Abstracts may be submitted in one of two categories for the statewide poster competition: Clinical Vignettes or Clinical Research. Separate competitions will be conducted for ACP Associate Members and for ACP Medical Student Members. Limit of one entry per first author. 

Clinical Vignette Competition Definition:
A clinical vignette report describes one or more cases that illustrate a new disease entity, or a prominent or unusual clinical feature of an established disease. It may include a summary of pertinent patient history, physical findings, laboratory data, and/or management.

Clinical Research Competition Definition:
Submissions can report clinical and/or laboratory-based research, delineate a new investigation into mechanisms of disease, or provide a comprehensive review of a clinical problem. Abstracts addressing efficiency, cost or method of health care delivery, quality of care, and medical decision-making are also encouraged.

Abstract Submission Instructions

Abstract Eligibility:
Original abstracts will be considered regardless of whether they have been presented at other meetings. Presentation of original work at the chapter meeting may, however, jeopardize presentation before another society. Abstracts based upon full papers that have previously been published are not eligible. Limit of one entry per first author.

Residents who won First Place in poster competitions, or Second or Third Place in podium clinical case report competitions, at one of the five 2008 regional ACP Associates' meetings are encouraged to submit abstracts for the state competition via the online form, with the understanding that their abstracts will automatically be accepted without further review by the judges.

Author Eligibility:
The first author of an abstract must be an ACP Associate Member in good standing, and must be actively enrolled in a Texas residency program. Co-authors need not be ACP members. To sign up for membership, visit www.acponline.org. Submitters are encouraged to write abstracts in a format similar to that used in scientific papers so that they may be cited in curriculum vitae or submitted as evidence of scholarly activity when preparing to advance to Fellowship in the American College of Physicians.

Abstract Review:
All abstracts are required to have been reviewed and approved by a residency program director or faculty advisor prior to submission. Research abstracts must also have been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board at the submitter's medical institution.

Format:

1. Abstracts must be submitted electronically using the electronic form at www.taim.org.
2. Abstracts must be single-spaced using a 12-point font.
3. Abstracts should be no longer than 350 words.
4. Title, typed in all caps, should be brief and clearly state content of paper.
5. List name and one degree only (e.g., MD, DO) for each author. Indicate their status within ACP (Associate, Member, or Fellow), if applicable. Academic title of positions should not be included.
6. List names of authors' institution(s), city, and state. Note: The format used in the Annals of Internal Medicine is encouraged.

The body of the abstract should be organized as follows:

1. Purpose of study (one sentence if possible).
2. Simple statement of methods.
3. Summary of results (adequate to support conclusions).
4. Statement of conclusions (Do not use phrases such as "The results will be discussed.")
5. This format may be modified, as appropriate, for Clinical Vignette Report submissions, or for Clinical Research submissions diverging from the standard research methods.

Style:
Write for clarity and directness. Avoid the use of medical jargon or stock phrases. Keep in mind that grammar will be taken into consideration. Proofread abstracts carefully.

Abbreviations, Symbols, and Nomenclature:
Usage should conform as closely as possible to that recommended in the current issue of the Scientific Style and Format manual published by the Council of Science Editors (link). Nonstandard abbreviations must be kept to a minimum and must be explained when used. Generic names of drugs are preferred. A proprietary name may be given only with the first use of the generic name.

Submission Deadline: Abstracts must be submitted by Friday, August 7th.  Abstracts submitted after midnight on Aug. 7th will automatically be rejected.

Acceptance Notification:
The announcement of abstracts accepted for poster presentations will be posted on the Chapter's web site no later than 5:00 pm on Friday, October 2nd. Associates submitting an abstract should check the posted announcement for the status of their submission.

Awards:
Poster presenters will receive a $150 travel stipend to attend the meeting. First and second place ribbons will be awarded in each of the two categories for both Medical Students and Associates.