

PRESENT SIMPLE – used here to introduce the subject, where you will establish your
central issue (before doing any research).

Tip : when using the third person singular, the verb requires an “S” ending.
This descriptive study was undertaken in the haematology–oncology services and
clinics of Children’s Hospital between the dates of March 1–July 31 2009. A total of 110
patients’ families participated.
Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used.

PRETERIT – to describe the methods used to investigate in a specific situation. You

describe what was done.

The PASSIVE VOICE (were selected / were analyzed) help focus on the methods /
results and not on the people who found them, this is very common in scientific writing.

Tip : if you use irregular verbs, you need to know their form in the PRETERIT.
It was found that 76.4% of the paediatric oncology patients were being treated for acute
lympho-blastic leukaemia, 87.3% of the patients’ families were satisfied with the
medical treatment that their children had received and 97.3% were benefiting from
complementary and alternative medicine methods.

PRETERIT – to describe the results of the research. You describe what was found.

Tip : if you use irregular verbs, you need to know their form in the PRETERIT.
Families were mostly familiar with prayer, imagery, herbal treatment and massage
methods and they used mostly prayer, imagery, massage and herbal treatment methods,
respectively. Healthcare professionals should have knowledge about CAM
(complementary and alternative medicine) usage and methods. It is very important that
medical staff discuss CAM usage with their patients and families because medical
treatment may be delayed or discontinued.

PRESENT SIMPLE – When you conclude, your abstract establishes the link between the
findings and your central issue.

USE OF MODALS – When you conclude, You usually use modal auxiliaries to express
nuances in your thinking.
The purpose of this study was to explore the personal experiences related to medication management of
community‐dwelling older adults diagnosed with dementia, their informal caregivers, as well as healthcare
professionals who assist them.
Older adults who have dementia face many challenges in managing their medications while living in the
community. Medication regimens used to treat a variety of conditions in older adults with dementia are usually
overseen and coordinated by healthcare professionals such as community nurses, physicians and pharmacists.
However, little research has been conducted to study the barriers and facilitators to medication adherence in this
unique population.

Using a grounded theory approach, 57 interviews were completed (10 nurses, 10 pharmacists, 6 physicians, 20
caregivers and 11 patients) in southern Ontario, Canada, in 2007.

The findings indicate that the processes of medication management differed according to the level of dementia. A
number of corresponding facilitators and barriers to medication management were identified.

Older adults with dementia, their informal caregivers and the healthcare professionals who assist them are faced
with the challenges of declining cognitive function and memory while trying to manage medications at home.
However, a number of adherence strategies appear to be helpful and should be considered.
Healthcare professionals struggle with helping older adults who have dementia manage medications safely and
therapeutically. Future work is needed to design, implement and evaluate supportive networks and interventions
with the goal of helping older adults with dementia manage their medications better while living in the community.
The purpose of this study was to explore the personal experiences related to medication management of
community‐dwelling older adults diagnosed with dementia, their informal caregivers, as well as healthcare
professionals who assist them.
Older adults who have dementia face many challenges in managing their medications while living in the
community. Medication regimens used to treat a variety of conditions in older adults with dementia are usually
overseen and coordinated by healthcare professionals such as community nurses, physicians and pharmacists.
However, little research has been conducted to study the barriers and facilitators to medication adherence in
this unique population.

Using a grounded theory approach, 57 interviews were completed (10 nurses, 10 pharmacists, 6 physicians, 20
caregivers and 11 patients) in southern Ontario, Canada, in 2007.

The findings indicated that the processes of medication management differed according to the level of
dementia. A number of corresponding facilitators and barriers to medication management were identified.

