SMRT 29th Annual Meeting • 17-20 April 2020 • ICC Sydney, 14 Darling Drive, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Abstract Submission Instructions

Abstract Submission Deadline: 06 November 2019 at 23:59 EST

Update: Abstract submissions are now FREE for all members and non-members.

PLEASE NOTE: Submissions will only be accepted from people practicing as MR Technologists, Radiographers or equivalent. A current CV/resume is required as part of the submission process. Authors will be notified of acceptance in mid-January 2020.

Abstract Withdrawal: Written requests for withdrawal of abstracts must be received by 29 February 2020 at the ISMRM/SMRT office, 2300 Clayton Road, Suite 620, Concord, CA 94520, USA.

All copyrights to accepted abstracts become the property of the SMRT. No proprietary information may be withheld by the authors.

Abstract Submission Steps

Please read through the ALL submission instructions listed below before preparing your abstract.

Step 1: Read the General Policies and Requirements for the submission of abstracts.
Step 2: Review the Abstract General Guidelines
Step 3: Read “How to Submit Your HTML-Based Abstract”
Step 4: Submit your abstract

Step 1 of 4: General Policies and Requirements

• Abstracts received after the deadline will not be accepted. The organizers will not be held responsible for abstract submission errors caused by internet service outages, hardware or software delays, power outages or unforeseen events.
• Submissions will only be accepted from people practicing as MR Technologists, Radiographers or equivalent. A current resume/CV is required as part of the submission process.
• Abstracts must be the author’s own original work that has not been previously published or presented.
• All abstracts must be submitted electronically. Paper abstracts will not be considered for review.
• Abstracts must be submitted using the templates provided. Authors are required to read the Abstract Format & Layout Guidelines carefully. The reviewing committee reserves the right to change the category of submission (Clinical Practice Focus or Research Focus) if deemed appropriate.

Abstract Review Process:

All abstracts will be peer reviewed. Abstracts will be blind reviewed (reviewers will be blind to the author details and institution(s) of origin).

Abstracts will be reviewed using the following criteria:

1. Clinical Practice Focus category
   • Clarity and organization of information
   • Background justification and purpose
   • Soundness of teaching point
   • Originality and importance of the topic to the profession
2. Research Focus category
   • Clarity and organization of information
   • Background justification and purpose
   • Soundness of methods used (study design)
   • Originality and importance of the topic to the profession

Abstract Acceptance and Notification:

The seven (7) top scoring abstracts will be selected for oral presentation at the 29th SMRT Annual Meeting in Sydney, NSW, Australia, and will receive a Proffered Paper Award. Notifications of acceptance will be sent via e-mail to the submitting author in mid-January 2020. Authors of the remaining abstracts and those specifically requesting poster-only presentations, will be considered and reviewed for a poster presentation. If your abstract is accepted for presentation as a poster you will receive detailed instructions on requirements for poster submissions.

NOTE: Authors of abstracts accepted for oral or poster presentation MUST register and attend the meeting.

Proffered Paper Awards:

The SMRT is offering Travel Scholarships to qualified SMRT members to the 2020 Annual Meeting. Preference is given to those who have an accepted abstract. In addition, the ISMRM Research and Education Fund is supporting all SMRT Proffered Paper Awards with a special grant!

Proffered Paper Awards are determined by abstract submission, NOT the oral presentation.

The President’s Award: Awarded to the most outstanding abstract submitted for oral presentation in either the Clinical Practice Focus or Research Focus categories. The honoree will receive an educational stipend to support the presentation of the award-winning abstract at the 29th SMRT Annual Meeting in Sydney.

Proffered Paper Awards: 3 additional awards are presented to the next highest scoring abstracts in each category:

• Oral Presentation – Research Focus: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place
• Oral Presentation – Clinical Practice Focus: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place

Poster Awards: Three awards are presented in each category:

• Poster Presentation – Research Focus: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place
• Poster Presentation – Clinical Practice Focus: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place

Authors of abstracts accepted for oral or poster presentation MUST register and attend the meeting. Authors submitting in the Oral Presentation format who are selected to receive a Proffered Paper Award are required to present their paper at the scheduled date and time. All oral and poster presenters will receive detailed instructions and information pertaining to their presentation at the 29th SMRT Annual Meeting with their acceptance letters. All award winners are required to attend the SMRT Awards Presentation on Sunday, 19 April 2020.

Step 2 of 4: Abstract Format & Layout Guidelines

Abstract Presentation Types: Abstracts may be submitted for presentation as an oral paper or as a poster presentation. Only 3-4 abstracts are selected for oral presentation from each category (Clinical Practice Focus or Research Focus). Abstracts not selected for oral presentation will automatically be considered for poster presentation.

Abstract Presentation Categories: There are two options for the focus of the submitted work:

1. Clinical Practice Focus: This category is for the presentation of work which demonstrates an improvement in patient care or diagnosis through the application of existing MR techniques. This is an opportunity to share your innovative ideas with your colleagues. The category does not require a formal study to have been undertaken.
2. Research Focus: This category is for the presentation of work which describes novel or innovative MRI investigations or developments which have been tested by standard research methodology, i.e. a hypothesis is tested, results are obtained and analyzed and a conclusion is drawn as to whether or not the hypothesis was correct.

Options for the presentation may include:

• Describing a technique and its applications that you currently employ.
• Presenting innovative ways to improve professional practice.
• Undertaking a literature review to research a topic/technique that is new or uncommon for the purpose of presenting your colleagues with an overview of current practice or standard of care.
• Conducting your own research into a new technique or application.

Abstract Elements

The purpose of the abstract is to define the precise subject of the presentation to an audience. The abstract title should be short, informative and contain the major key words. An abstract must contain sufficient information so that if published it would be a complete report independent of presentation. The text should not contain statements alluding to results or conclusions not presented within the text.

A properly submitted abstract will have the following suggested section titles:

Clinical Practice Focus

• Background
• Teaching Point
• Summary or Conclusions
• References

Research Focus

• Background or Purpose
• Methods
• Results
• Conclusions
• References

Step 3 of 4: Read “How to Submit Your HTML-Based Abstract”

New for 2020, SMRT abstracts will be submitted using our HTML-based submission website. We strongly recommend you read our guide to this system, especially if you’ve never submitted an abstract this way before.

Click Here to Learn How to Submit Your HTML-Based Abstract

Step 4 of 4: Abstract Submission Site