Q: I don’t have a login for the website what do I do?
A: You will need to follow the instructions on the submission homepage and create a new account. The information will NOT be your CORD login. If you would like to submit a CPC case and are not a member representative or coordinator, please create a new account. This process will provide you with your own username and password and allow you to proceed with completing the submission form. There is no cost involved.
Q: Does the $400 CPC Registration Fee include conference registration or do I need to register separately?
A: No, the CPC Registration Fee does not include the registration to the conference; you will need to register separately.
Q: In what format should I submit the file? (PC, Mac, PowerPoint 2010 or later.)
A: The files will be viewed using PowerPoint 2010 on a Windows-based computer using the Screen Show feature. The Presentation mode, where the speaker can view his/her notes and the audience views the entire slide, is not allowed. The speaker can bring his/her own notes to use during the presentation.
Q: Does the final presentation have to be in PowerPoint form, or can another program be used?
A: Yes. The final presentation must be in PowerPoint.
Q: When submitting my slides I am getting an error that says my files are too large, what can I do?
A. There are a few things you can do to decrease your file size and upload your presentation:
If you have tried all of the above and the file is still too large, please upload your file to a file-sharing service (i.e. Google Drive, DropBox). Get the sharing link to your slides and add this link to a one-slide PowerPoint presentation. Upload this presentation with the link with your submission. Staff will download your PowerPoint presentation. **We cannot accept a file larger than 20 MB even with the google link. If your file is larger than 20 MB we cannot accept it and you will have to compress your images or media files for submission. There are several options to compress images free online or with graphic software.
Q: My presentation has many "transitions" within the same slide. For instance, if a slide has 6 bullet points, I have it set up so that they each show up one at a time and I have to click to get the next line to show up. Sometimes a line of text or an image bounces onto the screen. But I do not have any embedded video/audio/animations. Is this allowed?
A: Yes. Any features that are within PowerPoint are allowed. Embedded video is only allowed for imaging test results. Embedded Video/Audio for entertainment is NOT allowed. Hyperlinks to the web are not allowed.
Q: PowerPoint has a feature that allows me to write notes at the bottom of each slide and then views those notes during the presentation while the slide is shown on the full screen. Can I utilize this feature during the presentation?
A: No, presentation notes are not allowed.
Q: One of the procedures used to make the diagnosis in the ED was an Ultrasound, can I include the US video in the presentation?
A: Yes! Embedded video of imaging studies is now allowed! The video MUST be embedded into your PowerPoint presentation.
Q: What do I need to submit? Can I just submit my presentation?
A: You have to submit 2 files- "Presentation Slides" and "Outcome Slides". The Presentation Slides would consist of the history, physical exam and lab/test results appropriate for the case. The "Outcome Slides" would consist of slides that state the ED course with subsequent diagnosis and hospital course/case outcome in addition to a brief discussion of the actual diagnosis (not a differential diagnosis).
Q: Once we submit our case are we allowed to alter our slides if selected?
A: Once the case is submitted, they cannot alter the content in the presentation slides i.e. information given in the presentation slides such as the history, physical exam, labs, test results. They can add/change content on their outcome slides. You will be allowed to change the content of the "Outcome" slides, but not the "Presentation" slides..i.e. you cannot change points on history, exam, tests revealed in the Presentation slides. You can, however, change the color, font, pictures, etc to the Presentation slides.
Q: Can I include my University’s colors and logo in my presentation?
A: The final presentations (resident presenter intro and conclusion slides and faculty discussant presentations) may contain identifying information such as University colors, logo, pictures of the city and/or presenter, etc. Please do not include identifying information in the initial case presentation slides (resident presenter files used in the preliminary round of the competition).
Q: Do I need to include a References or Bibliography page in my presentation?
A: See excerpts from Educational Media Fair Use Guidelines below
Q: Can I include pictures or images I find on the web in my presentation? Should I worry about copyright issues?
A: See excerpts from Educational Media Fair Use Guidelines below
Q: What happens if I don’t submit the presentation by the deadline?
