Call for Abstracts at The National 2022

Thank you for your interest in presenting your research relating to the care of the foot and ankle at the APMA 2022 Annual Scientific Meeting (The National). The meeting will be held July 28–31 at the Marriot Orlando World Center in Orlando. 

If you are interested in sharing your research with attendees at The National, visit https://submissions.mirasmart.com/APMA2022 and click on “Call for Abstracts” to review the rules and guidelines for submission. The online submission site for abstracts is open and all abstracts must be submitted online by February 25, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Grading Procedures

Abstracts will be read in a “blind” fashion. Authors' names and institutions of origin will not be identified.

Graders are podiatric physicians. Each abstract is reviewed and graded by at least three graders, and the final grade is determined by averaging the graders’ ratings.

Grades are influenced by: significance of the study; content and clarity; specific number of cases or specimen studies; clinical or research data to support the study’s conclusions; minimum follow-up of one year per patient for results describing surgical procedures; and new or modified techniques as they relate to diagnosis, surgery, complications, or other phases of podiatric medical and surgical problems.

Abstract Presentation

If an abstract is selected for oral presentation, the primary author identified on the submission form will receive an invitation to participate as a member of The National faculty and the abstract will be incorporated into the educational program at the event.

If an abstract is selected for poster presentation, the primary and corresponding author will be notified by email. The poster will be displayed for the entire meeting (three days). 

APMA does not provide travel reimbursement, honorarium, or per diem for poster abstract presenters. One complimentary registration will be provided to the author identified as the presenting author. More than one author is allowed to present a poster, however, only one complimentary meeting registration per abstract is offered.

Poster Design Guidelines

• The abstract should be as informative as possible, including a brief statement of the purpose of the study or why it was done, the methods used, the results observed, and conclusions based on the results.
• The poster exhibit should not be commercial in nature or promote any product overtly.
• Trade names may be used but should be used with discretion. 
• Clear identification that “this poster exhibit is sponsored by [company/sponsor]” should be noted.
• Poster set-up and removal:
  • All presenting authors must check in at the Speaker/Presenting Author Registration desk before poster set-up.
  • A four-foot tall by eight-foot wide (48” tall x 96” wide) tack board will be provided at the Marriott Orlando World Center. Posters should not be larger than the provided tack boards. Presenters are required to provide their own tacks/mounting materials.
  • Handouts of the poster are encouraged and may be placed on the tables in the poster abstract area of the exhibit hall.
  • Posters must be removed immediately after the Poster Abstracts Symposium on Saturday, July 30 at 2:00 p.m. APMA is not responsible for posters that are left after the conclusion of the meeting.

Abstract Competition

All non-industry-sponsored oral and poster abstracts presented at The National will be eligible for the APMA Abstract Competition. The top three accepted abstracts in each of the categories below will be selected by a panel of judges appointed by the Education Committee. The winners will be announced at the meeting. First-place winner will receive $500, second-place winner will receive $250, and third-place winner will receive $100. Please note that awards will be given to the primary author only.

The six categories of awards are as follows:

• Outstanding Oral Abstract Presentation
• Outstanding Single Case or Small Case Study/Series Poster Abstract
• Outstanding Large Case Study/Series Poster Abstract
• Outstanding Resident Poster Abstract
• Outstanding Student Poster Abstract
• Outstanding American Public Health Association (APHA) Foot and Ankle Health Section Student Poster Abstract*

*The Outstanding APHA Foot and Ankle Health Section Student Poster Abstract category recognizes one poster abstract on public health or disparities. The primary author on the public health abstract must be a podiatric medical student and that student must be a member of APHA Foot and Ankle Health Section as well as a member of APMA. Only one winner will be selected to receive $250 and the Arthur E. Helfand, DPM, award.

Award Criteria

The judges will consider the visual design and impact of the poster as well as the significance of the study, including its importance to the advancement of the practice of podiatric medicine. Other factors that the judges will evaluate include: the study’s content and clarity; specific number of cases or specimens studied; clinical or research data to support study conclusions; minimum follow-up of one year per patient for results describing surgical procedures; and new or modified techniques as they relate to diagnosis, surgery, complications, or other phases of podiatric medical and surgical problems.

The APMA Board of Trustees, abstract judges, chair of the Education Committee, or employees/independent contractors of APMA are ineligible to participate in the APMA Abstract Competition; with the caveat that residents supervised by the above-referenced parties may participate, but the above-referenced parties may not receive any monetary award.

Check out the winners from the 2021 Abstracts Competition.

Questions? Email Education and Seal Program Manager Allison J. Fisher.