Skip to Main Content

EBP & Clinical Inquiry

Online "Textbook" for Clinical Inquiry Internship for Nursing & Allied Health

Sustaining a Change / Disseminating Results

CONGRATULATIONS! You've made a practice change!    Dissemination is a vital part of the EBP process -- share the work you have done so others can provide evidence-based patient care. Don't make them re-invent the wheel.

Keep the good work going! Create a dissemination plan in your EBP Project Portfolio Step 5.

Start with

  • a presentation to your unit or department
  • a brief write-up for a department newsletter or hospital blog
  • a report to the EBP / Research Council at your hospital

Take the next step:

  • Present a poster (or podium presentation) at Carle (West region - January Cindy Haile conference; Central region - May (Nurse's Week); East region - December Clinical Inquiry Conference).

Go further:

  • Present a poster (or podium presentation) at an external venue- local, regional or national conference
  • Submit a project report to the Sigma Repository
  • Publish an article about the results of your work

Check in with your EBP Mentor and Manager - let them know where you are in the process, and what questions you have. 

Abstracts / Posters / Podium Presentations / Manuscripts

Conferences issue a "call for abstracts" -- submit, then wait to learn if you are accepted for a poster or podium presentation. Not every submission is accepted - if not, try another conference. In most cases it is fine to submit to more than 1 conference at a time (NOT true for journal article submissions). 

  • Follow the Call for Abstracts very carefully.  Reviewers may be looking to quickly eliminate abstracts -- and if yours doesn't follow the guidelines -- you're out!  If the call provides wordcount limits or requests a structured abstract -- be sure to follow those.
  • Set a timeline 
    • Schedule to submit at least 1 day before the deadline - to avoid submission system glitches
    • Plan to have 2-3 people review your draft, and give yourself time to revise - at least a week before submission deadline
  • Even if the call doesn't require a structured format, use these sections to organize:
    • Background
    • Purpose / Aims / QUESTION (PICO/PPCO)
    • Design / Methods (your search strategy and results [databases searched, keywords/subject headings])
    • Results / Findings (evidence strength/quality)
    • Implementation
    • Implications / Conclusions / Further study
    • Title - create this last
  • Be sure to
    • Proofread
    • Have at least 1 person NOT involved in your project proofread (for clarity).
    • Double check that you have met the instructions
    • Factor in time zones and tech glitches -- allow extra time to submit. Don't wait til the last possible moment.

Hurray! Your abstract was accepted and the conference wants you to present a poster.   Here are some tips to produce a great poster:

  • You will typically create your poster as a powerpoint slide - you may need to print  (see box to left)
  • Set a timeline - plan in time for author reviews and local proofreaders - as well as printing
    • If you simply submit the ppt file -- plan to submit at least a day before the deadline to avoid potential tech glitches
  • Follow conference guidelines for poster size, font, etc.
  • Use the Carle template below (also available on the CLICK Brand Resource Center) - unless conference provides one
    • Lots of pointers on the Carle template
  • If you are at a Magnet or Pathways location, add the Magnet Logo from the CLICK Brand Resource Center 
  • Set a timeline - plan in time for author reviews and local proofreaders - as well as printing
    • If you simply submit the ppt file -- plan to submit at least a day before the deadline to avoid potential tech glitches
  • Use meaningful visuals (Tables, charts) to "break up" the text - be sure to follow copyright guidelines for images. Consult with your librarian to be sure

Before submitting:

  • Proofread -- have all authors approve the poster
  • Verify spelling and credentials for authors
  • Have a non-author proofread the poster
  • Double check all requirements

Creating a compelling poster

Poster Development Tips from Virginia Commonwealth Univ Library.  The Makersigns info is NOT relevant to Carle.

CONGRATULATIONS! -- the conference wants you to present a podium presentation!

Typically, you will create a power point presentation. You may be given a time limit by the conference organizers. Use the Carle Presentation Template available on CLICK "Brand Central."

Typical slides:

  1. Title Page:  title, authors, and abstract/paper number if available, organization logo
  2. Conflict of Interest Disclosure
  3. Background information: Hospital/clinic/ unit/ size / what led you to do the project? / what problem were you working to solve?
  4. PICO and search: Keywords used / summary of findings - how many/ quality? Challenges?
  5. Implementation:   Did you try a pilot first? Challenges? Were adjustments/ iterations needed?
  6. Results:  Graphs and tables are easier to interpret than written results
  7. Discussion / Conclusions / Future directions
  8. Thank you
  9. References
  • Limit the amount of text on a slide - makes presentation easier for the audience to follow
  • Talk about your presentation - don't read off the slide!  Relevant images and diagrams can help present information in an engaging way - just don't let them become a distraction.
  • If you will be in a LARGE space -- a colored background with yellow or white text is often easier on the eyes than a white background.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

  • Have the presentation in a your work and personal email  (in addition to what you submitted to the conference)
  • Have a printed copy with you -- just in case of technological glitches at the conference
  • Spend just a little time thinking of what you would do if you couldn't present the slides but DON'T OBSESS!

Podium Presentation Tips - UC Davis Health

Giving the Podium Presentation. American College of Physicians

See the Writing and Publishing guide for more information.