Abstract Submission 2026 now open.
“United in Health, Connected by Care: Building Strong Primary Care Teams for Sustainable Health Care.”
The theme emphasises interprofessional collaboration, integrated service delivery, and evidence-based practice in primary healthcare settings, particularly within rural and underserved contexts. The Joint Congress is organised around the following sub-themes:
(a) Clinical practice and preventative care.
(b) Multidisciplinary practice and community-oriented primary care.
(c) Policy and health systems.
(d) Artificial intelligence and technology in rural health transformation.
(e) Climate change and global warming: impact on primary care.
Who should submit?
All Therapeutic Sciences, Health Professional, Nurses, Therapists, Psychologist, Community Health Works, Clinical Associates, Family Physicians, General Practitioners, Dentists, Rural Doctors, Medical Students, Medical Practitioners, Registrars, and other delegates are invited to submit abstracts [research or [non-research, what have you been doing] to be considered for an ePoster, Oral presentation, Panel discussion, “Fireside chat” workshop or even a plenary at the Congress.
Oral presentation and ePoster could include, case studies, formal research projects, ethical issues, highlighting service-related problems, Fireside chats are presented based on your story, informal and may be presented at a social event.
Workshop presentation should be very interactive and must include the participation of the delegates, so it needs to be either development a skill, group exercise to understand concepts\issues or strategic planning. [a series of oral presentation is not a workshop]
Abstracts should be short - not more than 300 words
If you think your presentation fulfils the criteria for ethics points, please give reasons. Person presenting at the conference should be the first name if there are several authors, and the contact details and biosketch should be for the person presenting the paper. Please only name the people that will be at the conference. Everyone apart from the 1st presenter should register as a delegate.
Abstracts using 250 -300 words only should be submitted in line with the theme and sub-themes identified and should be structured as follows:
Abstract submissions must include:
- Title: Clear and concise description of the research
- Authors and Affiliations: Names, institutions, and contact information
- Background/Introduction: Context and rationale for the study
- Methods: Study design, setting, population, data collection, and analysis methods
- Results: Key findings presented clearly and in detail
- Conclusions: Significance of findings for clinical practice, policy, or future research
- Keywords: Relevant terms for classification
- Ethical Approval: Confirmation of research ethics clearance where applicable
Abstract Categories:
Original Research
Educational Innovation
Community-Engaged Project and Participatory Action Research
Quality Improvement
Case Report and Reflective Practice
Evaluation Criteria
Abstracts shall be evaluated against the following standardised criteria. The criterion of Scientific Rigour shall be interpreted with reference to the methodological standards appropriate to the submission category, recognising that original research, educational innovations, community-engaged projects, quality improvement initiatives, and case reports each operate within distinct but equally valid methodological traditions.
Is there a clear background and justified objective?
Is the methodology/study design appropriate for the objectives?
Are the results important and clearly presented?
Do the results support the conclusions?
Is the study original, and does it contribute to the overall theme?
Adhere to research ethics principles, evidence of ethical approval where required
Click here for all details relating to the 2026 Abstract Submission Process.
Click here to submit your abstact for the 2026 Combined Congress.
Not sure if your topic fits our theme? Read about our streams below, and the details on the Information for Presenters page or contact us at abstracts@ruralhealthconference.org.za
Never presented before? Ask our team for help. Not sure if you will have funding? Please submit your abstract, there is place in the submission form to indicate you need funding confirmed. You only have to confirm attendance & payment once the abstract has been accepted.
The 4 streams
Every year, the Rural Health Conference is organised around four streams, covering the key facets of achieving the right to health for rural populations. The annual conference theme adds the particular focus for the presentations, discussions and keynote speakers which fall under each stream:
Rural Teams: Understanding our unique roles & shared responsibilities within the healthcare team is essential for delivering a comprehensive primary/district health care service and achieving universal health coverage. Rural healthcare workers often have the benefit of small teams and therefore unique opportunities for multidisciplinary learning and service delivery. Trans-disciplinary teamwork needs to begin at undergraduate level and continue through community service and afterward. Strong mentoring, supervision and leadership is needed for this to take place.
Health Systems Management & Policy: Wonderful health policies mean nothing unless they are translated into clear service packages in every province, with the resources to support their implementation.. Health systems management focuses on the budgeting and resources required for strengthening service delivery as well as governance structures, quality improvement measures and inter-sectoral partnerships. Strong management is vital for effective & efficient health care which narrows the service delivery gaps between urban & rural areas.
Community engagement & the voice of end users: community engagement relates to working with the community around the health facility as well as the Department of Health working with user groups, health advocates, alternative health workers, and the professional associations to identify the health issues, health needs, and professional solutions that can be offered to ensure Universal Health Care for all our citizens.
Clinical Practice: we need to translate policy into effective practice. This can be done by identifying: best practice models of service delivery, the gaps between policy & practice, and educating private practitioners in equity, DoH systems and DoH standard treatment guidelines with a view to the NHI.
We welcome abstracts of all types and from all members of the multidisciplinary team, students and NGOs. This is a rural conference so the presentation should be applicable to rural situations. Presenters are automatically registered for the conference at the "presenters" rate while waiting for the outcome of their abstract submission.
Types of Presentations
Fireside chats are presentations based on "your story" they are relatively informal and may be part of the formal programme or story telling during the social events.