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    2024 WGEA Call for Abstracts Now Open!

    Riverside Convention Center May 4-7, 2024

    The WGEA invites abstracts for oral abstracts, posters, workshops, panel and small group discussions for the 2024 annual conference in Riverside, California. Proposals may represent completed original research or innovations in medical education. Abstracts can focus on any level of medical education (UME preclerkship or clerkship, GME, CPD, or across the continuum). All abstracts should be submitted no later than November 15 , 2023 11:59pm HT.

    The 2024 WGEA conference theme is: Developing Resilience While Adapting to Change

    Subthemes

    • Innovation and Creativity
    • Navigating Political and Organizational Changes 
    • Creating Resilience in Students, Faculty and Staff
    • Teaching and Learning in Times of Change
    • Constructing the Future of Medical Education

    General Instructions

    1. All submissions must be submitted online no later than November 15th, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. HT.
    2. All proposals must be submitted online.
    3. Each individual is limited to three (3) total submissions of any combination as co-author on a small group discussion, co-author on a workshop, co-author on a panel, or first author (presenter) on an oral abstract. There is no limit for the number of poster submissions as first or co-author.
    4. Each submission will be reviewed by at least three peers.
    5. Notification of the outcome of the review will be sent to the contact author in January 2024.
    6. Presentation is contingent upon the presenting member (usually the first author) registering for the Western Collaborative Spring Conference. Presenter(s) of accepted proposals must be registered for the conference one month prior to the conference. Presenters who do not meet this requirement are subject to cancellation of their presentation.
    7. Students, residents and fellows are strongly encouraged to submit their work.

    We recommend that you prepare your proposal in a word processing application and then paste each component into the corresponding online section. An abstract submission is considered a commitment to attend the meeting and present if accepted, and an acknowledgment of the costs associated with travel and the meeting registration. Abstract decisions will be sent to the contact author in late January 2024. All abstracts will undergo a peer-review process by at least three reviewers. Students, residents, fellows and new investigators are strongly encouraged to submit their work.

    For more information, please contact:
    WGEA Planning Committee Chair: Pablo Joo, MD (
    Pablo.Joo@medsch.ucr.edu)   

    WGEA Planning Committee Administrative Staff: Laura Cantrell (Laura.Cantrell@medsch.ucr.edu)

     

    Session Types

    Research in Medical Education Abstract Proposal

    Purpose: Includes works to promote dissemination and discussion of completed research and its application to medical education.

    Time/Format: Submissions will be peer reviewed and selected for either poster or oral presentation. Presenting authors should be familiar enough with the project to discuss relevant literature, present findings and answer questions. Oral presentation is a short overview of the research [15 min (10 min presentation, 5 minutes questions)]. Poster presenters are expected to be available to discuss their research with session attendees.

    Proposals are limited to 300 words and must include:

    • Research Statement/Research Question
    • Background and relevance of the study
    • Design and Methods
    • Results
    • Conclusions

    Required but not included in 300-word count:

    • Title
    • Author(s) and affiliated institutions
    • References

    Proposals will be reviewed using the following criteria:

    • Clarity of research statement/question
    • Strength of background and relevance of the study
    • Strength of research design and methods
    • Relevance of results
    • Soundness of conclusions
    • Clarity of writing

    Innovations in Medical Education

    Purpose: Includes works to promote dissemination and discussion of educational innovations (e.g., curricular development projects, program descriptions, new applications or methods, continuous quality improvement projects, etc.)

    Time/Format: Submissions will be peer reviewed and selected for either poster or oral presentation. Presenting authors should be familiar enough with the project to discuss relevant literature, present findings and answer questions. Oral presentation is a short overview of the innovation [15 min (10 min presentation, 5 minutes questions)]. Poster presenters are expected to be available to discuss their innovation with session attendees.

    Proposals are limited to 300 words and must include the following components:

    • Objective or purpose of innovation
    • Background and/or theoretical framework and importance to the field
    • Design: Instructional methods and materials used
    • Outcomes
    • Innovation’s strengths and limitations
    • Feasibility and generalizability

    Required but not included in 300-word count:

    • Title
    • Author(s) and affiliated institutions
    • References

    Proposals will be reviewed using the following criteria:

    • Clarity of objective or purpose
    • Clarity of learning objectives
    • Strength of background and/or theoretical framework and importance to the field
    • Strength of evaluation design (methods and materials)
    • Relevance of outcomes
    • Awareness of limitations (reflective critique)
    • Clarity of writing

    Workshops

    Purpose: Workshops are skill-oriented, interactive experience for learners which will allow them to take home specific knowledge and skills.

