Abstract Submission

Deadline: 11:59pm AEDT, 8 February 2026

Notifications regarding abstract submission outcomes will be sent in early-April 

Abstract guidelines and templates are provided below. You must ensure you follow the guidelines and use the correct template in order for your abstract to be submitted for review.

Abstracts on original research findings, case studies, completed projects and theoretical analyses.  Presentations should be well structured, rigorous and demonstrate a novel contribution to knowledge.

Abstracts analysing issues and solutions to problems in clinical practice; including case studies and quality improvement activities community engagement, education, health promotion and policy. Presentations should be well structured, rigorous and demonstrate a novel contribution to knowledge.

Workshops are interactive information /training sessions and should facilitate discussion and engage with the participants. Lecture-style presentation should be kept to a minimum; workshops are a facilitation exercise. 

Symposia provide an opportunity to present on a common topic or theme from multiple standpoints or disciplines, to provide a coherent flow for discussion and bring new insights.A symposium could include multiple different “lecture style” presentations or be more interactive by including a panel or debate.

Abstracts may be accepted into the VH2026 conference program as one of the following presentation types 

  • Plenary Oral Presentation: A 12-minute oral presentation with an additional 3-minute Q&A, delivered in a plenary session 
  • Oral Presentation: A 12-minute oral presentation with an additional 3-minute Q&A 
  • Rapid-Fire Oral Presentation: a 3-minute oral presentation with an additional 2-minute Q&A 
  • Spotlight Session Presentation: A 5-minute presentation of an activity or idea that has been implemented or tested in a health centre or community etc. Each presenter shares their story/idea/learning with the people at their table. The group discusses the idea and shares other experiences/ideas around the topic for a further 5 minutes. When the time is up, the presenter moves to the next table to present. The aim of the spotlight sessions is to generate ideas, experiences and possible solutions to problems shared. 
  • Presenter Symposium: Awarded as a session in the conference program. Multiple different “lecture style” presentations on a common topic or theme from multiple standpoints or disciplines 
  • Panel Symposium: Awarded as a session in the conference program. A panel / debate on a specific topic. 
  • Workshop: Awarded as a session in the conference program. An interactive information / training session that facilitates discussion 
  • Poster Tour: A 3-minute presentation with an additional 2-minute Q&A. The presentation is delivered next to your poster with no PowerPoint slides in a dedicated poster tour session. A poster tour session will feature 4-6 posters. A nominated chair will guide the audience to each poster where the presentation will be delivered through a microphone and heard by the audience through wireless headsets similar to a silent disco. 
  • Poster: You will be assigned a posterboard in the conference exhibition hall. Posterboards can accommodate an A0 sized poster in portrait orientation or an A1 sized poster in landscape orientation.  

Abstracts may be accepted into the VH2026 conference program as one of the following presentation types 

  • Plenary Oral Presentation: A 12-minute oral presentation with an additional 3-minute Q&A, delivered in a plenary session 
  • Oral Presentation: A 12-minute oral presentation with an additional 3-minute Q&A 
  • Rapid-Fire Oral Presentation: a 3-minute oral presentation with an additional 2-minute Q&A 
  • Spotlight Session Presentation: A 5-minute presentation of an activity or idea that has been implemented or tested in a health centre or community etc. Each presenter shares their story/idea/learning with the people at their table. The group discusses the idea and shares other experiences/ideas around the topic for a further 5 minutes. When the time is up, the presenter moves to the next table to present. The aim of the spotlight sessions is to generate ideas, experiences and possible solutions to problems shared. 
  • Presenter Symposium: Awarded as a session in the conference program. Multiple different “lecture style” presentations on a common topic or theme from multiple standpoints or disciplines 
  • Panel Symposium: Awarded as a session in the conference program. A panel / debate on a specific topic. 
  • Workshop: Awarded as a session in the conference program. An interactive information / training session that facilitates discussion 
  • Poster Tour: A 3-minute presentation with an additional 2-minute Q&A. The presentation is delivered next to your poster with no PowerPoint slides in a dedicated poster tour session. A poster tour session will feature 4-6 posters. A nominated chair will guide the audience to each poster where the presentation will be delivered through a microphone and heard by the audience through wireless headsets similar to a silent disco. 
  • Poster: You will be assigned a posterboard in the conference exhibition hall. Posterboards can accommodate an A0 sized poster in portrait orientation or an A1 sized poster in landscape orientation.  

Conference resources have been developed by ASHM Conference & Events Division to assist you with your abstract submission and delivery of your presentation. The resources available are:

ASHM encourages the use of person centred language throughout the conference. Please refer to the language guides before submitting your abstract.