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Opening day
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Submission deadline
The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) invites Best Practice Spotlight Organizations® (BPSOs®) to submit abstracts for the 2026 BPSO Knowledge Exchange Symposium, which will take place in Toronto on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. This hybrid event will convene BPSOs from across Ontario and internationally to celebrate implementation excellence, share evidence-based insights, and strengthen collective impact across all sectors and roles, including clinical practice, leadership, academia, research, and policy.
The Symposium is grounded in the shared belief that meaningful change is driven by people, sustained through practice, and demonstrated through impact.
This year’s program will reflect the theme: From capacity to impact: Building, implementing and measuring change, showcasing how organizations move from readiness and capability-building to measurable, sustainable outcomes.
Abstract submitters are encouraged to clearly articulate how their abstract aligns with theme.
What we’re looking for
Abstracts may highlight:
• Work aligned with RNAO Best Practice Guidelines (BPGs) or related toolkits
• Champion development and capacity-building strategies
• Local or system-level implementation initiatives
• Quality improvement and evaluation projects
• Measurement of outcomes and impact
• Innovations in practice or system design, including digital tools
• Interprofessional, cross-sector, or team-based collaboration
Selected submissions will represent:
• Sector diversity (academic, acute, community, long-term care, Ontario Health Teams (OHTs), primary care, public health)
• A range of clinical, system, leadership, and implementation perspectives
• Equity and inclusion across roles, populations, and geography
• Fit for limited hybrid-capacity rooms
Presentation Formats
Please indicate your preferred format; however, the planning committee reserves the right to assign the final format.
1. Concurrent session (15-minutes oral presentation + 5-minutes Q&A)
Ideal for projects with a fully developed narrative, including background, methods, implementation strategies, results, and lessons learned.
2. Rapid oral presentation (10-minutes)
A concise presentation suitable for innovations, early findings, or emerging work.
3. Poster display (6’x4’ - which will be displayed and available for all attendees to see)
Best for early-stage projects, focused initiatives, or visually driven work shared during facilitated poster sessions.
Note: Concurrent sessions and rapid oral presentations may feature hybrid livestreaming; posters will be an in-person display only. BPSOs are expected to bring their poster which will be mounted on a 6ft by 4ft poster board display. RNAO is not responsible for the cost of producing BPSO’s posters.
Abstract Categories
Abstract submitters must select one primary category:
1. Champions & capacity building
Focuses on how individuals and teams are developed, supported, and mobilized to lead evidence-based practice change. Topics may include:
• Champion engagement and sustainment strategies
• Leadership approaches that enable implementation
• Motivation, coaching, and mentorship
• Team-based and interprofessional capacity-building models
2. Implementation stories & digital tools
Centers on practical experiences of putting evidence into practice and adapting along the way. Topics may include:
• BPSO Implementation journeys and lessons learned
• Adaptations of BPGS to local context, population, or settings
• Digital tools or technologies that support BPG uptake and sustainability
• Barriers encountered and strategies used to address them
3. Evaluation & outcomes
Highlights how impact is measured, demonstrated, and sustained over time. Topics may include:
• Measuring clinical, experiential, operational, or workforce outcomes
• Evaluation approaches and data quality (qualitative and/or quantitative)
• Sustainability and spread of implementation efforts
• Using data to inform decisions and demonstrate change
Abstract structure (250–300 words; excluding title, authors and affiliations)
Your abstract must include:
1. Title (working title for presentation)
2. Authors (full name, credentials, role/title, organization, email, etc.)
3. Relevant BPG(s) or Toolkit(s) used
4. Background / Rationale
5. Aim / Purpose
6. Methods / Implementation Approach
7. Results / Outcomes
8. Lessons Learned & Implications for Practice
9. Presentation format (concurrent, rapid, poster)
Abstracts are limited to a maximum of six (6) co-authors per abstract. Up to two (2) in-person attendees per BPSO may attend the symposium (including presenters). Refer to your BPSO agreement for funding details.
Please note that the online abstract submission webform will not permit you to save an abstract that is longer than 300 words. Abstracts may also be assigned to a different presentation format than requested.
Submission requirements
• Abstract content word limit: 300 words
• Submission limit: A maximum of two (2) abstracts may be submitted per organization/OHT
• Collaborative submissions: Multi organization, co authored abstracts are welcome.
• Presenter requirements: All presenters must register for the Symposium.
• Format assignment: By submitting an abstract, authors agree to present in any format assigned by the planning committee.
• Language and accessibility: Use plain language and prioritize equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
• Submission language: Abstracts must be submitted in English.
• Completion requirements: Only fully completed presenter profiles and abstract submissions marked as Final will be reviewed. Please ensure all “Draft” submissions are finalized before the deadline.