     Time/Format: 60 minutes for the workshop by 1 or more presenters.  It is expected that the workshop activities will include hands-on practice and/or active learning for a good portion of the workshop time. 

    Proposals are limited to 500-word abstracts and must include the following components:

    • Rationale: Why the topic is important, its timeliness, and its relevance to medical education
    • Learning Objectives: What participates will know or be able to do as a result of this session
    • Session Methods and Format: Indicate amount of time to be allocated to each speaker or element of the program. Describe the format of the session and the methods that will be used to engage participants.
    • Experience: In one sentence per speaker, describe the experience of the speaker(s).

    Required but not included in 500-word count:

    • Title
    • Author(s) and affiliated institutions

    Proposals will be reviewed using the following criteria:

    • Importance, timeliness, and relevance of topic
    • Clarity of learning objectives
    • Clarity and appropriateness of session format and method (reader knows who is doing what)
    • Appropriate format and methods to engage participants in session
    • Interest potential
    • Clarity of writing

    Small Group Discussions

    Purpose: Small group discussion topics may address administrative issues, curriculum, evaluation, assessment, or professional development. Presentations demonstrating collaborative work from multiple departments or institutions are especially encouraged.

     Time/Format: 60-minute sessions which include a brief (10 minute) focused presentation by 1 or more presenters followed by exchange between the presenters and the audience. Ample time for questions and comments from the audience, and responses by the presenters should be included.

    Proposals are limited to 500-word abstracts and must include the following components:

    • Rationale: Why the topic is important, its timeliness, and its relevance to medical education
    • Learning Objectives: What participates will know or be able to do as a result of this session
    • Session Methods and Format: Indicate amount of time to be allocated to each speaker or element of the program. Describe the format of the session and the methods that will be used to engage participants.
    • Experience: In one sentence per speaker, describe the experience of the speaker(s).

    Required but not included in 500-word count:

    • Title
    • Author(s) and affiliated institutions

    Proposals will be reviewed using the following criteria:

    • Importance, timeliness, and relevance of topic
    • Clarity of learning objectives
    • Clarity and appropriateness of session format and method (reader knows who is doing what)
    • Appropriate format and methods to engage participants in session
    • Interest potential
    • Clarity of writing

    Panel Discussions

    Purpose: Panel discussions examine diverse perspectives and approaches to educational subjects or issues. Presentations demonstrating collaborative work from multiple departments or institutions are especially encouraged.

    Time Format: 60-minute sessions which include presentations by 2 or more panelists and a moderator followed by responses from the audience, and exchange between participants.

    Proposals are limited to 500 word abstracts and must include the following components:

    • Rationale: Why the topic is important, its timeliness, and its relevance to medical education
    • Learning Objectives: What participants will know or be able to do as a result of this session
    • Session Methods and Format: The amount of time allocated to each speaker or element of the program. Describe the format of the session and the methods that will be used to engage participants.
    • Experience: In one sentence per speaker, describe the experience of the speaker(s).

    Required but not included in 500-word count:

    • Title
    • Author(s) and affiliated institutions

    Proposals will be reviewed using the following criteria:

    • Importance, timeliness, and relevance of topic
    • Clarity of learning objectives
    • Clarity and appropriateness of session format and method (reader knows who is doing what)
    • Appropriate format and methods to engage participants in session
    • Interest potential
    • Clarity of writing

    Note about Ratings for all abstract types

    Rating Scale for each criterion

    1=Poor

    2=Below Average

    3=Average

    4=Above Average

    5=Excellent

    Overall Decision:

    Accept (this is an excellent proposal, strongly support it being in the program)

    Accept with Reservations; Please explain: (this proposal has strong qualities but is missing some important elements, would include in program only if space permits)

    Reject; Please explain: (this proposal lacks many important elements, do not support it being on the program)

    Additional information

    • System will collect submitter’s contact information, presentation title, content domain, intended audience, and abstract type