ACCME Guidelines for Compliance
Please view before proceeding
When is the submission deadline?
The abstract submission deadline is Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 8:00 pm US Central Time.
How do I submit an abstract?
Go directly to the 2024 CNS Annual Meeting Abstract Center.
CNS Members: Log in to the abstract center using your CNS Account email and password. You may reset your password if you forgot it by clicking on “Forgot your password”. Please contact education@cns.org if you need assistance with your login.
Non-members: If you have ever created a CNS non-member account, you may already have a username and password. Please try logging in with any possible email addresses that might have been used. If you forgot your password, use the Forgot Password link to reset it. If you are experiencing login issues with your CNS account or would like to verify your credentials, please contact education@cns.org for assistance.
If you are not a member and have never used the abstract center before, you can simply create an account by clicking on the blue “Create an Account” button.
Can I submit more than one abstract?
There is no limit to the number of abstracts you may submit.
All abstracts submitted must be original science, not previously presented as peer-reviewed original science at any other regional, national, or international scientific conference. Prior presentation by students/trainees at local research symposia is acceptable.
What are the presentation formats?
Abstracts presented as part of the CNS Annual Meeting Scientific Program are comprised of four distinct abstract presentation formats: Oral Presentation, Mini Oral Poster, Printed Poster Presentation, and Digital Only.
Final abstract presentation format will be at the discretion of the Scientific Program Committee.
- Oral Presentations are selected from the highest ranked abstracts from each neurosurgical subspecialty for podium presentation in scientific sessions.
- Mini Oral Posters are selected from highly ranked abstracts and will be presented as 3-minute podium presentations during the Interactive Poster Presentation Session. Each is accompanied by a physical poster which is printed and hung by the CNS.
- Printed Posters are selected from highly ranked abstracts and are printed and hung by the CNS. They are displayed during the Interactive Poster Presentation Session, during which poster judges will review the work and present awards. There is no podium presentation associated with this format, but authors are encouraged to attend the session to discuss their work with the audience informally.
- Digital Only will be created in the CNS Poster Site and will be displayed electronically on multiple screens in the CNS Xperience Lounge during open exhibit hall hours. There is no podium presentation associated with this format.
All abstracts that are accepted, regardless of format, will automatically be converted to a digital poster to be displayed in the Digital Abstract Gallery located in the exhibit hall (open Mon-Wed). Authors will have an opportunity to edit and enhance their digital poster in the Poster Submission Center before the deadline of July 22, 2024. Further instructions to follow.
How can I apply for an award?
Once logged in to the Abstract Center, select the "General Information" tab. Choose the award for which you would like to apply (view the list of abstract awards). Description and qualifications are listed.
You may apply for the following for each abstract:
- One subspecialty award
- CNS Resident Award
How can I add authors?
Search the database for author names on the "Authors" tab. If the authors are not in the database, select “Add a New Author.” Once the abstract submission window closes on May 14, 2024, you will not be able to add or delete authors.
What information is required?
- Title
- Track
- Author(s)
- Abstract (300-word maximum) separated into:
- Introduction
- Objective
- Methods
- Results
- Conclusion
Can I add images to my abstract?
Up to five images may be attached to your submission. Acceptable file formats are JPG, JPEG, and PNG. Images cannot be in PDF format.
Can I edit my abstract once it has been submitted?
Edits can be made until the Abstract Center submission deadline on May 14, 2024. Edits may include changing the title, adding or deleting authors, or changing the abstract body. Once the review process begins, no changes to the submissions are allowed. Typographical or spelling errors, improperly formatted titles, etc., will not be edited by anyone at the CNS. It is the responsibility of the submitter to review and verify all work submitted. After making changes to an abstract, remember to resubmit the abstract even if previously submitted in order to save the updated version.
All titles should be in “Title-case Format” with the first letter of each major word capitalized. Smaller conjunction or article words such as “in, of, on, a, for” should be in lower case.
