British Thoracic Society
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Abstracts

Summer Meeting

We are currently inviting abstract submissions for the Summer Meeting. This provides an excellent opportunity to showcase innovative projects developed by all members of the respiratory MDT. Please encourage your local teams to submit.

The submission deadline is 23:59 on 16 March 2026.

We welcome abstracts that provide measured improvements to patient care and that highlight multi-professional projects, big and small. We ask that your abstract demonstrates some of the following:

  • Use of QI methodology to support an evidence-based change in patient care.
  • Models of education that have delivered training in your service to encourage best practice.
  • Innovative integrated care solutions where you are working collaboratively across traditional NHS boundaries.
  • Innovative use of digital technology.

Following a submission and refereeing process, the top 12 abstracts will be shortlisted to compete for a BTS Prize. These shortlisted abstracts will be delivered as oral presentations during 2 specific sessions at the Summer Meeting on Thursday 9 July. The presentations will be judged on the day, and prizes will be awarded.

A number of abstracts not selected to compete for a prize will be invited to submit a digital poster, which will be displayed in the exhibition hall and on the conference app.

The Clinical Grand Round competition has been one of the highlights of the Society’s Summer Meeting programme for many years, and it remains a very closely contested event, which enhances the CV of any Specialist Trainee, nurse or AHP who is selected as a finalist. The competition is not open to post CCT doctors, but we welcome applications from all other members of the respiratory team. 
 
The authors of the best three submissions, as judged by members of the BTS Education and Training Committee, will be invited to present their cases during the Clinical Grand Round Symposium at the BTS Summer Meeting on Thursday 9 July. Presenters will be expected to interact with the audience by including questions within their presentations so that delegates may make use of the voting system. 

Final judging will take place after the session has ended and prizes will be awarded at a reception that evening. The winner will receive a cash prize and all three finalists will receive a certificate of merit and free entry to both days of the Summer Meeting.  

Whilst historically it is often respiratory trainees who submit to the Clinical Grand Round, we would encourage all members of the MDT, including nurses and AHPs, to consider applying, which will ensure that the entire respiratory workforce remains represented in all aspects of the Summer Meeting.  

Guidelines for what makes a good case for consideration of shortlisting for the Clinical Grand Round: 

  1. Ideal submissions will highlight a case demonstrating aspects of commonly encountered diseases that provide the audience with key learning points, whilst providing a diagnostic or management challenge. The judging panel are not looking for cases that focus on esoteric or rare diseases.   
  2. Submit an abstract of your case presentation of 350 words maximum with one diagram or figure. The abstract should include an introduction, description of the case and conclusion with learning points. 
  3. Do not use pictures/CTs etc in the initial submission. These should be added later if you are selected as a finalist. Finalists will have 20 minutes to present and we will expect to see a PowerPoint presentation and some interaction with the audience using a voting system, if the case is suited to this format. 
  4. Submissions will be judged on interest level and learning points and on content, style and quality of writing.