Older adults with dementia, their informal caregivers and the healthcare professionals who assist them are faced
with the challenges of declining cognitive function and memory while trying to manage medications at home.
However, a number of adherence strategies appear to be helpful and should be considered.
Healthcare professionals struggle with helping older adults who have dementia manage medications safely and
therapeutically. Future work is needed to design, implement and evaluate supportive networks and interventions
with the goal of helping older adults with dementia manage their medications better while living in the community.
The purpose of this study was to explore the personal experiences related to
medication management of community‐dwelling older adults diagnosed with
dementia, their informal caregivers, as well as healthcare professionals who assist
them.
Older adults who have dementia face many challenges in managing their
medications while living in the community. Medication regimens used to treat a
variety of conditions in older adults with dementia are usually overseen and
coordinated by healthcare professionals such as community nurses, physicians and
pharmacists. However, little research has been conducted to study the barriers and
facilitators to medication adherence in this unique population.
The purpose of this study was to explore the personal experiences related to
medication management of community‐dwelling older adults diagnosed with
dementia, their informal caregivers, as well as healthcare professionals who assist
them.
Older adults who have dementia face many challenges in managing their
medications while living in the community. Medication regimens used to treat a
variety of conditions in older adults with dementia are usually overseen and
coordinated by healthcare professionals such as community nurses, physicians and
pharmacists. However, little research has been conducted to study the barriers and
facilitators to medication adherence in this unique population.

Introducing the central issue

Using a grounded theory approach, 57 interviews were completed (10 nurses, 10
pharmacists, 6 physicians, 20 caregivers and 11 patients) in southern Ontario,
Canada, in 2007.
Using a grounded theory approach, 57 interviews were completed (10 nurses, 10
pharmacists, 6 physicians, 20 caregivers and 11 patients) in southern Ontario,
Canada, in 2007.

Describing the methods

The findings indicated that the processes of medication management differed
according to the level of dementia. A number of corresponding facilitators and
barriers to medication management were identified.
The findings indicated that the processes of medication management differed
according to the level of dementia. A number of corresponding facilitators and
barriers to medication management were identified.

Describing the results

Older adults with dementia, their informal caregivers and the healthcare
professionals who assist them are faced with the challenges of declining cognitive
function and memory while trying to manage medications at home. However, a
number of adherence strategies appear to be helpful and should be considered.
Healthcare professionals struggle with helping older adults who have dementia
manage medications safely and therapeutically. Future work is needed to design,
implement and evaluate supportive networks and interventions with the goal of
helping older adults with dementia manage their medications better while living in the
community.
Older adults with dementia, their informal caregivers and the healthcare
professionals who assist them are faced with the challenges of declining cognitive
function and memory while trying to manage medications at home. However, a
number of adherence strategies appear to be helpful and should be considered.
Healthcare professionals struggle with helping older adults who have dementia
manage medications safely and therapeutically. Future work is needed to design,
implement and evaluate supportive networks and interventions with the goal of
helping older adults with dementia manage their medications better while living in the
community.

