World Physiotherapy Africa Region Conference System

Abstracts Submission Guidelines

Each submission must be made electronically via the World Physiotherapy Africa Region website. The submitting author must be the presenting author. Correspondence will be with the presenting author. The presenting author does not have to be the first named author listed on the abstract. The on-line submission form will provide restricted space for data entry to limit the word count. To assist you in preparing your submission an indication of the maximum word count for each section is provided

Submissions should include the following: 
(a) Title of abstract [maximum 20 words]

(b) Names and titles of presenter and co-authors

(c) Contact details of authors to include: 
i. Full name, organisation/institution, city and country for all authors, as you would wish it to appear in the completed programme
ii. E-mail, telephone number ,and mailing address for presenting author

(d) Fit with Congress programme track(s) and topic areas

(e) The completed abstract [maximum 500 words covering the headings below]. Abstracts will be included in the Congress proceedings and must be structured using the following headings:

(f) Brief biography of presenting author (for Platform Presentations and those interested in taking part in a Poster Discussion session only) [200 words]

(g) Professional Resource Material, including computer based programs, materials and audio visual resource presentations, should be submitted in the special interest category. Professional Resource Material will be presented as special interest posters or platform presentations. Interested authors may also wish to book a display area (booth) to display their professional resource material.

(h) Computer based programs: Demonstrations of computer software including multimedia designed and used by the presenter(s) for any of the following purposes are welcomed:
• Research data analysis
• Records
• Management (e.g. billing, scheduling and generating reports)
• Controlling therapeutic equipment (e.g. virtual reality)
• Instructing patients, students or staff for educational testing

Programs must be original designs, not simply modifications of programs developed by others. The presenter must have been a significant contributor in the development of the program. For Platform presentations presenters will be  expected to bring a laptop computer with the software loaded and this will be connected to a projector for display on a large screen. Screen shots should be used in Poster displays

(i) Materials: Presenters wishing to discuss equipment, devices and graphic or printed matter should integrate images / photographs / diagrams of these into a PowerPoint presentation for Platform presentation or a Poster display. The following types of materials may be presented:
• Small pieces of equipment, such as therapeutic equipment, supportive and adapted devices and clinical measurement instruments.
• Models, graphic material and booklets, used for students or patients.
• Special forms, for recording patient information or management data

(j) Audio Visual Resource Presentations: Audio Visual programmes must have been designed and produced by the presenter. A variety of possible formats include video tapes, motion pictures, synchronised slides, sound programmes and sets of slides or transparencies with accompanying instructions for their use. It is expected that the presenters should be able to integrate these into a PowerPoint presentation or use Windows media files for a Platform presentation or use screen shots in a Poster Display. The author(s) of the abstract must have been a significant contributor to the development of the presentation material. Both instructional material, for teaching patients, carers, students or clinical staff, and public relations material, for promoting public awareness and understanding of physical therapy are welcomed.

(k) It is expected that any resources or materials will have been designed/developed by the author(s) and MUST NOT currently be for sale commercially by the author(s) or another vendor.

(l) For poster presentation, indicate your interest in participating in a poster discussion session.

(m) Select your preferred category and format of presentation (research report, special interest report, and platform or poster presentation). Also provide indication if an alternative category of presentation if offered would be acceptable e.g. if the submission is intended for a research report would a special interest report presentation be acceptable?

(n) Information concerning any presentations or publications of the work made prior to Congress [maximum 50 words]

General information
1. All abstracts must be submitted in English.
2. A written abstract must be submitted for each proposed presentation.
3. It is the author’s responsibility to submit a correct abstract. Any errors in spelling, grammar or scientific fact will be reproduced as typed by the author.
4. All presentations must describe original work to which all the authors listed have made a significant contribution.
5. Notification of outcome will be sent to the submitter. Please note that only the person who submits the abstract online will receive email concerning the abstract and is responsible for informing all authors of the status of the abstract.
6. All proposals and presentations must adhere to the use of “people-first” language. A person must not be referred to by disability or condition, and terms that could be considered biasing or discriminatory in any way should be removed (eg “person with a stroke” instead of “stroke patients”).
7. Any source of funding or support for the work being presented should be acknowledged.
8. Please, note that when you submit your abstract(s), you can register as reviewer. If you are interested to act as abstract reviewer, you may complete a short survey regarding your experience in scientific material reviewing.

Good luck!!!

Adapted from WCPT (2006) WCPT Congress 2007, and WCPT Congress 2017, Call for Abstracts
World Confederation for Physical Therapy.
With permission from WCPT