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Conference Presentations

Abstracts accepted for the CPHA 2012 Annual Conference may be presented in the form of either an Oral or Poster Presentation. Submission of an abstract implies the submitter’s agreement to register for the conference, pay the appropriate conference registration fee, and make this presentation as scheduled.

Oral presentations
Oral presentations will focus on issues related to research, practice and policy. Each presentation will be 10 minutes followed by a 5-minute discussion period.

Posters
Each poster will be displayed Tuesday-Thursday. Presenters will be asked to be available at their posters at designated times during the conference to answer questions. Posters may include photographs, statistical tables, figures, charts or other graphic material relevant to the project. The abstract should address: purpose of the study, methods or approach, and findings.
 

Guidelines for Abstract Submission

Abstract Content

  • Research and policy-based abstracts should include: project objective; methods or approach; results and conclusions.
  • Practice-based abstracts should include: project objective, target groups, activities and deliverables.
  • Initiatives that bridge research, policy and/or practice perspectives are particularly encouraged.
  • We encourage you to use our templates for abstract submission.

Guidelines for Online Abstract Submission

Edmonton
  • Each individual may submit a maximum of two (2) abstracts as Presenting Author. As a supplementary author, a person can be included on a maximum of two (2) additional submissions.
  • All abstracts must be submitted electronically by completing the online submission form at register.cpha.ca/AbstractSubmission
  • Use short, specific titles and standard abbreviations.
  • Select the Conference Track that is addressed by your abstract.
  • Submitting authors certify that all co-authors agree to submit the abstract.
  • Submissions MUST NOT exceed 250 words (excluding title).
  • The abstract document MUST NOT contain authors’ names.
  • Abstracts may be submitted in either official language, and if accepted, must be presented in the language of submission.
  • The abstract document MUST BE in WORD.doc format. Any other file type CANNOT be accepted.
  • Deadline for abstract submission is Friday, December 2, 2011.
  • After you complete your submission, you will receive an e-mail that confirms your submission was successfully received.
  • Keep a copy of your abstract submission for your records.

Conflict of Interest

To ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor, you must disclose any conflict(s) of interest that may have a direct bearing on the subject matter of your presentation. This includes relationships with any company whose products or services are related to the subject matter of your presentation. This policy is not intended to prevent a presentation and the information you disclose will not influence the review of your abstract.
 

Example Abstract Submissions

  • Research and policy-based abstracts should include: project objectives, methods or approach, results and conclusions.
  • Practice-based abstracts should include: project objective, target groups, activities and deliverables.
  • Initiatives that bridge research, policy and/or practice perspectives are particularly encouraged.

EXAMPLE 1

From Modal Shift to Multi-modal Transportation: Complexity of Transportation Behaviours Associated with Implementation of the BIXI Public Bicycle Share Program in Montreal

Objective:
The purpose of this study was to examine and discuss self-report transportation behaviours of users of a newly implemented public bicycle share program in Montreal called BIXI (BIcycle-taXI) and to examine transportation consequences of the BIXI program.

Methods:
A population-based sample of adults participated in a telephone survey. The sampling plan involved random digit dialing for individuals residing on the Island of Montreal and 25% oversampling of telephone numbers where BIXI was available. Data was collected October 8th to December 12th 2009. The response rate was 34.6%. The sample included 2502 adults (Mean age=44.4 years, 58.5% female). Percentages of BIXI users and sustainable transportation modes were computed.

Results:
Results showed that 6.5% (n=163) of respondents had used BIXI at least once. Users predominantly shifted their primary mode of transportation to BIXI use from public transportation (42%). Nine percent shifted from motor vehicle use. Thirty three percent of BIXI users integrated public transportation into their trips. Non users of the BIXI program (n=2339) reported that the program had encouraged them to increase the number of trips they made by bicycle (3.6%).

Conclusions:
Results indicated that the effect of the BIXI intervention was complex. Users tend to shift from other sustainable modes of transportation. Only 9% shift away from motor vehicles. However, multi-modal trips may confound modal shift results. A potential positive consequence of the program is a small increase in cycling among non BIXI users. The BIXI intervention showed changes in sustainable transportation which may have cumulative population health benefits.

