Call for Presentation Proposals

NHPCO's Interdisciplinary Conference

Strengthen Your Organization: Care, Compliance, Quality
San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina, San Diego, CA

Education Programs and Preconference Seminars: September 16-17, 2017
Main Conference: September 18-20, 2017

Presentation Proposal Deadline: Sunday, March 19, 2017, 11:59 pm ET

Steps and Instructions:

1. Target Audience

   Professionals in the hospice and palliative care field and related stakeholders, in the following disciplines: advanced nurse practitioner, bereavement, palliative care, physician, nurse, quality, regulatory and compliance, social work and spiritual care.

2. Proposal Submission Guideline

   The Conference Planning Committee stresses the importance of completing all requested information for each prospective presenter, which includes educational background, qualifications, professional and presentation experience and financial disclosure. Conference Planning Committee members review all proposals and their reviews help determine whether a proposal is selected for the conference. Inadequate and/or incomplete information is not viewed favorably by reviewers and directly affects the acceptance of proposals. To ensure your proposal is given serious consideration, provide all requested information in the online submission format and ensure that any co-presenters complete required information before proposals enter the review process (generally within one week of the deadline date for the Call for Proposals). In addition, make sure your proposal fits with the Spotlight Areas for this conference (see above) and that the content is at an intermediate to advanced level (novice/beginner level presentations will not be accepted for this conference).
   
   You are invited to submit a proposal that demonstrates significant work and achievement in meeting one or more of the conference objectives identified above. All proposals must be focused on intermediate to advanced learning levels as determined by NHPCO's Conference Planning Committee.

3. Proposal Requirements

   In order to allow an independent evaluation of the relevance and potential effectiveness of the presentation and to afford us the opportunity to apply for continuing education credit for professional disciplines, submissions must include the following:

   • Presentation type (60-75 minute concurrent session or 90-minute workshop)
   • Title: a title for the presentation that describes the subject matter
   • Faculty e-mail addresses
   • Presentation level: Intermediate (Competent) or Advanced (Expert)
   • Focus Area: See above
   • Faculty
   • A completed "Faculty Profile" for each presenter, which includes:
     • Current position
     • Current contact information with email address
     • Highest degree earned and institutions attended
     • Experience and expertise on the topic to be presented
   • Financial disclosure information for each faculty
   • A 2-3 sentence description of the session (to enable participants to determine their interest in attending)
   • Objectives, Strategies, Practice Gaps and References
   • Three measurable learning objectives (written from the perspective of what participants will learn rather than what faculty will teach);
   • Identification of teaching strategies
   • Description of what gap in knowledge, practice or outcomes underlies the need for this session
   • Three to five references (professional publications, books and/or research from the past 5 years) that support and document the evidence-base or content validity of the proposal
   • Detailed content outline
   • Identification of all major topics that will be covered in the presentation
   • Detailed description of all discussion, experiential or participatory aspects of the session
   • Adequate information to enable proposal reviewers to discern whether the session will have broad interest, appeal, applicability and whether it will meet one or more the conference objectives

   Presentations should demonstrate measurable impact and results. Your emphasis should be on the application of the concept or solution presented using simulations, exercises, and tools that enhance the learning experience. Feedback received from previous conferences indicates that participants are looking for �real-world� examples of what works and �how-to� suggestions to implement new ideas and programs.

4. Proposal Review and Selection Process

   NHPCO's proposal review process is conducted by members of the Conference Planning Committee, which ensures a rigorous review of every proposal. This Committee is comprised of hospice and palliative care professionals from NHPCO's Professional Education Committee, National Council of Hospice Palliative Professionals (NCHPP), Council of States, NHPCO committees and other hospice and palliative care professionals with demonstrated successes and/or knowledge of spotlight areas for this conference.

   Proposals are reviewed carefully based on the following criteria:

   • Topic is innovative, relevant and/or related to the conference focus and objectives;
   • Time allocation and presentation content are well organized, with an accurate presentation level;
   • Faculty has appropriate and relevant expertise and experience in the topic area;
   • Learning objectives are measurable and achievable, (view sample);
   • Likelihood of significant interest, appeal, applicability in the session;
   • Quality of practical information: tools, tips, practices, etc. that participants will be able to implement and/or utilize following the presentation;
   • Identification of relevant professional practice gaps;
   • Relevant reference information.

   The Conference Planning Committee encourages proposals from companies and organizations representing diverse points of view. Proposals are selected on the basis of information submitted. Faculty, session titles, and content are expected to correspond to the proposal. Any faculty substitutions, deletions, or additions must be approved by NHPCO. NHPCO reserves the right to edit accepted presentations for publication on NHPCO's website and in conference materials.

   All materials provided in conference sessions must be reviewed by NHPCO prior to the conference. As a result, deadlines for session handouts and slides are scheduled well in advance of the conference. Materials not submitted to NHPCO for review in advance may not be shown or provided in conference sessions.

   Should you be selected to speak at this NHPCO conference, we ask that you view the opportunity as an important commitment and ensure that you meet all requests and deadlines, and that you deliver the presentation as scheduled. By sharing your expertise, you make a valuable contribution to the end-of-life care field.

   Preconference and plenary faculty is invited by NHPCO staff. Concurrent session presentations are selected through this Call for Presentation Proposals. Preference is given to those with significant expertise and experience presenting at national, state and regional events; a detailed description of faculty education, qualifications and presentation experience is required. In addition, each faculty member is required to disclose any relevant financial relationships he/she may have with commercial companies (see Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships with Commercial Companies below).

