Bridging the gap between problems and solutions
We believe the best advances in health come from a true understanding of the challenges faced by patients, health professionals and the wider system at the point of need - or ideally before.
Too often, we see great solutions to problems that don't really exist.
That is why rather than a traditional call for abstracts, we're issuing a call for problems. We want to hear from everyone across the health and care spectrum, whether you are a patient, clinician, manager or system leader.
Problems can range from a small, single site context to multidisciplinary and cross-boundary collaborations. Unlike most calls for posters or abstracts, you can submit your problem at any stage of the innovation process - even if you have not yet produced results.
Why take part?
If your submission is selected, you will have the opportunity to showcase your work, share your ideas and connect with others across health and care.
Successful applicants will be offered a discounted rate to purchase a two-day ticket.
As a successful applicant, you will have the opportunity to:
- Showcase your work through an e-poster, displayed at the event and shared digitally with attendees.
- Be published in a leading journal, with your abstract published as a supplement in the BMJ Innovations Journal.
- Submit a short video presentation, which will be shared on the event website, YouTube and displayed throughout the event.
- Present your work as part of the programme* in one of the following formats:
- The Call for Problems Clinic, for those looking to explore their problem further or work through where they are stuck. You will be paired with a facilitator to explore your problem in depth and identify next steps in a small group discussion.
- The Innovation Café, for those developing or testing solutions, an interactive table discussion in a fast-paced format designed to showcase and discuss your ideas with a wider audience.
*Presentation formats are allocated by the programme committee and are subject to approval.
Your submission should include:
- The problem
Describe the setting in which the problem exists, including its scale and impact. - Your solution
How do you think the problem should be solved? Or what have you done already to address it? - Impact (or potential impact)
What were the results of your changes? Or what do you think the anticipated impact and outcomes could be?
- Submission deadline: Thursday 4 August
- Results shared: 31 August
- Registration deadline: 16 September
- You'll need to nominate one lead author for each problem submission, and you're welcome to include up to two co-authors.
- While lead authors can only submit one problem, co-authors can be involved in more than one submission and can also lead a separate problem.