Call for Abstracts - CLOSED

Occupational Therapy Australia is pleased to invite you to participate in the 2020 Virtual OT Mental Health Forum on Monday 16th November. The forum is an invaluable event for occupational therapists working across every area of mental health practice in Australia. The forum provides the opportunity for us to come together and exchange ideas, to share practices and challenges, to network and meet new colleagues and to learn from an exciting array of current OT mental health practice and research activity.

The committee are now calling for abstract submissions in accordance with the instructions below.

KEY DATES

Call for abstract submissions open
21 February 2020
Abstract mentoring program closes
21 May 2020                           
Call for abstract submissions close *Extended*
8 June 2020                                           
Notification to authors of abstract acceptance
16 July 2020
Author accept invitation to present
30 July 2020
Program released
13 August 2020                                    

PRESENTATION TYPES

Authors will be required to indicate their preferred presentation type from the following options when submitting an abstract.

Oral Presentation

Oral Presentations will be 15 minutes in length, comprising of 12 minutes for presentation and 3 minutes for questions. Abstracts not selected for Oral Presentation will be considered for a Poster Display. Presentation time will be detailed within acceptance notifications sent to nominated presenting authors.

Poster Display

Poster Displays provide a static visual display and will be on display for the duration of the Conference. Full details of the format and display of Posters will be detailed within acceptance notifications sent to nominated presenting authors.

Occupation Stations

Occupation Stations will be 30 minutes in length and will engage participants in doing an occupation / activity and the presentation will focus on the therapeutic use of this occupation / activity in practice and the theory supporting its use.

METHOD TYPE

Papers are able to be submitted under one of the following method types:

Quantitative Research

The Quantitative Research category generally involves reporting of numbers or data collected using recognised scientific methodology specific to the research questions. Examples include; clinical trials, single case experimental design studies, validity or reliability testing, biomechanical studies, surveys, epidemiological studies

Qualitative Research

The Qualitative Research category relates to the development of theories or interpretations of human behaviour or experience. Recognised qualitative methodologies are used (e.g. phenomenology, ethnography, grounded theory) using data collection methods such as in-depth interviews, participant observation, focus groups etc.

Systematic Review

A systematic review is an appraisal and synthesis of primary research papers using a rigorous and clearly documented methodology in both the search strategy and the selection of studies. 

Literature Review

Literature or Narrative reviews provide a summary, classification, comparison and evaluation of current literature.   Authors who are accepted to present Review Papers as an “Oral presentation” will be required to focus their presentation on implications for practice rather than on a detailed description of the method.

Mixed Method Research

Mixed methods research uses multiple ways to explore a research problem. The design can be based on either or multiple perspectives, with data collection involving any technique available to researchers including but not restricted to qualitative research, quantitative research, indigenous knowledges and empirical research. Mixed methods can be used to explain and interpret, explore a phenomenon, to serve a theoretical perspective to address a question at different levels and to address or service a theoretical purpose. Papers should explain and justify their use of mixed methodologies. 

Practice Note

Abstracts in the Practice Note category will address timely issues in practice settings, practice guidelines or emerging interventions areas, or will express practice opinion that is supported by theory and evidence from the literature. Examples include descriptions of practice innovations, advocacy efforts, new technologies or products, introductions to new interventions, description o empirically and/or theoretically derived programs, or scholarly opinion or forums on topic requiring discussion in the practice setting. Practice Notes may or may not include case studies.

Other

The other category includes topic where no formal research methodology was used. For example: A report of an event or professional trip (e.g. to an overseas country), policy development, a position statement, etc.

THEMES

  • Adult mental health
  • Older adult mental health
  • Communities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
  • Forensic and correctional contexts
  • Perinatal, infant, child and adolescent mental health and well-being
  • New and emerging practice areas
  • Policy and consumer advocacy
  • Recovery-oriented practice
  • Technology-enabled and enhanced interventions
  • Working with communities or population-based approaches
  • Working with people seeking refuge and asylum
  • Trauma informed care/working with people and communities who have experienced health and natural disasters
  • Vocation and employment

ABSTRACT STRUCTURE

Authors will be required to prepare and upload their abstract as per the below structure:

Enter abstract title (maximum of 25 words)

The title should be as brief as possible but long enough to indicate clearly the nature of the abstract. Only capitalise the first letter of the title and any proper nouns. Do not abbreviate ‘occupational therapy’ or ‘occupational therapist’, and do not use any abbreviations or acronyms. The title will be used for printing in the final program.

Abstract (maximum of 250 words)

A ‘structured’ abstract should be prepared. The term ‘structured’ means that an abstract follows a pre-determined structure, and includes certain sub-headings and content.

You must use the following headings:

  • Introduction/Rationale
  • Objectives
  • Method /Approach
  • Results /Practice Implications
  • Conclusion

Abstracts being submitted as an occupation station presentation type can use the following headings:

  • Introduction
  • Learning objectives
  • Educational methods
  • Relevance to occupation therapy knowledge and practice

Abstract requirements:

  • References are not required. If you wish to include them, they must be included in the body of your text and included in the 250-word count
  • Special symbols and formatting are to be used sparingly. Once your submission is complete, please read your abstract in full to ensure the symbols are displayed correctly, and if not, please click on the “Special Character” icon on the screen to see the list of available characters to insert.
  • Do not use tables or figures
  • Proposed studies/presentations should be significantly advanced or completed at the time of abstract submission. The abstract should make clear the status of the research – completed research will present full results (including statistics or themes)
  • Do not include authors names, institution or other identifiers in your abstract text as all abstracts will be blind reviewed.
  • Any abstracts exceeding the word limit and not using the above format will not be accepted.

ABSTRACT EXAMPLES

To view example abstracts please click below:

Example Abstract 1

Example Abstract 2

Example Abstract 3

Example Abstract 4

CALL FOR ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS

Abstract submission is two-step process.

Step 1: Creating an account and logging into the Call for Abstracts Portal

Click on the button below to access the Call for Abstracts Portal.  To access the portal, we ask you to please set up an account to assist in the management of your abstracts/s for the Forum.  Select the Contact Information tab in the top menu and enter your contact details

After entering your contact information, additional tabs will appear in your menu bar.

Step 2: Select the Abstract Submission tab

Follow the instructions and submit your abstract of up to 250 words

You will be required to provide the following details prior to submitting your abstract:

  • Enter the abstract title
  • Select your preferred presentation type
  • Select method type
  • Select theme/s
  • Author names and affiliations
  • Presenting author biography
  • Abstract content

CONFIRMING YOUR SUBMISSION

Once your abstract is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email.  If you do not receive this email, your abstract has not been submitted.  The abstract will be found under the "Your submissions" tab and you will need to complete the missing information and submit it.

Should you require any assistance during the submission process, please contact
Jenny Lanigan conferenceadmin@otaus.com.au or phone 1300 682 878

NOTIFICATION

Abstract review notification and allocation to the program will be communicated to the corresponding author on Thursday 16 July 2020.

Please note the details provided as the author contact should be for the nominated main contact for your abstract. All correspondence relating to the submission will be directed to this person and they should in turn distribute to all co-presenters.

FURTHER ENQUIRIES

For any enquiries regarding abstract submission please contact:

Jenny Lanigan
Conference Events Manager

Occupational Therapy Australia
5/340 Gore Street
Fitzroy VIC 3065
P: 1300 682 878
Email: conferenceadmin@otaus.com.au