Example: Current Surgeon Opinions Concerning the Indications for Surgery in Metopic Craniosynostosis
Who will review the abstracts?
All abstracts are blindly reviewed by a committee of qualified neurosurgeons.
When will I be notified of the results?
Notifications of the Abstract Selection Committee's decision will be emailed at the end of June to the presenting authors of all abstracts, regardless of the outcome.
ACCME Guidelines for Compliance
Your abstract and/or poster will be reviewed for compliance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education.
Below are lists of guidelines to assist you in developing the highest quality educational content and materials. These guidelines also ensure compliance to the CNS’ CME Policies.
Before submitting to the 2024 CNS Annual Meeting Abstract Center, please review the following to ensure compliance.
You may be required to edit your submission if it is found to be noncompliant with these standards:
- ACCME and HIPAA Compliance - All individual identifiable health information regarding a client or patient must be sufficiently edited or modified to ensure HIPAA compliance.
- Standard 1: Ensure Content is Valid
- Presentations must give a balanced view of therapeutic options. All recommendations for patient care must be based on current science, evidence, and clinical reasoning.
- New and evolving topics must be clearly identified in the presentation slides.
- Standard 2: Prevent Commercial Bias and Marketing in Accredited Continuing Education
- Faculty must not promote or sell products or services that serve their professional or financial interest during accredited education.
- Presentations must be free of commercial bias for or against any company, product, drug, or device.
- Educational materials (slides, abstracts, handouts, videos, and photos) must not include:
- Ineligible companies’ corporate or product logos
- Company, product, drug, or device brand/trade names (Use generic names)
- If brand/trade names are listed, there MUST be at least two (2) other names listed to avoid the perception of bias.
- If only one is listed, it must be proven the ONLY or the BEST product, device, or drug available.
- All logos or brand names visible in photos or videos must be completely covered.
- Product promotional material
Clinical Neurosurgery
Abstracts selected for Oral Presentations, Mini Oral Posters, and awards are published in Clinical Neurosurgery. Please note that figures, tables, references, and honorary US degrees are removed from the abstracts prior to publication in Clinical Neurosurgery.
DISCLOSURES
Disclosure information will only be required of those whose abstracts are selected for presentation at the 2024 CNS Annual Meeting. Disclosures will not be required at the time of abstract submission.
The CNS is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). We appreciate your help in partnering with us to follow accreditation guidelines and help us create high-quality education independent of industry influence. To participate as a person in control of the educational content of this accredited CE activity, we ask that all invited planners, faculty, and speakers disclose all financial relationships with any ineligible companies* that you have had over the past 24 months.
ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education require providers to mitigate relevant financial relationships to prevent commercial bias and disclose the presence or absence of all relevant financial relationships to learners prior to the activity.
According to Standard 3.2 of the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, “Owners and employees of ineligible companies must be excluded from controlling content or participating as planners or faculty in accredited education”.
In compliance with the ACCME standards, please note the following CNS policies.
- The Presenting Author of any accepted abstract /poster cannot be employed by an ACCME defined Ineligible Company*.
- Employees of commercial interests are prohibited from having any role in the planning or implementation of CME activities related to the Ineligible Company’s business lines or products.
*An ineligible company is any whose primary business is producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care products used by, on patients. The ACCME does not consider providers of clinical service directly to patients to be commercial interests. A commercial interest is not eligible for ACCME accreditation or participation in Joint Providership.
Content Without Commercial Bias
The CNS must ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its educational activities. It is an ACCME requirement that audiences at educational programs for which continuing medical education hours are awarded be informed of a presenter’s academic and professional affiliations, and the existence of any significant financial interest or other relationship an author or co-author has with the manufacturer(s) of any commercial product(s) or services. Any such relationship must be disclosed.
In accordance with ACCME standards, please note that the presenter of any accepted abstract cannot be employed by a commercial interest. Employees of commercial interests are prohibited from having any role in the planning or implementation of CME activities related to the commercial interest’s business lines or products.