Research Symposium | Maryland University of Integrative Health | 7750 Montpelier Road | Laurel, Maryland 20723 | http://muih.edu
Abstract Writing and Submission
Guideline: Case Report Category
Section I: Abstract Writing
Overview
Use the following guidelines to write an abstract in the category of “case report” (i.e.
the presentation of a specific client from your clinical practice.)
A good abstract provides a well-organized, detailed, and transparent summary of your
work. Writing a quality abstract is an important step in having your work accepted for
presentation at the Symposium or any academic conference. Accepted abstracts will be
published on the MUIH website prior to the Symposium and, if done well, will help
generate interest in your work.
Guidelines (All fields must be included in your abstract)
Note: All fields must be included in your abstract and your completed
abstract must be 300 words or less (not including title and author
information).
Title: Approximately 10–12 words identifying key components of your case report.
When applicable, include components such as client’s primary reason for seeking care,
clinical assessment, and/or main treatment. The title should make it clear that the
poster is a case report. Capitalize the first word of the title, all “major” words, and all
words of four letters or more.
Author Information: List initial(s) and last name of all authors in descending order of
Symposium 2016
Research Symposium | Maryland University of Integrative Health | 7750 Montpelier Road | Laurel, Maryland 20723 | http://muih.edu
contribution. If a senior researcher is involved in the project, they can be listed last.
Include academic affiliation for each of the authors (e.g. Nutrition Department, MUIH).
Background: Briefly describe the background for the case. Introduce the issue that
the case addresses. Explain why this case is noteworthy and what it adds to current
knowledge. This section helps answer the question, “why should we care?” You may
want to end the introduction with a sentence that states explicitly why the case is being
reported.
Case Description: This section should be the longest and most detailed part of the
abstract. Relevant information may include basic demographics, client’s main symptoms
or other reasons for seeking care, clinical findings, clinical assessment, treatment plan,
and health outcomes. Given the space limitations, include only the information relevant
to your reason for presenting the case.
Conclusion: This section should state the main “take-home” lesson(s) from the case.
If reporting on outcomes, remember that case reports do not typically demonstrate
cause and effect. Be careful not to overstate the conclusions but instead describe the
strengths and limitations of the case. You may want to add a sentence or two about
the implications of the case for practice or future research.
Examples
: Here are three sample abstracts for case reports. The abstracts are from
journal articles, not posters, but they include all the relevant components. Note: There
are many variations to abstracts. None of the following abstracts follow the exact
content as described above.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25532007
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24731906
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24278841
Research Symposium | Maryland University of Integrative Health | 7750 Montpelier Road | Laurel, Maryland 20723 | http://muih.edu
Section II: Abstract Submission
Follow the instructions below to complete the Abstract Submission Form for Case
Reports. The deadline for abstract submission is 11/30/2015. The Program Committee
will review abstracts on a rolling basis and notifications of acceptance will be sent no
later than 12/18/2015.
The form elements and instructions for the Abstract Submission Form in the poster
category of “Case Report” are as follows:
Form Element
Instructions
Name and Academic
Affiliation for Presenting
Author
Enter the first and last name of the “presenting author”.
The presenting author 1) must be responsible for at least
as much work on the poster as anyone else, 2) will serve as
the contact person going forward, and 3) will present the
poster at the Symposium (Note: If the “presenting author”
cannot attend the Symposium, he/she must be available for
a pre-arranged phone call if judges have questions about
the poster.)
Select the primary department and academic affiliation for
the presenting author (e.g. Nutrition Department, MUIH).
Primary Role at MUIH
Select the primary institutional role (Student, Graduate,
Faculty, or Staff) for the presenting author
Email Address
Enter the “@muih.edu” email address for the presenting
author (or other primary email address if a graduate of
MUIH)
Additional Authors
Enter the initial(s) and last name of all other authors on the
poster. Select the primary department and academic
affiliation for each of the authors (e.g. Nutrition
Department, MUIH).
Note: If the poster wins an award, all authors will be
recognized as awardees but the monetary award will go the
presenting author.
Title of Poster
Enter the title for your abstract (See Section I of this
document for guidance)
Background
Enter the “Background” for your abstract (See Section I of
this document for guidance)
Note: When adding together the “Background”, “Case
Description”, and “Conclusion” sections, the total word
count cannot exceed 300 words.
Research Symposium | Maryland University of Integrative Health | 7750 Montpelier Road | Laurel, Maryland 20723 | http://muih.edu
Form Element
Instructions
Case Description
Enter the “Case Description” for your abstract (See Section
I of this document for guidance)
Conclusion
Enter the “Conclusion” for your abstract (See Section I of
this document for guidance)
Symposium Participation
Statement
Presenting author, choose the statement that reflects your
ability to participate in the Symposium.
The options are:
• If my abstract is accepted, I will be physically present to
discuss my poster at the MUIH Symposium from 4pm to
8pm Eastern Standard Time on 3/11/2016.
• If my abstract is accepted, I will not be physically
present at the Symposium. If requested, I will make
myself available for a pre-arranged phone call to discuss
the poster with the judges.
