Call for Abstracts
VPTA 2007 Annual Conference

The VPTA Research Committee is currently accepting abstracts for
consideration for poster and platform presentations at the 2007
Annual Conference, October 19-21, 2007 in Roanoke, Virginia.

Poster Presentation Categories (taken from the APTA call for
abstracts)
„« Research Report
„X Presents original scientific data collected by the author(s);
any established research format, both experimental and
nonexperimental designs, may be used (e.g. clinical trials,
descriptive studies, single-subject designs, qualitative methods,
etc.)
„« Special Interest Report
„X Presents unique and innovative concepts, ideas, devices, or
products developed to meet the special needs of physical therapy;
ways in which these reports can be expressed include case reports,
case studies, and reports of projects
„« Theory Report
„X Presents a theory, idea, concept, or model that describes a
foundation for the practice of physical therapy. For additional
information on theory, see Krebs DE, Harris SR. Elements of theory
presentations in physical therapy. Phys Ther. 1988;68:690-693.

Platform Presentation
„« Case-Based Clinical Reasoning Report
„X Presents a patient case using the Guide to Physical Therapy
Practice terminology that explores the clinical reasoning used for
the examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, interventions, and
outcomes choices that were made in the management of the patient;
informs the audience about clinical decision making skills that were
supported by current best evidence-based practice


Submission Guidelines

Presentation Format
Poster Presentation: Reports are summarized on a large poster board
(3ˇ¦ x 6ˇ¦) using concise and easily readable text to present the key
components of the project. Posters are set up in one room and will
be on display for a set time during the conference. Authors will
have an assigned time block to stand with the poster and answer
questions from participants who are walking through the poster
presentation area.

Platform Presentation: A 50-minute oral presentation to a seated
audience with a moderator present to facilitate questions; 30 minutes
for the authorˇ¦s presentation and 20 minutes for questions from the
moderator and audience.

Abstract Format
Research Report must include the following information/subheadings:
Purpose, Background/Significance, Subjects, Methods and Materials,
Analyses, Results, Conclusions, Funding Source

Special Interest Report must include the following
information/subheadings unless it is a case study/report:
Purpose, Foundation (What is the underlying basis for the report?),
Description (What methods, materials, and principles did the project
involve?), Observations, Conclusions, Funding Source

For the case study/report, the following information/subheadings must
be includes:
Background and Purpose, Case Description, Outcomes, Discussion

Theory Report must include the following information/subheadings:
Theory (Describe the theory, idea, concept, or model), Phenomenon
(Describe the phenomenon the theory proposes to explain, predict, or
describe), Purpose (What is the major reason for developing the
theory presented?), Evidence (Briefly summarize the evidence or
experience that supports the theory), Testable Hypotheses (Give
examples of testable hypotheses or propositions derived from the
theory, idea, concept, or model), Importance (What is the importance
of the theory to physical therapy?), Funding Source

Case-Based Clinical Decision Making Report must include a description
of the patient case and a discussion of how clinical decision making
skills and current best evidence supported the management of the
patient

Abstract Submission Deadline is August 15, 2007

Submission Requirements
Submit one copy of the abstract electronically to the research chair
with information identifying the author(s) and contact person.
Please indicate if the abstract is for the poster or platform
presentation. The electronic file must be compatible with Microsoft
word.

Note: A ˇ§blindedˇ¨ copy of the abstract will be used for review by
the committee. For all accepted presentations, the abstract with
author identifying information will be posted on the VPTA website as
a public acknowledgement of the presentation.

Evaluation and Selection of Abstracts
The VPTA Research Committee peer reviews all abstracts. Abstracts
are selected on the basis of compliance with the content and format
requirements, intelligibility of the abstract, and the importance of
the information as it relates to physical therapy. Abstracts may be
returned to authors for revision prior to final acceptance.

Notification
Notification of the committeeˇ¦s decision will occur via email no
later than September 20, 2007.

Presentation Times and Date
All presentations are made on Friday afternoon, October 19, 2007
between approximately 4:00 and 5:30 pm.


Contact Cathy S Elrod, PhD, PT with any questions or concerns at 703-
284-5984 or cathy.elrod@...