EXAMPLE 2

Using Electronic Feedback Reporting to Support Clinicians’ Ability to Understand and Improve Population Patient Care in Primary Health Care

Objective:
The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) collaborates with clinicians, researchers and jurisdictions to improve the use of electronic medical records (EMRs) for patient care, quality improvement and practice management. CIHI’s Quality Management Improvement Compass (QMIC) enables clinicians to generate dynamic reports and evidence out of their EMRs to evaluate effectiveness, access, and outcomes of care for their patient population.

Target Groups:
Primary health care (PHC) clinicians, researchers, policy makers, research funders and program decision-makers.

Activities:
In response to the information needs of clinicians and in consultation with an interdisciplinary team of experts and future users of the tool, CIHI designed the QMIC tool. As a result, five quality improvement dimensions of care were identified: effectiveness, access, service utilization, care coordination and efficiency. The QMIC comparative reports provide aggregate and patient level information on clinical measures such as modifiable risk factors, medication use, blood pressure and diagnostic lab results.

Deliverables:

  • An interactive, electronic quality improvement tool used to inform and improve population patient care in primary health care.
  • A qualitative evaluation of the effectiveness of this electronic tool based on user’s perceptions of the benefits to patient care and clinical practice.
  • Lessons learned that will inform other quality initiatives aimed at transforming practice to evidence to practice.

EXAMPLE 3

Improving Global Health Aid Effectiveness Through an Understanding of Informal and Formal Assistance Experiences of Bangladeshi Ultrapoor Female Heads of Household

Objective:
To examine the experience of formal and informal assistance related to health needs of ultrapoor Bangladesh female heads of household in order to better understand why formal government and non-governmental health improvement efforts in Bangladesh frequently fail to reach those living in extreme poverty.

Methods:
We conducted individual ethnographic interviews with 43 ultrapoor Bangladeshi female heads of household and inquired about suggestions for helping women like them. Their answers related to health needs were analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis.

Results:
Although the women often asserted, ‘no one helps us,’ we documented various forms of assistance from family, children, neighbours, and landlords at times of health need. Family assistance depended strongly on having good relations with healthy relatives residing in close proximity who had resources to spare. Many women expressed that government healthcare facilities offered only limited assistance; none of the women reported outreach provided by non-governmental health services.

Discussion:
The poor in Bangladesh are typically viewed by the non-poor as either ochol (not going anywhere) or shochol (capable of mobility). Ochol households, which would include ultrapoor female-led households, are unlikely to receive assistance even from programs targeting the poorest of the poor because of the emphasis that government, NGOs, elites, and aid donors place on productivity and potential.

Conclusions:
While the aid industry may not be aware of how ochol/shochol thinking might affect programming, reflection on whether or not such judgements are incorporated into health assistance programs may lead to a reconsideration of aid targeting and aid deservedness.
 

Selection Criteria & Review Process

Abstracts will be peer reviewed according to:

  • Relevance to overall conference theme, objectives and conference tracks;
  • Potential for advancement of advancement of population and public health research, policy and/or practice;
  • Clarity, originality and quality of content.

All abstracts will be reviewed against seven criteria. CPHA reserves the right to revise the criteria as necessary.

Each criterion is assigned a score using a scale of 1 to 6. All criteria are weighted equally.

  1. The objectives are clearly described and appropriate.
  2. The methods/target groups are clearly described and appropriate.
  3. The results/activities are clearly described and appropriate.
  4. The conclusions/deliverables are relevant and appropriate for the advancement of population and public health research, policy and/or practice.
  5. The relevance to the specified conference track and overall conference theme “Public Health in Canada: Creating and Sustaining Healthy Environments.”
  6. The abstract is relevant to public health practice in Canada.
  7. The abstract represents original research or a novel concept.

The Scientific Review Committee reserves the right to determine if there is sufficient balance across conference tracks to ensure that all conference objectives are met. The Committee also reserves the right to accept only one (1) abstract per presenter.
 

