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The mission of the Academy is to optimize patient care through professionalism education, scholarship, policy and practice in all health-related fields.

Home2024 November 22 Virtual Conference
The Academy for Professionalism in Health Care call for proposals deadline Monday, September 9.

Enhancing Professionalism through Effective Communication:
From In-Person to AI


Friday, November 22, 2024, virtually via Zoom 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET

Effective communication is a key factor that shapes what clinicians, patients, educators, learners, and society at large consider “professional” in the health care context. This virtual conference will examine all kinds of communication - verbal, non-verbal, and written - in the context of professionalism in health care. Professionalism is a complex combination of values, beliefs, standards, and practices. We welcome submissions related to Education, Clinical Care, Bioethics, and Public Health, the pillars of the Academy for Professionalism in Health Care.



The submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. EDT, Monday, September 9, 2024

Here is the link for the submission: Abstract Submission Application

Submission Requirements
You can be a first author and/or presenter for one abstract only.
  • All presenters need to Register for the Conference. (Members $25, Non-member $95, Post Graduate Trainees - $10, and Students are free
  • We aim for highly interactive sessions that relate to the conference theme: Enhancing Professionalism through Effective Communication: From In-Person to AI
  • The APHC pillars are:
    • Education
    • Clinical Care
    • Bioethics
    • Public Health

The conference themes include, but are not limited to the intersection of professionalism and communication:

Theoretical Concepts & Frameworks
Professional Formation of Individuals 
Professional Formation of Interprofessional Teams
Assessment and Remediation 
Organizational Strategies
Professionalism through Education 
Cultural, Geographic, and Other Linguistic Differences 
Professional Socialization 
Ethical Dilemmas 
Opportunities & Challenges in Clinical Settings
Clinician/Patient Relationship 
Social Media
Body Language 
Artificial Intelligence


We welcome proposals on any of the above or other related topics.  The table below provides more information about the presentation formats and the associated abstract requirements.


Please select among the following session types and follow the submission instructions:
  • Panel Discussion (60 minutes) - 3-4 presenters briefly share their perspectives on a specific topic. A moderator facilitates a discussion among the panelists as well as with the participants.
  • How-to Workshop (60 minutes) - 2-4 presenters engage the participants in highly interactive skills-building activities using a variety of instructional tools.
  • Problem-Solving Session (60 minutes) - 2-4 presenters engage the participants in small and large group discussions to arrive at some potential solutions for a pressing problem. Cases or specific questions are provided to stimulate multiple solutions.
  • Educational Game (60 minutes) - 1-2 presenters engage the participants in an educational game that addresses professionalism issues. The session is summarized with audience-generated learning gains.
  • Oral Presentation (10 minutes presentation & 5 minutes for questions and answers) - 1-2 authors describe their or their group’s research, theoretical work, or educational innovation in 10 minutes using slides and other audio-visual aids. This is followed by 5 minutes of questions and answers. Presentations are grouped by theme and additional audience discussion time is built in at the end.
  • Virtual Poster Recording (5 minutes recorded & 5 minutes for questions and answers) - An individual or a group shows a succinct 5-minute video recording discussing their poster that presents their research, theoretical work, or educational innovation followed by 5 minutes of questions and answers in real time.
Each abstract will undergo a blinded peer review by three peer reviewers, who will judge the abstracts based on their fit with the conference theme or their general contribution to the advancement of the study, practice or teaching of professionalism. Inclusivity, creativity, scholarship and level of participant involvement will also be key considerations. We encourage the full use of virtual interaction tools such as break out rooms, polling and annotations.

Below are the specific abstract requirements for each of the presentation types. The conference committee reserves the right to propose presentation type changes.

Guidelines for each Presentation Type:
Proposal Submission Deadline: Monday, September 9, 2024


Presentation Type

(select one)

Submission Requirements
  • Panel Discussion (60 min)
  • Informative but short title
  • 2-sentence session summary
  • Theme designation
  • Abstract (150 words maximum): What is the focus of the session? How does it relate to the conference theme or the advancement of the field? Why is it important? What questions will be discussed/voted on? What competencies will be taught?)
  • 2-3 Objectives: By the end of the session, what should participants be able to Know, Do, Value?
  • Outline/Timing (How will the session be organized? How will the participants be engaged? The last 5 minutes must be devoted to participant’s reflections on Take Home Points)
  • Willingness to share session recording & materials
  • Special set-up needs (e.g., breakout rooms, videos)
  • Number of Speakers
  • How-to Workshop (60 min)
  • Problem Solving Session (60 min)
  • Educational Game (30 min)
  • Oral Presentation (10 min & 5 min Q&As)
  • Informative but short title
  • 2-sentence presentation summary
  • Theme designation
  • Abstract (150 words maximum): Background & Project Goals, Research or Instructional/Assessment Methods, Results or Program Evaluation, Conclusions
  • Willingness to share session recording & materials
  • Special set-up needs (e.g., video)
  • Presenter/Author(s)
  • Attach poster handout in the chat
  • Virtual Poster Recording (5 min video recording & 5 min Q&A)



Here is the link for the submission: Abstract Submission Application