IM Riverside

As some of you may know, the American College of Physicians (ACP) hosts a annual abstract competition, in which medical students, residents/fellows, and early career physicians can participate. Colloquially, many residents and attendings will call the conference simply “ACP.”

So How Does ACP Work?

Traditionally (pre-COVID), competitions have been held in the early Fall, with residents submission of a abstract and subsequent poster. Those who are selected to present will then attend the conference hosted by a local chapter, and those who are then selected will go on to a National Competition.

How are the conference held during the pandemic?

For the past year, the conference has been held virtually, which translate to online submission of the abstract and a poster submission that is created on a powerpoint slide. A voice-over of the poster (as if you’re presenting to a audience) is also submitted to the organization/local chapter. Once your submission is selected, a invitation will be sent out, including a virtual meeting link.

At this time, at least in our Southern California chapter, we are hoping to have a combined virtual and in-person aspect, but depending on the COVID numbers/cases, the conference may yet again be all-virtual.

If I don’t have a project, can I still participate in the conference?

Of course! There is also a Jeopardy competition called “Doctor’s Dilemma.” If you are very good at answering questions on the spot or have a encyclopedia collection of knowledge, your teammates would love for you to join this contest between residencies! Again winners have the chance to compete nationally!

The other answer to this question, is that for those who are interested and are just starting residency (PGY1) for instance, please reach out to your attendings and your seniors who can direct you. Many of them have cases that they have been collecting so you never know! And always work with your attendings, seniors, and chief residents who have experience and can make your life easier.

Any rules? What kind of projects can I submit?

*Information adapted from the ACP website

• Basic Research: Lab research
• Clinical Research: Patient-oriented research
• Quality Improvement-Patient Safety: Projects to improve pt safety/resident safety, usually in the hospital/GME setting
• High Value Care: projects that identify processes that can improve to reduce waste (unnecessary testing etc)
• Clinical Vignette: case report of a pt with a unusual presentation or complicated treatment/management plan

**More frequently asked questions answered by ACP

HCA-Specific Program Rule:

Any project that you want to get clearance for submission must have a consent obtained from the patient.

It will be in your best interest to speak with your research coordinator to learn more about any program-specific rules.

Why Should I participate in ACP?

Besides showing willingness and interest in research and clinical processes, participating in poster competition like one held by ACP boosts your clinical understanding and, if nothing else, your resume. After all, one of your goals as residents is to build your clinical knowledge base and to explore/develop your clinical experiences.

In our program, we have a research requirement like many other programs, but we want each of our PGY1 to be a first author (present) at ACP. Of course, our residents have other opportunities to participate in poster competitions, even though our HCA system like the Far West Symposium etc.

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We will be speaking about what constitutes a abstract and what (design/content) element should go into a poster in our next post.