Predictors of publication by dietitians from conference abstracts presented at national conferences 2006-2009

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine predictors of publication of abstracts presented at the annual national conference of the Dietetic Association of Australia (DAA) in peer-reviewed journals. Methods: An online survey was distributed to authors of abstracts presented at DAA national conferences between 2006 and 2009 and collected demographic data, fate of the abstract and perceived enablers and barriers of publication. Publication for non-responders was determined by database searching. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between potential predictors and publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Results: Six hundred forty-eight abstracts were identified over the 4-year period. The response rate to the survey was 50%. Publication rate in a peer-reviewed journal for all abstracts was 26%. The main predictors of publication were presenting an oral versus a poster abstract (odds ratio (OR) 2.2 95% CI 1.5-3.2) and having an academic as a co-author (OR 6.9 95% CI 3.6-13.1). The main barriers to publication reported were lack of time and experience. Conclusions: The publication rate for dietetic abstracts is low despite the profession advocating for evidence-based practice and achieving competency as part of tertiary training programmes accredited by the Dietitians Association of Australia. Partnering with an academic appears be a useful strategy that dietitians might use to overcome the reported barrier of lack of skill.