I317 How to get your paper published. Brought to you by BJOG and the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics (IJGO)

Abstract

Come to our workshop to find out how to improve the chances of getting your paper published. The workshop will include advice on how to prepare your submission and structure your paper and also provide insights into what editors hate and what NOT to do. Find out what goes on behind the scenes in the Editorial Office and understand the initial checks that must be passed before your paper even reaches the Editor. Hear about the editorial and peer review processes, improve your understanding of publication ethics, good reporting guidelines and registering clinical trials. There will also be a chance to hear from the publishers -Wiley-Blackwell and Elsevier -about impact factors, the production process, author feedback and how widely your article will be distributed and accessed. I318Error reduction through the use of technology P. SteerAs Alexander Pope said almost 300 years ago, in his "essay on criticism", "to err is human, to forgive divine". In order to prevent mistakes, we must first accept that we all make them, and the correct response to an error is to examine our systems for delivering care, not automatically to blame the individual. When care delivery systems require the use of equipment, we need to make sure that the equipment is fit for purpose, and well maintained. Then we need to train staff effectively in its use. A key element in using equipment effectively is rehearsal of its use ("safety drills") with appropriate testing at regular intervals. Warnings of safe limits can be built-in, with feedback ranging from visual and auditory warnings to automatic correction. Automatic archiving of data facilitates retrospective evaluation in the case of poor outcomes ("the black box"). The interaction of humans with machines requires much greater study, so that we can begin to understand why highly competent people can still make tragic errors.