Peer Review Process of Association of Health Care Professionals (AHCP)

Association of Health Care Professionals (AHCP) conferences have a rigorous peer-review process and strict assessment criteria for the selection of abstracts. The process is managed by the Joint Scientific Program Committee (JSPC) and involves an international panel of expert reviewers to ensure high scientific quality and relevance. 

Review and Selection Process

• Reviewer Assignment: All submitted abstracts are assigned to reviewers who are experts in the specific topic. A minimum number of reviews (at least four in some cases) are required for a given topic to guarantee a well-rounded and extensive evaluation.

• Scoring System: Reviewers use a scoring system (e.g., on a scale of 1 to 8) to evaluate abstracts based on specific criteria.

• Coordination and Discussion: A coordinating reviewer is responsible for identifying discrepancies in scoring and organising discussions among reviewers. Zoom Meetings are held to review scores and select abstracts for the program.

• Final Decision: The final selection and allocation (e.g., for oral presentation, poster presentation) are made by the SPC and its Advisory Board during a dedicated meeting.

• Confidentiality and Originality: Submissions are expected to be original scientific material, unpublished at the time of submission (with specific exceptions for certain international meetings or updated analyses with significant new data). 

Assessment Criteria

Abstracts are evaluated and scored primarily on their scientific merits, which include: 

Significance and Impact: The potential importance of the research findings.

Novelty and Originality: The extent to which the work presents new and unique insights.

Appropriateness of Methods: The soundness of the research design and methodology.

Quality of Data: Abstracts must include primary new data (except for "Trials in Progress" abstracts).

Adherence to Guidelines: Abstracts must follow specific submission guidelines regarding structure (e.g., Introduction, Objectives, Methods, Results, Conclusion), character limits, and image specifications. 

This robust process ensures that the AHCP conferences present high-quality, valid, and significant research to the international medical and healthcare community. 

AHCP Joint Events Committee

December 1930, updated in December 2000. 

For more information, please contact: conferences@santamariacollege.org.uk