Abstract Information

Call for Abstracts Opens September 8!

Ready to shape the future of WOC care? Bring your finest research, case series, literature reviews, or practice innovations to Savannah for WOCNext 2027! Share your work with a global community of peers, and step into the spotlight with publication in a special online supplement of the Journal of Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing (JWOCN^®).

Abstract Submission Opens: Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
Submission Deadline: Monday, November 2, 2026, 11:00 AM EST / 8:00 AM PST.

General Submission Information

Your abstract should describe one of the following:

Image	RESEARCH STUDY In this abstract category, author(s) will present original research focusing on wound, ostomy, continence, foot and nail care, or professional practice.
Image	CASE SERIES In this abstract category, author(s) will present at least THREE cases that present a clinical challenge managed with a unique solution that pertains to wound, ostomy, continence, or foot and nail care.
Image	PRACTICE INNOVATION In this abstract category, author(s) will present innovative practice changes that demonstrate a new way to approach a problem that pertains to wound, ostomy, continence, foot and nail care, or professional practice. Quality Improvement projects will be presented in this category.
Image	LITERATURE REVIEW NEW! In this abstract category, author(s) will present a review of at least five (5) studies addressing a clinical or professional topic in wound, ostomy, continence, foot and nail care, or professional practice.

All submissions must be completed electronically. No hard copies will be accepted. Selection of abstracts is based on a blind peer review using the criteria below. All accepted abstracts will be published in a supplement to the Journal of Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nursing (JWOCN).

Please provide appropriate symbols and 1 to 3 references and secure all permissions if dealing with copyrighted material and/or patents. This is solely the author(s) responsibility to secure these permissions. The WOCN^® Society has no responsibility whatsoever in securing these permissions.

Please give credit to all references used in the development of the abstract/poster. Lack of appropriate citation may result in abstract/poster rejection.

Please note: Submitted abstracts are final. Pay close attention to spelling, grammar, rules for what type of information is not allowed, names, and credentials before you submit.

Registration to WOCNext 2027 by the presenting author is required for all accepted abstracts.

Click here to view the 2026 accepted abstracts.

If you have any questions, please contact Donna Bliss, PhD, RN, FGSA, WOCNF, FAAN, National Conference Planning Committee Abstract Chair at abstracts@wocn.org.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

Important Details

Abstract Submission Opens: Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
Abstract Submission Deadline: Monday, November 2, 2026, 11:00 AM EST / 8:00 AM PST.
Acceptance/Rejection Notification Letters Sent: Early January 2027 (If you do not receive a notification by mid-January 2027, please check your spam folder. If you do not see the message there, contact info@wocn.org)
Registration Deadline: Monday, March 15, 2027.
ePoster Upload Deadline: Monday, March 22, 2027.

ABSTRACT AUTHOR RESOURCES

Abstract Author Resources

Image	ABSTRACT SUBMISSION PROCESS BITE-SIZE LEARNING COURSE Earn 0.50 Contact Hours with this bite-size learning course. This session demonstrates the step-by-step process for submission of an abstract and will provide you with tips for successful abstract writing. WATCH NOW
Image	ABSTRACT SUBMISSION PROCESS INSTRUCTIONS Review this PDF to view the abstract submission process instructions and view a complete list of FAQs. VIEW NOW
Image	DEVELOPING AND SUBMITTING AN ePOSTER FOR WOCNEXT BITE-SIZED LEARNING COURSE Earn 0.50 Contact Hours with this Bite-Sized Learning Course. This session reviews the guidelines for developing a successful ePoster. The session includes the discussion of the key components of an ePoster presentation and tips for successful development. WATCH NOW
Image	DEVELOPING ABSTRACTS AND ePOSTERS FOR WOCNEXT PODCAST EPISODE On this episode of WOCTalk, we discuss important strategies and tips to develop successful abstracts, common mistakes, how to design posters, new changes, and more. LISTEN NOW

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ABSTRACT SUBMISSION

Instructions for Abstract Submission

Only the names of authors who have completed work on the study/project may be included. All authors must be submitted at the time the abstract is submitted. Authors listed on the abstract at time of submission MUST be the same as those listed on the poster.
The title for the presentation should inform the reader of the subject matter.
Limit the abstract to 300 words, single-spaced. Title, author, and references are not included in the word count. Please be sure that your abstract describes the work performed.
A minimum of three (3) patients are required for the “Case Series " abstract category.
No images or photos can be included in the abstract.
Abstracts should be submitted to their appropriate category. Those submitted to an incorrect category cannot properly be reviewed and thus will not be accepted.
The abstract will be blind-reviewed, so please make sure that neither author(s) name(s) nor institutional affiliations appear in the body of the abstract text. Use generic descriptions of settings.
At least one and no more than three references in AMA style are required. There is a separate area to provide references.
PRODUCT OR DEVICE BRAND NAMES MUST NOT BE INCLUDED IN YOUR ABSTRACT- NO EXCEPTIONS. Please provide only the generic name in the body of the abstract.