5. Proposal Notification

   The status of your proposal will be sent to you in May. Your proposal will be accepted, rejected or, in some cases, tentatively accepted (i.e. awaiting an opening in the conference schedule of educational sessions so that it can be accepted/scheduled).

6. Types of Presentations

   The Conference Planning Committee is seeking proposals in the following categories:

   • 60 and 75 Minute Concurrent Sessions: Concurrent sessions will provide intermediate to advanced level content highlighting significant work and achievement that meets one or more of the Learning Objectives identified above. These sessions include a Q & A period.
   
   
   • 90 Minute Workshops (must include participant involvement in the learning experience): Workshops must be interactive and are intermediate to advanced level skill-building sessions providing in-depth exploration of a new model, program or proactive approach and teach new approaches or skills to the audience. Note: Only a few workshops will be selected for this conference; make sure your proposal for a 90 minute session meets the criteria. NHPCO reserves the right to assign proposals for a 90 minute session to a 60-75 minute session.

7. Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships with Commercial Companies

   NHPCO endorses the Standards of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the American Nurses Credentialing Commission (ANCC) and other professional bodies which specify that sponsors (i.e. NHPCO) of continuing medical education/continuing education activities disclose all relevant financial relationships* with commercial interests* whose products or services are discussed in educational presentations.

   NHPCO has implemented a process where everyone who is in a position to control the content of an educational activity must disclose all relevant financial relationships they have with any commercial interest. (This includes NHPCO, as we disclose to participants all educational grants we receive for our conferences.) If it is determined that a conflict of interest* exists as a result of a relevant financial relationship faculty has, NHPCO will work with the faculty to resolve the conflict prior to the conference. In the event a conflict cannot be resolved or any faculty refuses to disclose relevant financial relationships, faculty will be disqualified from presenting at this conference.

   Under no circumstances should NHPCO's national conference be used as a place for promotion of a faculty member's product, service or monetary self-interest. NHPCO takes the responsibility for ensuring that conferences are free from commercial bias very seriously, and may decline all future proposals from faculty who does not abide by this policy.

   *See below for a glossary of terms.

8. Presentation Expectations

   All presentations made at NHPCO conferences must adhere to content validation value statements. Specifically, all suggestions or recommendations involving clinical medicine and practice must be based upon evidence that is accepted within the medical profession.

   In addition, all scientific research referred to, reported or used in a conference session must conform to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection and analysis.

   NHPCO faculty is expected to refrain from overt statements, harsh language or pointed humor that disparages the rightful dignity and social equity of any individual or group.

   All materials provided in conference sessions must be reviewed by NHPCO prior to the conference. As a result, deadlines for PowerPoint slides and/or handouts are scheduled well in advance of the conference. Materials not submitted to NHPCO for review in advance will not be available to conference attendees until after the conference; generally two weeks later.

9. Conference Schedule

   To achieve a balanced conference program, NHPCO will determine the days and times that sessions are scheduled. Faculty must be able to speak on the day assigned. NHPCO reserves the right to change the length of any session; faculty will be notified and asked to adjust their content outline accordingly.

10. Faculty Registration Discount

    As a nonprofit association, NHPCO does not provide honoraria for concurrent session faculty. Faculty must cover all of their individual travel and living expenses. All faculty attending the full conference receive a discount on the conference registration fee. NHPCO does not reimburse faculty for travel, lodging or other expenses.

11. Audio Visual Equipment

    NHPCO provides laptop computers and standard audio-visual equipment for all presentations. Additional information will be provided on the Faculty website.

12. Glossary of Terms

    Commercial Interest

    A 'commercial interest' is any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients with the exemption of non-profit or government organizations, non-health care related companies, health insurance providers, for-profit hospitals, rehabilitation centers and nursing homes.

    Financial relationships

    Financial relationships are those relationships in which the individual benefits by receiving a salary, royalty, intellectual property rights, consulting fee, honoraria, ownership interest (e.g., stocks, stock options or other ownership interest, excluding diversified mutual funds), or other financial benefit. Financial benefits are usually associated with roles such as employment, management position, independent contractor (including contracted research), consulting, speaking and teaching, membership on advisory committees or review panels, board membership, and other activities from which remuneration is received, or expected. NHPCO considers relationships of the person involved in the CME activity to include financial relationships of a spouse or partner.

    Relevant financial relationships

    NHPCO focuses on financial relationships with commercial interests in the 12-month period preceding the time that the individual is being asked to assume a role controlling content of the CME activity. There is not a set minimal dollar amount for relationships to be significant. Inherent in any amount is the incentive to maintain or increase the value of the relationship. "'Relevant' financial relationships" as financial relationships in any amount occurring within the past 12 months that create a conflict of interest.

    Conflict of Interest

    Circumstances create a conflict of interest when an individual has an opportunity to affect CME content about products or services of a commercial interest with which he/she has a financial relationship.

13. Technical Support

    For more information on our Call for Presentation Proposals process or to be notified when future Call for Presentation Proposals open, contact Wanda Allen at wallen@nhpco.org or 703-647-8508.

    For help in submitting an abstract online, email Tech Support.

For more information about the process or to be added to the Call for Presentation Proposals e-mail list, contact NHPCO Professional Education at 703-647-5178 or education@nhpco.org.

Begin a submission for the following: