Writing a Better Abstract

Choose the right team

Choose the right venue ACP SHM SGIM AGA WSEA AAPA AANP AAFP

Recognize the Types of Abstracts Research Process Innovations Clinical cases/vignettes

Read the rules ACP vignette: Introduction, case description discussion SHM vignette: Case presentation, discussion, conclusions ACP research: Introduction, methods, results, conclusions SHM research: Background, methods, results, conclusions

Read the rules Follow word count Check the deadline Choose your category wisely Read last year’s abstracts

The hidden curriculum Submit early Have a co-author Choose your title wisely Use easy to read fonts, size, spacing Use person-first language Follow standard grammar rules Avoid jargon and excessive abbreviations

The hidden curriculum Emphasize what matters to the reader: Methods, results, conclusions > introduction Discussion, conclusion, pertinent positives > overly full HPI, irrelevant background Be explicit about who is your audience Is this truly innovative or worthy of a case write-up? ‘What the Hospitalist Needs to Know’ Read and re-read it for simplicity