South West Society for Academic Primary Care Conference 2027

Connecting research, practice and communities – improving primary care together
An aerial view of Plymouth Hoe, showing Smeaton's Tower, Tinside Lido and a view of Mt. Edgecumbe

South West Society for Academic Primary Care Conference 2027

Connecting research, practice and communities – improving primary care together
Space is limited, so please register early to guarantee your place.
Registration will open in due course.

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    University of Plymouth

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The South West Society for Academic Primary Care Conference will take place at the University of Plymouth in 2027, hosted by the Community and Primary Care Research Centre, University of Plymouth Peninsula Medical School, Faculty of Health.
The conference will open at 12:00 on Tuesday 16th March and close at 14:00 on Wednesday 17th March. 
This year's theme, Connecting Research, Practice and Communities – Improving Primary Care Together, reflects our commitment to supporting the NHS vision of primary care as the cornerstone of neighbourhood health. By bringing together evidence-based, preventative and person-centred approaches, primary care has a pivotal role in addressing population health needs and reducing inequalities. Achieving these ambitions requires strong partnerships that bridge research, clinical practice and community experience. This conference will showcase and explore how big data, co-produced research and meaningful community engagement can support the development of more effective, equitable and sustainable primary care that addresses local need.
We will be delighted to receive abstracts from senior and early career researchers, educators, teachers and students, as well as individuals involved in service development and VCSEs, from the academic primary care community.
Abstract submission will open on Thursday 8th October, with conference registration to open in due course.
Conference features
  • Invited keynote speakers
  • Oral presentation sessions
  • Lightning presentation sessions
  • Poster presentation sessions
  • Workshops
  • Optional local visit 
  • Conference dinner at the National Marine Aquarium
  • Social programme 
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Abstract submission
The theme for the 2027 SW SAPC meeting is "Connecting research, practice and communities – improving primary care together".
We welcome applications for clinical, service improvement, development, workforce and educational research presentations at the conference.  
There are three types of abstract submission:
  • Oral presentations (standard and lightning) 
  • Posters 
  • Workshops
Oral presentations 
These will be clustered by topic into parallel sessions relating to the conference themes and are limited to 10 minutes in length, with up to 5 minutes for discussion, or 3 minutes for lightning talks with 2 minutes for discussion. 
We also encourage abstracts from medical students and others in training.
Poster presentations
We encourage poster submissions (A0 portrait). These will need to be printed so they can be displayed on boards throughout the conference.  Authors will have an opportunity to give a short (1 minute) introduction to their poster and take questions during an allocated time.
Workshops
These will be hour-long interactive sessions ideally on a topic, issue or method related to the conference theme. Preference will be given to those workshops that share skills or learning, demonstrate a method or work towards an output or outcome (e.g. editorial).
Abstracts for oral presentations, posters and workshops should be submitted according to the guidance below by 1pm on Monday 16th November 2026.
Authors of successful submissions will be informed by e-mail in January 2027.

Guidelines for submission
Abstracts will be assessed on the basis of originality, clarity of research question, appropriateness of study design, quality of study methods, and strength of results. Full guidance is available in our guidance document.
Work must not have been published in a peer-reviewed journal at the time of submission.
If the presentation is accepted, one of the authors must register to attend the conference and present the work.
Abstracts should be up to 300 words in length (excluding title and references) and should be structured as follows:
Title of presentation
A title which accurately describes the study.
Authors
The names of all authors with institutional affiliation(s).
Background/aims
A brief explanation of how the study developed from existing knowledge and literature (the problem being addressed).
Methods
A concise description of the methods used to conduct the study (what you have done).
Results
Where possible, please include key findings of the research. For studies in progress with results to follow, please indicate this, explaining your plans for data analysis. For service innovations, please provide a description of innovation/impact.
Discussion/Conclusions
This is an opportunity to explain why the findings or impact are of interest and importance, and implications they may have for practice or teaching.


N Abstract submission form

SAPC Prize 

One outstanding early career researcher will be awarded the SAPC prize including complimentary registration to the SAPC Annual Scientific Meeting 2027.
The prize winner will be the presenter and main author of the paper and should have no more than three years (whole time equivalent) research experience.

Event photography and video

Please be aware that some of the University of Plymouth's public events (both online and offline) may be attended by University staff, photographers and videographers, for capturing content to be used in University online and offline marketing and promotional materials, for example webpages, brochures or leaflets. If you, or a member of your group, do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please let a member of staff know.