THE REVIEW PROCESS

The Review Process

The review process is completed by WOCN members selected for their content/research expertise and using criteria shown in the Abstract Scoring section below. Abstracts are blindly reviewed (meaning that the person who reads and rates an abstract does not know the name of the author(s)). Abstracts are accepted or rejected based on an average of scores of several reviewers.

The highest scoring abstracts will be considered for oral presentation at WOCNext. Authors of top-ranking abstracts will be invited to present their findings during a General Session. Those top scoring abstracts not chosen for an oral presentation will still be considered for poster presentations.

All abstracts are reviewed for compliance with the above instructions.

NO CONTACT HOURS WITH POSTERS: No Contact Hours with Posters

All posters in the meeting abstract site/displayed in the Poster Hall at WOCNext 2027 will be Non-ANCC Contact Hour posters. This means that no ANCC Contact Hours will be awarded for any abstracts/posters in 2027.

ABSTRACT SCORING

Abstract Scoring

The abstract reviewers will use the following criteria to score each abstract:

Research Abstracts

Problem (or Knowledge Gap) and need for study
Purpose/Aim(s)/Research Question(s)
Study Design
Methods (includes Analysis)
Results – final (and not preliminary) results with statistical significance as appropriate
Conclusion(s)
Abstract is submitted to the appropriate abstract category.

Practice Innovation Abstracts

Topic or problem and need for innovation/change
Purpose of the Innovation/Objectives
Process – steps of the innovative practice change or program to solve the practice problem/topic are clearly described and well thought out clearly, and the outcome(s) used to evaluate success
Outcomes – completed outcomes that evaluated success (or failure) of the practice innovation change/program are specific, measurable, and clearly reported
Conclusion(s)
Abstract is submitted to the appropriate abstract category.

Case Series Abstracts

Statement of the Clinical Problem/Challenge
Description of Past Management
Solution/Clinical Treatment Approach
Clinical Outcomes in measurable terms
Conclusion(s)
Abstract is submitted to the appropriate abstract category.

Literature Review

Objective/Question for review and relevance to WOC nursing
Type of review: Scoping, narrative/integrative, systematic review with or without meta-analysis, umbrella (review of other reviews) or of qualitative research only
1. No other review types such as bibliometric, mapping, or rapid reviews will be accepted.
Methods: Information sources, search limits, study eligibility, number of reviewers, use of any standard guidelines/ checklists
Results: Number studies yielded by search, final number of studies (must be at least 5) included in review, type of studies reviewed (e.g., only RCTs) and synthesis of main results
1. Systematic reviews/meta-analyses should include summary of risk of bias
2. Meta-analyses should include summary of risk of bias, summary measures and confidence intervals, and direction of effects as relevant
Conclusion(s) – conclusion based on interpretation of findings, summary of strengths and limitations of evidence, implications for WOC nursing
Abstract is submitted to the appropriate abstract category.

ABSTRACT PRESENTATION FORMATS

Abstract Presentation Formats

If the abstract is chosen for oral presentation, only the primary author will make the presentation. Oral presentations must be made in-person. Selection of oral presentations will be communicated to authors well in advance of the date of the Abstracts General Session, which will take place on Tuesday, June 15, 2027, from 9:40 AM – 11:00 AM.

ePoster Presentations

All abstracts will be presented in electronic format (ePoster) with each author being able to choose to also present their work in a traditional hard copy format. At the time of acceptance, the author must declare their intent to also present in a traditional hard copy format.

Click here for more information on creating an ePoster.

The 2027 ePoster guidelines are coming soon.

POSTER REVIEW

Poster Review

Posters will be reviewed by the WOCN^® Society National Conference Abstract Chair/designee and judges. Infractions that violate these published guidelines could result in a poster being temporarily altered or even removed from display. Please follow the guidelines carefully to avoid these scenarios. The 2027 ePoster guidelines are coming soon.

Merit Awards

All submitted abstracts undergo a rigorous peer review process to determine acceptance for presentation at the conference. The top scoring posters in each category are then peer reviewed during the event to determine Merit Award winners for the categories of Case Series, Practice Innovation, and Research. Merit Awards will be announced during the Abstracts General Session on Tuesday, June 15, 2027, from 9:40 AM – 11:00 AM.

If an abstract is accepted for poster presentation, specific information about layout, including a tutorial on poster layout/development will be available post notification of acceptance.

At least one author must register to attend WOCNext 2027 by Monday, March 15, 2027.

NEED MORE HELP?: Need More Help?

Sometimes novices and other authors may have difficulty assimilating ideas into the abstract/poster format. WOCN will connect those who may desire some support by connecting them with seasoned abstract/poster authors to review the abstract/poster content in progress or to answer questions. If interested in this opportunity, please send an email to abstracts@wocn.org. Please be sure to indicate what area in which you are seeking assistance: 1) development of content, 2) turning content into a poster, 3) distilling the story, or 4) something else. Kindly note: Taking advantage of any mentoring opportunity does not guarantee abstract acceptance of any work for the WOCNext 2027 abstract program.

Questions?