1. How to Write a Successful Abstract Lori Wiener, DCSW, PhD Co-Director, Behavioral Health Core Director, Psychosocial Support and Research Program Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research National Cancer Institute

2. Presentation Overview:
Types of abstracts
Components of abstracts
Review criteria
Typical methods for scoring

3. Presentation Types:
Oral presentation
Poster presentation

4. Types of Abstracts: Research abstracts Clinical case study
Clinical research
Systematic literature review
Clinical case study
Clinical policy/Program evaluation

5. Research Abstract

6. Abstract Components: Background/Purpose Methods Results Conclusions
Research Implications/Clinical Implications
Learning Objectives

7. Background* The first sentence should clearly introduce the topic.
Build on the topic. Summarize previous work, including deficiencies of the existing research.
Describe the key research question.
* Topic, Purpose, Research Question

8. Methods: How you conducted your study and what exactly you did.
What was the research design?
Who were the participants?
Where did the study take place?
What was the sample size? Control group?
What treatments/assessments were administered?
How did you recruit participants?
Describe primary outcomes measured (e.g. reduced distress, pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue).

9. Results: Describe the results/findings from your study.
This is the most important part of the abstract since readers learn about the findings of your study. Give details.
Example: Response rates differed significantly between mothers and fathers of pediatric cancer patients.
Example: The response rate was higher in mothers than in fathers of pediatric cancer patients (49% vs 30%, respectively; P<0.01).

10. Conclusion:
The important take home message should be presented here. It should often relate to the primary outcome measured in the study.
Describe any additional findings of importance.
Do not claim more than the data suggests.
The importance of the findings related to clinical work, future research, or the field should be included.

11. Program Abstract

12. Program abstract:
Background: clinical reason why the program was developed
Description of program
Findings: evaluations completed if available (approximately 2 sentences)
Future directions/needs for your program/future programs (1-2 sentences)

13. Case Presentation Abstract

14. Case Presentation: Background referral problem
Assessment and treatment plan
Results
Challenges
Clinical significance to field of pediatric oncology social work

15. Background: The first sentence should clearly introduce the topic.
Build on the topic. Summarize previous work (deficiencies of this existing research).
e.g. Children with cancer can experience anxiety pertaining to body image changes. Limited research has been conducted in this area.
Why the referral was made/client was seen

16. Assessment / Treatment Plan:
Describe your assessment of critical clinical issues.
Describe your/team interventions

17. Results, Challenges, Clinical Significance:
Briefly describe the results of your/teams interventions (1- 2 sentences)
Describe challenges (1-2 sentences)
Clinical significance to the field of pediatric oncology social work (1 sentence)

18. Review and Revise

19. Read your abstract all the way through:
Add transition words to tie ideas together
Eliminate unnecessary content
Add things that are missing,
Correct mechanical errors
Avoid vague adjectives (very, many)
Proofread!
Have a colleague provide feedback