Phys ’27 Proposals

What You'll Need

The online submission form will prompt you to provide details in each of the following areas. You may wish to prepare your responses for these fields prior to beginning the online proposal submission process.

• Title of Session
• Your Contact Information (including name, email, phone number, and institution address) and the names of additional speakers/faculty to be part of the session.
• Topic Area (Academic/ Education, Research, Clinical or Administration)
• Intended Learning Objectives
• Learning Needs/ Professional Practice Gaps Addressed
• Intended Learning Objectives/ Outcomes (Must provide 3)
• Session Narrative, Timed Session Outline and Brief Session Description
• Intended Audience

Review Process & Criteria

The AAP's Program Committee will review all proposals after the deadline, March 23, 2026. Submission of a proposal does NOT guarantee acceptance. Proposals will be reviewed using the following criteria. The Program Committee will also consider factors such as timeliness of the subject matter, overlap with other sessions, and overall balance of all Annual Meeting education in making their selections.

• Inclusion of Best Practice Education characteristics
• Clear identification of learning outcomes derived from established needs
• Timeliness and broad interest to any/all of the three primary constituent audiences: physiatrists, researchers, and residents/ fellows/ medical students
• Value as core or standard knowledge/ practice in physiatry and/or its subspecialties
• Inclusion of pedagogical practices and audience engagement
• Accuracy of proposed title in representing the content being offered
• Match between experience level of the suggested audience and the depth and/or complexity of the content being proposed
• As appropriate, the attempt to include diverse faculty as proposed presenters
• Demonstration of scientific rigor, objectivity, and freedom of commercial bias for or against any product
• Speaking/ presentation experience of the proposed faculty
• Special consideration will be given to proposals incorporating innovative and interactive learning styles

Creating A Memorable Educational Session

• Find inspiration in TED Talks! Here are tips for giving a great presentation from a TED curator
• Review these tips on Elsevier Connect on how to give a dynamic scientific presentation.
  Build in active learning components, such as planned interactions or events that invite the participant to process, apply, interact and share experiences as part of the educational process
• Offer relevant and contextual information with takeaway concepts, skills, or best practices
• Use teaching strategies that involve the audience in problem solving, critical thinking, manipulation of materials, analysis, synthesis and evaluation of the information
• Emphasize the application of knowledge to practice, such as case-based learning opportunities, tips for immediate application in the practice setting, etc.
• Provide alternative learning endeavors, such as hands-on learning, role playing, etc.

Writing Effective Titles

• Make your title powerful and declarative - a bold statement that lets the audience know why they should attend your session
• Think about your session as a tangible object - what would you say if you were trying to sell this session? Your title should be formed in the same way
• Cater your title to your potential audience. Who is your audience? What would they need to hear to make them want to attend your session?
• Keep your title simple, clear and direct. Titles that are too long get passed over, at least at first

Writing Effective Session Descriptions

• Write for your target audience, their background, and the challenges they encounter
• Think about your session as a tangible object - what would you say if you were trying to sell this session? Your title should be formed in the same way
• Consider: Educational Format (will this session be a traditional didactic lecture, a panel discussion, a point-counterpoint debate, cases for the audience to solve, opportunities for audience interaction using audience response systems, etc.?), Educational Content (what topics will be covered in this session?), and Educational Value (why should participants attend this session? What will they learn and take away? What are the practical benefits of attending this session in terms of desired changes in the participant’s knowledge, competence, or performance on the job?)
• Length - keep your description to a maximum of 100 words
• Use active, present tense verse

Writing Learning Objectives

A learning objective is a statement that describes the knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes that participants will gain from the educational activity. The AAP is an accredited provider of continuing medical education (CME) by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and all CME programs are required to have learning objectives to guide the educational activity. Provide 3-5 learning objectives that:

• When developing objectives, ask these questions: What should the result of the educational activity be for participants? What should the participant be able to do? What should the participant know?
• Help identify intended results in terms of knowledge (facts and information) and competence (knowing how to do something)
• Lists each objective in measurable terms
  Make sure they complete this statement: “Upon completion of this learning activity, participants should be able to…”

The sparks of discovery, innovation, mentorship, leadership and collaboration ignite when our rich spheres of expertise and experiences intersect at the AAP’s Annual Meeting.

• A Strong & Supportive PM&R Community: AAP's Annual Meeting will help you foster meaningful and long-lasting relationships with physicians, educators, trainees and other professionals from all over the world. 96% of past attendees would recommend the AAP Annual Meeting to their colleagues!
• Network, Network, Network: Gain widespread exposure for your ideas and institution while advancing the specialty of physiatry.
• Share Education that Innovates: Be among presenters who are thought leaders that creatively challenge the way physiatrists conduct research, educate trainees and treat patients.
• Build Collaborations: Engage and collaborate with industry partners, subject experts and up-and-coming leaders to advance your professional goals.