Tips for submitting an abstract

Introduction 

Swati Jha (SJ): Hello, I'm Swati Jha and I'm part of the organising committee for the RCOG World Congress 2027 taking place from 22-24 April in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Together with my colleague, Muniswaran Ganeshan, who is part of the local organising committee, we want to share a few tips on how to submit a good abstract for the Congress. 

What makes a good abstract? 

SJ: Writing a good abstract can be challenging, especially when trying to summarise extensive work within a tight word limit. The most important first step is to read the submission instructions carefully, the word count, the format, themes and deadlines. Reviewers assess many abstracts, so those that don't follow the rules risk being rejected before content is even considered. 

How do you write a good abstract? 

Muniswaran Ganeshan (MG): A strong abstract generally follows a clear structure with five important different elements: The title and authors, introduction, methods, results and conclusion. This structure helps reviewers understand your work quickly and assess its scientific merit. Let's take a look at each different principle in detail.  

Firstly, the title and author information. Your title should be concise, accurate, but more importantly engaging, highlighting why the topic matters. It is also important to list all the authors and their affiliations systematically and clearly. The first author is typically the presenting author, so please ensure they meet the eligibility requirements for oral or poster presentations. 

Next, let's take a look at the introduction. The introduction should briefly describe the problem your study addresses, what is already known about a subject, but more importantly, what gap your research fills. Keep the introduction focused. End this section with a clear statement of the study's aim and primary objective. 

Next, methods. In the method section, include essential elements such as study design, setting, number of participants, how they were selected, interventions or tests used, outcome measures and statistical approaches. If applicable, it is important to state ethics approval, which is important. More importantly, keep the description concise and factual as much as possible. 

Next, results. Begin by outlining what was included or excluded in the study and stating why. Present the key outcomes with numerical data. including confidence intervals and significant levels, which is important. If tables are permitted, use them sparingly and only to add clarity to your results. If your findings are not statistically significant, report the study's power to detect a meaningful difference. 

And finally, conclusion. The conclusion should explain what your result means and its relevance to the clinical practice and also to trigger further future research. Avoid unsupported clips. If space allows, briefly mention strengths, limitations and how generalisable your findings may be. 

Here are some additional tips to authors. Do not use more than three abbreviations, but it's important to define each of the abbreviations used. Revise your abstract several times before submission, but it's important to seek guidance and feedback from your supervisors and peers. It is also important to ensure there are no grammatical errors and it is important to have clarity in your writing. Precision and readability makes a huge difference, but more importantly, keep it originally yours. 

Why should you submit an abstract? 

SJ: Well, submitting an abstract gives you the chance to showcase your work to colleagues from across the world. It's an excellent way to build your academic profile, gain visibility and create valuable collaborations at an international level. And you can also enter the chance to win prestigious prizes and awards. 

As a senior clinician, encourage your trainees to submit the work you have supervised for an opportunity to present this on a world stage.  

How does submitting an abstract benefit your career? 

MG: I remember as a young trainee almost two decades ago, I submitted to an RCOG Congress, I was extremely delighted, and that paper two decades ago has shaped my career in a big way. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting at an international Congress like the RCOG helps refine your thinking and strengthens your future work. Feedback from these sessions helps to improve your future publications and better design studies. I myself have extremely found this important and valuable, but it is also important to share your work on a global platform and I think that is extremely important in everyone's career milestones.  

Closing words 

SJ: We hope you found these tips useful and we really, really look forward to meeting you and welcoming you in person at the RCOG World Congress 2027 in Malaysia.