Abstract Acceptance

  • Final decisions regarding acceptance of abstracts and presentation format will be made by the Scientific Subcommittee.
  • Submitters will be notified of abstract selection by January 26, 2012. All communication will be with the presenting author as indicated on the submission.
  • Successful presenters must confirm their intent to participate by registering and submitting the appropriate program registration fee by April 9, 2012 in order to be included in the conference program.
  • Due to time constraints in the scientific program, only one (1) author will be permitted to present the accepted submission. All correspondence will be forwarded to the presenting author only.
     

Presentation Guidelines

  • An LCD data projector, microphone, computer (PC), screen and an audio-video connection are included as part of the standard audio visual package in each session room. Additional equipment will be at the presenter’s expense.
  • PowerPoint presentations for oral presentations must be submitted electronically to the CPHA-assigned Presentation Management Provider in advance of the conference. Additional information about this process will be provided to successful presenters.
  • Accepted abstract submissions will be posted on the CPHA conference website. Consent by the presenting author, on behalf of all authors, is assumed to post the abstract and PowerPoint presentation.
     

Population and Public Health Student Awards and the Dr. John Hastings CPHA Student Award

The purpose of these awards is to recognize excellence in the next generation of population and public health researchers, policy-makers and practitioners. There are three categories:

  • Dr. John Hastings CPHA Student Award
  • Population & Public Health Student Awards – Masters Level
  • Population & Public Health Student Awards – PhD Level

The Dr. John Hastings CPHA Student Award will be presented to one successful PhD student for the best abstract as determined by the CPHA Scientific Review Committee. Travel, accommodation and registration fees will be covered by CPHA up to a maximum of $1500. The successful applicant will also receive a 1-year CPHA membership and a $1000 bursary.

Population and public health research involves research with a goal to improve the health of populations in Canada and globally, achieved through a better understanding of: the interactions between social, cultural, economic, environmental and occupational factors that determine human health and development; and the population- and community-level policy and program interventions that improve the health of populations.

The Population & Public Health Student Awards (Masters/PhD) will provide up to four awards (two at the Masters level and two at the PhD level) to the successful student applicant(s). The value of each award will be $300 (for Masters level students) and $500 (for PhD level students). Through this award, travel, accommodation and registration fees incurred by successful applicants who attend the CPHA Conference will be covered, up to a maximum of $1500.

Student Travel Bursaries

The CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health is pleased to sponsor a limited number of travel bursaries for full-time students whose abstracts have been reviewed and accepted for inclusion in the program. The conference currently provides a discounted registration rate to full-time students.

Travel bursaries will be supported through the IPPH Institute Community Support (ICS) Program.

Indicate on your online abstract submission if you wish to be considered for a student travel bursary. Winners of the 2012 Dr. John Hastings CPHA Student Award and Population & Public Health Student Awards are not eligible for the Student Travel Bursary.

Application Guidelines

  1. Submit your abstract online
  2. Send the following additional information to the address below:
    • Letter of support from your academic supervisor that includes confirmation of your current program of study and academic institution.
    • Submit your application using the ICS Application Form (PDF: 50 kb).
  3. Students who wish to apply for the Student Travel Bursaries must also include:
    • Budget for travel expenses up to a maximum of $1500. If applicable, include other confirmed sources of financial support to attend the conference; and
    • Brief statement about need for financial support (100 words or less).

Selection Criteria

  • Applicant must be enrolled in a recognized Masters or PhD program in a Canadian academic institution in a discipline related to population and public health. Disciplines and fields include but are not limited to: sociology, epidemiology, nursing, nutrition, health promotion, community medicine, economics, political sciences, environmental health.
  • For all Student Travel Bursary applicants, consideration will also be given to geographic distribution and the applicant’s ability to demonstrate need for financial support.

Applications can be submitted by mail, fax or e-mail to:
2012 PPH/Dr. John Hastings Student Award and Travel Bursary Program
c/o Kim Gaudreau
CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health
160 Elgin Street, 9th Floor, Address Locator 4809A
Ottawa ON  K1A 0W9
Telephone: (613) 957-6128
Fax: (613) 954-1800
E-mail: ipphfunding@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

The deadline for applications was Friday, December 9, 2011.