CALL FOR ABSTRACTS - NOW OPEN

BETHUNE ROUND TABLE 2025 CONFERENCE

GLOBAL SURGERY: Surgical, Obstetric and Anesthesia Care

May 23 - 25, 2025

University of Calgary

Since its inception in 2001 the Bethune Round Table (BRT) is an annual conference addressing the challenges of delivering accessible, safe surgical care to marginalized patients in low-resource settings. Health professionals from around the world submit abstracts to highlight their work and research towards health equity in surgical, obstetric, and anesthesia care in underserved areas. The purpose is to share knowledge, experiences, innovations, and develop collaboration.

Abstract Submission Deadline: February 2 , 2025

Abstract Guidelines

The abstract should focus on one of the following themes:

Pursuing Equity in Surgical, Obstetric and Anesthetic Care

Through Multidirectional Teaching and Learning Programs
Through Multidisciplinary Innovations
In Hostile Environments

Topic: Surgical, Obstetrics, and/or Anaesthesia care in low-resource settings (including rural/ remote/ Indigenous communities)

Disciplines: All surgical disciplines will be accepted (nursing, OR technicians, midwives etc.)

Abstracts should be written in English.
Abstracts must not be more than 250 words in total
The author that submits the abstract is assumed to be the presenting author.
The author that submits the abstract should specify the format that he/she wants to present, oral presentation or poster presentation. All abstracts will be considered for posters or podium presentations. Podium presentations will be given 10 minutes for presentation and 5 minutes for questions. Presentations can be virtual (pre-recorded) or in-person.
The presenting author must register and present the abstract.
Abstracts may be previously presented, however the author(s) will not be able to present their abstract again at a future conference, because all accepted abstracts will be published in the Canadian Journal of Surgery (CJS).
Top abstracts from LMIC residents will be chosen for scholarships (see abstract evaluation criteria for more details).
The contents of the abstract must include the following:

Title
Background
Objective(s)
Methods
Results
Conclusion

Abstract Evaluation Criteria

All abstracts will be evaluated by our reviewers following these four criteria (note, not all criteria will apply to all study types)

Needs assessment: A proper needs assessment taking into considerations local needs and priorities was performed

Outcomes measurement: Data on locally relevant outcomes was collected and analyzed

Fair authorship: Authors from both high-resource and low-resource settings are listed on the author list, their position in the author list representative of their involvement in the project

Scientific merit: Must have satisfactory study methodology (e.g. well described trial or equivalent)

Top abstracts from LMIC residents will be chosen for travel scholarships, to present their abstract in person. Scholarships will include registration fee, air travel to/from Calgary, and accommodation in Calgary. The BRT 2025 Academic Committee, using abstract evaluation criteria, will select abstracts for scholarship. Abstract for travel scholarship closed on January 15, 2025. Abstracts from LMIC residents can still be submitted until February 2, 2025 without travel scholarship for virtual presentation.