Theme

For this year’s conference theme, we are breaking barriers and charting a course “Beyond Barriers: Navigating the Future for Sustainable Healthcare “.

Health systems worldwide are currently facing significant challenges that impact healthcare affordability, access and sustainability. These encompass a range of factors, such as political dynamics, increased competition from non-traditional players, workforce shortages, the effects of climate change, geopolitical influences and the changing demands for new capabilities.

This complex landscape has sparked increased discourse on strategies and insights into how organisations can build sustainable and resilient health systems.

The theme seeks to highlight the strategies through which health systems can achieve environmental sustainability, social accountability and financial stability.

Topics

We would like to invite you to submit your abstracts, based on the topics outlined below.

Guidelines

Further details and guidelines for the paper are as follows:

• Papers must be submitted in Word format (only).
• Executive summary (200-250 words)
• Make 1-inch margins on the top, bottom, and sides.
• Use Arial font, size 12.
• 1.5 spacing throughout the entire paper.
• Referencing to be excluded from the word count.
• Tables, graphs, and appendices can be submitted.
• Minimum 2000 words.
• Maximum 2500 words. This includes an executive summary.
• Submit the first draft to the peer reviewer on or before 08 March 2024

Referencing

• The authors should use a Harvard referencing style throughout the paper. Kindly see the link below for assistance in Harvard referencing: http://www.citethisforme.com/harvard-referencing
• Authors are advised to download Mendeley or Zotero for assistance in managing their references.

Presentation

• The BHF will have their annual conference from 5 May to 8 May 2024.
• Authors will be required to do presentations of their papers at the conference.
• The author will be required to submit the presentation by 24 April 2024.

Posters

• All accepted papers will be promoted at the Annual BHF Conference from 5 May to 8 May 2024 by means of printed A3 posters, which will be physically displayed throughout the venue.

Best Paper Titanium Awards

Please also note that as part of this process, all papers will be nominated for ‘best paper Titanium Awards’, please take note of the criteria stated below:

• Is the paper relevant?
• Does it address the intended topic?
• Does this paper add new knowledge?
• Are key concepts introduced and explained clearly?
• Are methods and assumptions explained clearly?
• Are there clear conclusions and recommendations?
• Is the paper well-written and well-structured?
• Does the paper have enough substance?
• Consistency in referencing
• Is the technical approach sound and well-chosen?
• Can one trust the claims of the paper — are they supported by proper background and evaluation (with the target users, when appropriate)?
• Title: Is the paper appropriate for its title?
• Problems addressed: Does it describe what the author hoped to achieve accurately, and clearly state the problem being investigated?
• Executive Summary: Does the executive summary provide sufficient detail on the paper?
• Introduction: Is the introduction appropriate? (The introduction should summarize relevant research to provide context, and explain what other authors’ findings are, if any)
• Background: Does the paper present relevant work?
• Alternative views/perspectives: Does it provide one or more perspectives against which to contrast this paper?
• Major difficulties/shortcomings: Does it describe the limitations and major obstacles found during the process?
• Open research avenues: Does it explain the future perspectives that the work opens?

For any questions, kindly contact Lesley Mogano at lesleym@bhfglobal.com or 011 537 0271