Putting Patients First 2024: Building learning communities

 

November 14, 2024, Vancouver

 

Call for submissions

 

Visit the conference webpage.

Submissions are now closed.

 

Successful teams will be notified by the date below.

 

Key dates:

  • Notification of decision: September 26, 2024
  • Conference date: November 14, 2024

Why should I submit?

Projects meeting the submission criteria will be acknowledged in the conference program. Abstracts from accepted projects will be published in an online booklet following the event.

Selected posters will be displayed during the conference. The top three submissions will be invited to share their projects as a 10-minute oral presentation.

Presenters will receive a certificate of attendance after the conference.

Successful teams will receive a $250 travel bursary for patient partners presenting or co-presenting a poster.

Submissions overview

 

Submissions are welcomed from anyone who engages with any of the following groups:

  • researchers in universities, communities, and clinical settings (including SPOR-funded entities and networks)
  • trainees
  • patients, including family representatives and informal care providers
  • health care professionals
  • health system administrators and health professional organizations
  • Indigenous communities and organizations

Successful submissions will outline:

  • how the previously mentioned groups were engaged in the project
  • how the previously mentioned groups collaborated to explore and find solutions for a health problem (i.e. how learning communities were considered, built and/or engaged in the project)
  • key learnings, enablers and barriers encountered
  • how project findings were or will be implemented

Please note

  • Students are encouraged to participate with their projects.
  • Submissions can be made during any stage of the project life cycle (i.e. conceptual, starting, midway, completion, implementation).
  • If you are part of a team that has multiple submissions, please note that only one submission per primary presenter will be accepted.

About learning communities

 

What is a learning community?

 

A learning community brings people together to solve a shared health problem.

 

Learning communities are one of the first steps needed in a learning health system project.

 

We compare five different ways to integrate evidence into health care.

Who can be part of a learning community?

 

Learning communities can include care providers, patients and families, researchers and decision-makers, among others.

 

Read about the benefits.

Why learning communities?

 

Studies report learning health systems positively change health care1:

  • improve patient care and health outcomes
  • influence health care providers
  • save health system costs

Explore learning communities.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What are the deadlines?

Activity

Date

Submission deadline August 25, 2024, 11:59pm PST (late submissions will not be considered)
Notification of decision September 26, 2024
Conference date November 14, 2024

 

What do I need to submit?

Submissions must be text only, no longer than 600 words without charts or tables. The 600-word count does not include the title of your project, your team members’ names/affiliations, abstract subheadings, acknowledgements and references. Submissions should be written in plain language.

 

Submission must include the following sections.

 

Abstract information

  • abstract title
  • presenter name(s)
  • presenter role (select from list of partnership groups)
  • presenter affiliation (for those who work in or for an organization)
  • geographic health region where you live

 

Introduction and background

  • clearly specify the problem or issue being explored
  • clearly articulate the relevance of the problem to the health system

 

Learning community engagement

  • describe who needed to be involved in this work
  • describe the methods used to engage the groups in the learning community (e.g., Café Scientifique, advisory body)
  • describe the methods used (or to be used) to address the problem

 

Knowledge mobilization

  • describe how the learning community supported (or will support) the sharing or implementation of findings
  • describe the lessons learned about collaborating with a learning community
  • briefly describe the outcomes of the engagement

 

We welcome your contributions.

Who can submit an abstract?

Anyone who has led or been actively engaged in a project that addresses or explores challenges and opportunities for health system research and improvement. Submissions must be for collaboration-based work that shows how learning communities were involved.

What is the selection criteria?

Each submission will be adjudicated on the following criteria:

 

  • Project background: The background is clearly presented and includes definition of problem, methods, analysis, findings, implementation strategies.
  • Significance: The submission clearly demonstrates the relevance of the problem as it impacts the health and/or health research ecosystems.
  • Engagement: The submission shows how different groups are engaged and work together to address the problem.
  • Mobilization of knowledge or implementation: The submission clearly identifies how learnings from the project were applied (or will be applied) and briefly identify its ultimate impact.

 

Completed projects or projects in progress are welcome. Submissions should be written in plain language.

What is the selection process for submissions?

Submissions will be adjudicated by a team comprised of patients, researchers, health care providers, and health system decision-makers.

My project is still ongoing, and may not have conclusive results or outcomes. Can I still submit an abstract?

Yes, you are welcome to submit in-progress projects. We will consider projects at any stage of their life cycle (i.e. conceptual, starting, midway, completion, implementation). Regardless of the project’s stage, we encourage you to focus your submission on the engagement process.

 

All submissions must follow the same guidelines.

I have already presented my project at a different conference. Can I still submit it to this conference?