Concluding by linking the results with your central issue

The purpose of this study (be) to explore needs of parents of very preterm infants hospitalised in Neonatal
Intensive Care Units according to their socioeconomic position, obstetric history and infant’s characteristics.
Individual quantitative questionnaires (hand out) (n = 118 mothers; 89 fathers) during infants’ hospitalisation;
couples-based semi-structured interviews (carry out) (n = 26) four months after childbirth (July 2013–June
2014).
Mothers (value) more information needs than fathers and their overall scores (mainly influence) by age and
educational level, while fathers’ needs perceptions (influence) by previous children. Despite gender differences,
the assurance and proximity needs of parents (apply) across sociotechnical environments.
Qualitative findings (add) the following needs: instrumental support from the government; regular emotional
support from psychologists and social workers; enhancement of privacy to assure family-centred information
and comfort; and availability of peers and health professionals as mediators in the provision of coherent
information.
The promotion of family-friendly and gender-equality policies (be) crucial to support family integrated
healthcare services. This study (raise) awareness for developing sensitive conceptual frameworks and
instruments to assess parents’ needs considering their socioeconomic position and reproductive trajectories, as
well as privacy and regular emotional support in the neonatal intensive care unit.
The purpose of this study is to explore needs of parents of very preterm infants hospitalised in Neonatal
Intensive Care Units according to their socioeconomic position, obstetric history and infant’s characteristics.
Individual quantitative questionnaires were handed out (n = 118 mothers; 89 fathers) during infants’
hospitalisation; couples-based semi-structured interviews were carried out (n = 26) four months after childbirth
(July 2013–June 2014).
Mothers valued more information needs than fathers and their overall scores were mainly influenced by age
and educational level, while fathers’ needs perceptions were influenced by previous children. Despite gender
differences, the assurance and proximity needs of parents apply across sociotechnical environments.
Qualitative findings added the following needs: instrumental support from the government; regular emotional
support from psychologists and social workers; enhancement of privacy to assure family-centred information
and comfort; and availability of peers and health professionals as mediators in the provision of coherent
information.
The promotion of family-friendly and gender-equality policies is crucial to support family integrated healthcare
services. This study raises awareness for developing sensitive conceptual frameworks and instruments to assess
parents’ needs considering their socioeconomic position and reproductive trajectories, as well as privacy and
regular emotional support in the neonatal intensive care unit.
The aim of this study (be) to expose the basic social process that (provide) contextual understanding of
caregivers of children with special health needs experiences in healthcare professional relationships. Previous
research (focus) on caregiver perceptions of unmet needs, the relationship between family‐centred care and
caregiver well‐being and satisfaction. However, the relationship between relationship dynamics, family‐centred
care doctrine, unmet caregiver expectations and caregiver‐perceived competence (show/not).

In 2007, 13 caregivers of children with a disability between ages 2 and 14 years (interview). Strauss and
Corbin’s grounded theory method (use) to synthesise a core social process about how interactions between
caregivers and healthcare professionals impacted caregivers’ abilities to meet the needs of their child and
family.

The core social process (reveal) that caregivers (work) relationships with healthcare professionals in an attempt
to optimise the amount of time and use of available time to positively influence information sharing and be
validated and supported. ‘Working the relationship’ (be) symbolic of the amount of time, and purposeful effort
caregivers (expend) in their role, trying to influence the healthcare professional to address their expectations.
When needs (be) unmet, caregivers (force) to adapt their expectations and develop strategies to regenerate
themselves to maintain a sense of stability in life.

These findings (reinforce) the need for listening to what caregivers (report) they (need) in relationships to feel
competent. Modifying family‐centred care doctrine to explicitly address caregiver concerns (be) worthy of future
research, considering the consequence for caregiver competence in care‐giving roles.
The aim of this study is to expose the basic social process that provides contextual understanding of
caregivers of children with special health needs experiences in healthcare professional relationships. Previous
research has focused on caregiver perceptions of unmet needs, the relationship between family‐centred care
and caregiver well‐being and satisfaction. However, the relationship between relationship dynamics, family‐
centred care doctrine, unmet caregiver expectations and caregiver‐perceived competence has not been
shown.

In 2007, 13 caregivers of children with a disability between ages 2 and 14 years were interviewed. Strauss
and Corbin’s grounded theory method was used to synthesise a core social process about how interactions
between caregivers and healthcare professionals impacted caregivers’ abilities to meet the needs of their child
and family.

The core social process revealed that caregivers worked relationships with healthcare professionals in an
attempt to optimise the amount of time and use of available time to positively influence information sharing and
be validated and supported. ‘Working the relationship’ is symbolic of the amount of time, and purposeful effort
caregivers expended in their role, trying to influence the healthcare professional to address their expectations.
When needs were unmet, caregivers were forced to adapt their expectations and develop strategies to
regenerate themselves to maintain a sense of stability in life.

These findings reinforce the need for listening to what caregivers report they need in relationships to feel
competent. Modifying family‐centred care doctrine to explicitly address caregiver concerns is worthy of future
research, considering the consequence for caregiver competence in care‐giving roles.