A: Preliminary Round: Your case will not be reviewed and your program will not compete in this year's competition.
A: Final Presentation Submissions: The penalty will be a point deduction from your score in the semi-final presentation
Q: I submitted my final presentation before last week’s deadline but today while I was practicing, I noticed a typo, can I resubmit my presentation?
A: Send your request to the administrative staff and we will do our best to make changes to the file you already submitted while collating it in with the other files in your division; you are not allowed to resubmit your presentation once the deadline has passed.
Q: What do you mean when you say: "Resident Presenters: The final version of your case presentation must not include any additional content information that was not provided in your initial presentation."
A: The Initial Case Presentation file you submit is exactly what the Faculty Discussant reviews and is the basis for his or her entire presentation. If the slides in your final presentation include additional clinical information that was not provided in the initial submission, you will be disqualified from winning the competition.
Q: Can I submit my CPC Case to an academic journal other than Academic Emergency Medicine?
A: Yes. However, the case must be submitted after it was presented at the competition. Having your case submitted and/or published prior to the competition will immediately disqualify the case for presentation.
Q: I am a Medical Student, can I submit a case for the CPC Competition?
A: The competition is for residents currently enrolled in a residency training program only.
Q: Can my program submit more than one case to the CPC Competition?
A: Each program is allowed to submit only one case. If there is a dual residency program in addition to the categorical EM program at your institution i.e. Combined EM/IM, they can submit a separate case.
Q. Do CPC cases have to be ED presentations seen by the resident presenter?
A. CPC cases should be ED cases, with the possible diagnosis being made in the ED. Submitting cases that the resident presenter saw in the ED is always encouraged, but not always possible (due to graduations, etc). Submission of another resident's ED case is acceptable in these circumstances.
Q. My resident presenter is a senior resident who will still be a resident during the semi-final competition but will have graduated when its time for the semi-finals, how does this work?
A. We actually prefer for senior residents not to present at the Semi-Final Competition because if the senior resident wins, the resident will not be able to present at the Final Competition. The same resident is expected to present at the Semi-Final and the Final Competition (unless an emergency occurs, etc.) Hence, it is best to have either a PGY 2 or PGY 1 present (in a PGY 1-3 program).
Q: Can I use my personal computer or flash drive on the day of the competition?
A: No you must use the computer provided at the competition.
Q: Do I need to register for the conference in order to compete in the CPC?
A: No, you are welcome to attend any or all of the CPC Competition at no additional cost. You must register for the conference if you would like to attend any of the other areas.
Q: Can I bring guests to watch me present? Is there any extra fee to attend the CPC Competition?
A: There is no extra fee to attend the CPC Competition and guests are welcome.
Q: When will the schedule be made available?
A: Approximately one week prior to competition day.
Q: Do we need to check in anywhere or be at the conference by a certain time?
A: Just be in your assigned room in time to present at your scheduled time.
Q: I definitely will not be able to arrive in town until the morning of the competition; can you please schedule my presentation for the afternoon?
A: No. All participants (faculty discussants and resident presenters) are asked to be available from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm on Day One and from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm on Day Two of the competition, there are 144 participants in the CPC Semi-Final Competition and a lot of people ask for schedule accommodations; because the resident presenter and faculty discussant presentations are dependent upon each other, individual schedule requests are not accommodated. If there is a chance that you will not be available in person at the competition, please find a replacement from your program to fill in for you if indeed you are not able to present.
Q: My program will not reimburse more travel accommodations than absolutely necessary, can you tell me what time I am scheduled to present so I can make arrangements accordingly?
A: No. All participants (faculty discussants and resident presenters) are asked to be available from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm on Day One and from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm on Day Two of the competition, there are 144 participants in the CPC Semi-Final Competition and a lot of people ask for schedule accommodations; because the resident presenter and faculty discussant presentations are dependent upon each other, individual schedule requests are not accommodated. If there is a chance that you will not be available in person at the competition, please find a replacement from your program to fill in for you if indeed you are not able to present.