Yes, you can submit a project that you have already presented before. However, please check that your submission aligns with the theme of the conference and the submission criteria.

I am working on multiple projects. Can I submit more than one abstract?

Only one submission will be considered per project. For example, if you are working on two different projects, you are welcome to submit an abstract for each. If two different people each submit an abstract for the same project, only one submission will be considered.

My project involves multiple team members. On the submission form, who should I list as the primary presenter?

We encourage you to add the name and email of a team member who will be able to present in-person. Please note that if the abstract is accepted for poster presentation, we will ask you to indicate the list of authors.

My project takes place outside of BC or outside of Canada. Can I still submit it?

Yes. You can submit a project regardless of where it took place, as long as it fits the conference theme and criteria.

Can I submit a quality improvement project for consideration?

Yes, we welcome a wide variety of projects that reflect the work of learning communities. All submissions must follow the same guidelines.

Will you accept submissions after the deadline?

No, we’re unable to accept late submissions.

Is there a fee for submission?

No, there is no fee.

Can I include charts and figures in my submission?

No. Figures and charts should be included on posters, if selected.

Can I revise the abstract after submission?

The submission system allows you to edit your submission until the deadline, August 25, 2024, 11:59pm PST. No changes are possible after that date. Please check carefully before entering your submission.

If my abstract is selected, do I need to be in-person to present?

Yes, if your abstract is selected, the team members who are presenting will need to attend in-person.

Who will attend the conference, and how should I communicate my project?

We anticipate a diverse audience for the conference. Please ensure that your submission and your poster use plain language.

Can I submit a video or spoken abstract?

While we recognize the limitations of a written submission, we are unable to accept video or spoken abstracts at this time.

Will I get a certificate of participation if I present a poster? What are the other benefits?

All applicants meeting the submission criteria will be acknowledged in the conference program. Abstracts from accepted projects will be published in an online booklet following the event.

 

Presenters will be provided a certificate of attendance after the conference via email.

If my project is selected, what will I do on the day of the conference?

In the conference program, there will be a specific time slot for you to engage with attendees, answer questions and share your project. During this time, you will be asked to stand by your poster. Outside of this time, you are welcome to attend the presentations and other activities. More details will be provided to successful applicants.

 

Your poster will also be displayed throughout the day, and attendees will be able to visit and view it at their leisure.

How do I withdraw my submission?

Email us to withdraw your submission: ppf@healthresearchbc.ca

Do you have a template for posters?

Posters should be a maximum of 3 ft x 3 ft (36’’ x 36’’). We are not able to accommodate posters that exceed these dimensions. Include sections specified in the abstract submission: information, introduction and background, learning community engagement and knowledge mobilization. References and acknowledgements must also be included. Please ensure that your poster uses plain language.

 

Presenters are expected to print and bring their own materials to the conference. Conference organizers will provide boards to display posters.

 

Detailed instructions for posters will be sent to selected participants closer to the event.

Will the posters be printed or digital?

The posters will be printed. Presenters are expected to print and bring their own materials to the conference. Conference organizers will provide boards to display posters.

I am a patient partner. Will I get any support if I present a poster?

Please check with your research team or entity supporting patient engagement in the project. They may provide funding for patient partners to present at events as part of their team.

 

The BC SUPPORT Unit will provide successful teams with a travel bursary of $250 to support patient partners participating as main poster presenters or co-presenters. Bursary details will be shared with successful applicants.

I am a patient activist, public partner, community partner or part of a community advocacy group. Can I still submit a project?

Yes, we welcome you to submit your project. Please check that your submission aligns with the theme of the conference and the submission criteria.

 

The BC SUPPORT Unit will provide successful teams with a travel bursary of $250 to support partners from the above groups in participating as main poster presenters or co-presenters. Bursary details will be shared with successful applicants.

I live outside British Columbia. Can I submit an abstract?

Yes, however, you must make your own arrangements to attend the conference.

 

The BC SUPPORT Unit will provide successful teams with a travel bursary of $250 to support patient partners participating as main poster presenters or co-presenters. Bursary details will be shared with successful applicants.

If selected, I would like a patient partner to co-present with me. Do you provide funding for patient partners?

Please check with your research team or entity supporting patient engagement in the project. Many will provide funding for patient partners to attend events.

 

The BC SUPPORT Unit will provide successful teams with a travel bursary of $250 to support patient partners participating as main poster presenters or co-presenters. Bursary details will be shared with successful applicants.

Contact us

  • For questions about submissions or the conference:

    no position

    ppf@healthresearchbc.ca

    no phone

  • For technical questions about filling out the submission form:

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    vicki@f2fe.com

    no phone