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Preparing a strong abstract is the first—and often decisive—step toward presenting your work at conferences, securing publication, or gaining recognition for clinical innovation. For members of IMEACPO, the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists’ (BAPO) "Guide to Preparing Abstracts" is a timely, practical resource designed to improve clarity, increase acceptance rates, and elevate the visibility of prosthetics and orthotics research across the region.
Why abstracts matter
An abstract must do much with very little: summarize your rationale, methods, results and implications in a way that convinces reviewers and readers your work is worth their attention. Review panels typically screen large volumes of submissions under tight time constraints, so a concise, well-structured abstract can be the difference between acceptance and rejection. For clinicians balancing patient care with research, an efficient blueprint for writing is invaluable.
What the guide offers
BAPO’s guide provides actionable, evidence‑based advice for every stage of abstract preparation. It breaks down the abstract into core components—title, background, aims, methods, results and conclusions—and explains how to prioritise content so that the most important information stands out. Practical checklists, annotated examples and common pitfalls help writers avoid frequent mistakes, such as unclear objectives, underreported methods, or overstated conclusions.
Key practical takeaways
- Focus on a clear question: The guide stresses that every strong abstract starts with a specific, answerable question or objective that guides the reader through the study.
- Report what matters: Include essential methodological details and the most relevant results; reviewers value completeness balanced with brevity.
- Align conclusions with data: Avoid speculative statements that aren’t supported by your findings; the guide shows how to frame implications realistically.
- Mind the format: Many rejections arise from failing to follow submission criteria—word limits, structure and formatting. BAPO’s checklist makes compliance simple.
- Use plain, professional language: Clear wording reduces misinterpretation and highlights the clinical relevance for busy reviewers.
A resource for diverse members
Whether you are a student preparing your first abstract, a clinician sharing a case series, or a researcher submitting to an international symposium, the guide is written to meet a broad audience. For prosthetists and orthotists, where clinical case descriptions, device evaluations and small cohort studies are common, the guide helps frame clinical impact and methodological rigour effectively.
Why IMEACPO members should use it
IMEACPO members operate in a dynamic region where clinical innovation and context-specific research are growing. Well-crafted abstracts help amplify regional work—bringing attention to practical solutions, novel devices, and culturally appropriate clinical approaches. Using the guide not only increases the likelihood of acceptance at conferences but also boosts the clarity and reproducibility of work submitted to journals.
Beyond acceptance: building confidence and collaboration A structured approach to abstracts builds research confidence and encourages peer review and collaboration. IMEACPO chapters and study groups can use the guide as the basis for writing workshops, peer-review sessions, and mentorship programmes. By standardising expectations and sharing feedback, members can refine drafts before submission and improve the quality of region-wide scholarship.
IMEACPO encourages all members to download and use the BAPO "Guide to Preparing Abstracts" as a practical reference before preparing submissions. The guide is available as a FREE PDF here: https://www.bapo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Guide-to-preparing-abstracts-FINAL.pdf