Q: Is it mandatory to attend the Awards Banquet? Can I bring a guest?
A: It is not mandatory to attend the Awards Banquet, if you win, we will notify you via email. You can bring as many guests as you like to the Awards Banquet which generally includes dry snacks and a cash bar.
Q: I have had a last-minute family emergency, the competition is next week and I am not able to attend. What can I do about finding a replacement?
A: We strongly suggest that both Resident Presenters and Faculty Discussants identify a backup person, either a resident or faculty member at the same institution, who will be able to present in the event that you are unable to be at the competition. If an emergency arises and the scheduled discussant or presenter is not able to present at the competition and a backup from that institution is not located in time, the judging team leader will present the slides to the best of his/her ability on the day of the competition.
Q: I am a Faculty Discussant and I have a question about the file I received, can you send me contact information for the Resident Presenter so I can talk to him/her?
A: No. The CPC Competition is completely anonymous. For the most part, do your absolute best at making a determination from the information provided. If you still have a question, forward it to the competition administrator and s/he will contact the resident presenter, ask the question, and get back to you with a response.
Q: I am a Faculty Discussant, are there any limitations as to whom I can show my case slides to and get advice from?
A: You are allowed to use whatever resource you would like in order to reach the diagnosis without trying to find out the source program, name of patient, ED provider, etc.
Q: I’m a Faculty Discussant and after just completing my presentation at the competition, the Resident Presenter’s presentation included more information than was given to me in the original file. I.e. The file that was given to me did not include lab results, I developed my presentation and the diagnosis based on the information that was provided. Now, on the day of the competition, the resident presented a file that did include lab results. What happens?
A: Please notify the CPC Competition Chairperson as soon as possible, hopefully before the end of the competition day. If this is the case, the resident will be disqualified from winning the competition.
Q: I am currently a fellow and I serve as Junior Faculty for my program, can I participate in the CPC competition as my program's faculty discussant?
A: Yes. As long as the Faculty Discussant for the program also serves in the role of Junior EM Faculty, they may participate
CPC Semi-Final Competition
Q: I have had a last-minute family emergency, the competition is next week and I am not able to attend. What can I do about finding a replacement?
A: We strongly suggest that the Faculty Discussant identify a backup person, who is faculty at the same residency program, who will be able to present in the event that you are unable to be at the competition. If an emergency arises and the scheduled presenter is not able to present at the competition and a backup from that institution is not located in time, the judging team leader will present the slides to the best of his/her ability on the day of the competition.”
CPC Final Competition
Q: I know that I will not be able to present as the Faculty Discussant at the upcoming CPC Final Competition. What should I do?
A: We strongly suggest that the Faculty Discussant identify a backup person, who is a faculty member at the same residency program, who will be able to present in the event that you are unable to be at the competition. If the faculty discussant cannot identify a replacement faculty member from their program, they should notify the CORD office immediately. In that situation, the CORD office will contact the Faculty Discussant Runner-Up from the CPC Semi-Final Competition to be the faculty discussant at the CPC Final Competition.
Q: I have been selected as a judge and now my program has been selected to participate in the competition, can I participate as a Faculty Discussant and still serve as a judge?
A: No. Once you are selected as a judge and begin scoring cases during the preliminary round, you are disqualified from participating as a Faculty Discussant.
Q: I’m a judge and after looking over the schedule I realize that the program where I completed my residency is presenting in the division where I am scoring. I do not know the presenter or faculty personally but do have a fondness for this program. What should I do?
A: If you feel that your scoring of any particular program’s presentation(s) would not be fair, please recuse yourself from judging that presentation and their final score will be averaged using the scores from the other judges.
Q: If I am going to CORD Academic Assembly just to judge the CPC Competition but not attending any other Academic Assembly events, should I Still register for the entire conference?
A: You do not need to register for CORD Academic Assembly if you are only going to attend the CPC Competition.