Conference Abstract Submission Guidelines
Categories
The BDNG’s Research Support Sub Group is accepting abstracts for Conference 2016.
Scientific abstracts are intended to communicate the findings of qualitative or quantitative research
studies or good quality audits, undertaken using formal research methods and meeting a quality
threshold.
Case histories are intended to encourage active and thoughtful authors to share unusual or
interesting cases with colleagues, with the intention of providing novel information and stimulating
debate.
General interest submissions are those which do not constitute formal research but would be of
interest to the practice, service organisation or personal development of dermatology care providers
The history of dermatological care and how our past informs the present and influences the future
of dermatology care.
All abstracts will be reviewed by the Research Support Sub Group who will assign the submission to
the most appropriate category and will apply quality criteria. Recommendation will be made for
inclusion in the conference programme as an oral presentation, for presentation as a poster in the
concourse, or in some cases for revision or outright rejection. Note, we are introducing a system in
which submissions which do not quite fit the format for inclusion but which are considered readily
remedied will be returned to the authors for a one-off chance to revise and resubmit.
PRESENTATION METHOD – ORAL and/or POSTER
Some people do not wish to speak in a public forum or may have an existing poster and so may elect
to submit their work only for consideration as a poster presentation. If you nominate during the
submission process to submit for ‘either oral and/ or poster presentation then depending on the
outcome of the review process and availability of oral presentations slots you may be nominated to
deliver your work as an oral presentation as requested or you may be offered a poster presentation
as an alternative. All oral presentations are requested to also produce a poster.
Deadlines
In order to be considered for inclusion as an oral presentation or poster, abstracts must be received
in the first call, the deadline for which is 25 March 2016.
Publication of abstracts
Abstracts designated as scientific research and meeting quality criteria agreed with editorial board of
“Dermatological Nursing” the journal of the BDNG, will be eligible for publication in Dermatological
Nursing. Depending on quality, abstracts of other types and with invited presentations or posters
may also be considered for publication in the journal.
Conference registration
If your abstract is accepted for either Oral or Poster presentation at least one author MUST register
for the conference at the early bird registration rates. PLEASE NOTE that in order to confirm you are
attending the BDNG Annual Conference to present your submission, you must register and pay by
this date to ensure inclusion of your abstract in the Conference handbook.
If we have not received your registration by this date your abstract may be removed from the
Conference programme and materials.
Attending co-authors will need to register independently at the applicable rate if they wish to attend
any part of the Conference.
Submission Guidelines
Abstract Format (all submission oral and poster)
Abstracts MUST be submitted using the online entry template provided.
You may submit more than one abstract.
Submissions not conforming to the guidelines will be rejected outright.
Word limit - The maximum size for any submission is 350 words including references.
Tables and figures - Abstracts submitted to the scientific committee cannot include graphics or
formatted tables or pictures, although these can of course be added to the final oral or poster
presentation. Note abstracts submitted that contain formatted tables or graphics will automatically
be precluded from allocation to the Research Support Sub Group.
Content - All abstracts require the following minimum information
The title of the article (no more than 20 words). Capitalise only the first word not each one. No full
stop at the end. Please DO NOT use upper case for the title.
A list of the full names and institutional affiliations for all authors
A nominated correspondence author including an email address
To facilitate a blind review process No identifying features such as names of hospitals, clinics or cities
should be listed in the title or body text of the abstract.
Data – where a submission is data driven, an abstract cannot be accepted on the basis of promises
of future data. Statements such as “ the author will present details of a study on…” do not provide
sufficient information for the Research Support Sub Group to provide a judgment on relevance to
the members. Where appropriate, summary data must included in the abstract to be included in the
resulting presentation or poster.
Referencing style template – Harvard Referencing style is required for submitted abstracts and a
pre-requisite for being offered for publication in Dermatological Nursing.
Format: Author of Standard – Surname, Initials. (Year of publication - in brackets). Standard Number:
Year Title of the standard in italics or underlined. Place of Publication: Name of Publisher.
Scientific Research abstracts
In addition to the title and word limit information above, scientific abstracts should be formatted as
follows:
Background, the context and purpose of the study;
Methods, how the study was performed and statistical tests used;
Results, the main findings;
Conclusions, brief summary and potential implications. Please minimize the use of abbreviations and
do not cite references in the abstract.
Governance compliance statement. Where research involves patients or NHS staff, a statement of
compliance with research governance and ethical procedures (ethical ‘approval’) is required. Note: If
not included the abstract cannot be accepted for conference.
Conflict of interests. Either conflicts of interest should be declared or the following statement
included. “The authors declare no conflicts of interest in relation to this work”.
Case Study
Background, the context of the case and why you think it is important.
Case Presentation, presenting features, medical/social/family history
Investigations and results, if relevant
Treatment, if relevant
Conclusions, a summary of the key outcome for the patient and key learning points from the case.
Conflict of interests. Either conflicts of interest should be declared or the following statement
included. “The authors declare no conflicts of interest in relation to this work”.
General interest submissions
These submissions are not intended to constitute formal research but will still be best received by
delegates where there is some sort of structure for example: practice development, review of
practice (audit), and example of best practice, etc.
The requirements re title and authorship apply as per the other categories.
The following structure is provided for guidance although greater flexibility will be given to
submissions in this category.

Why we did it

What we did

What we found

What it means
The history of dermatological care
These submissions are not intended to constitute formal research but will still be best received by
delegates where there is some sort of interest or relevance to dermatology nursing today.
The requirements re title and authorship apply as per the other categories, otherwise free text not
exceeding the word limit.
The submission process
All abstracts will be submitted electronically. Closing date for applications is 25 March 2016.
Scientific committee assessment/review
All abstracts will be reviewed by the BDNG’s Research Support Sub Group (all independent
reviewers) who will make a recommendation for the acceptance or rejection as a poster and/or oral
presentation at conference.
Scientific Research abstracts will be required to meet minimum standards when graded, for
relevance to the conference, quality of work and originality. There will be a minimum quality
threshold for inclusion in the conference research sessions and for forwarding to Dermatological
Nursing for potential publication.
Case histories will be weighted towards novelty and relevance but should conform to the guidelines
for submission.
General interest submissions and History of Dermatology nursing will again be weighted towards
novelty and relevance and will be allowed more freedom in structure and presentation.
Good luck!
Any questions in relation to your abstracts should be sent to susan.maguire@bdng.org.uk