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Publishing in Medical Journals

Publishing in Medical Journals. Richard Saitz MD, MPH Section of General Internal Medicine, BMC Professor of Medicine & Epidemiology, BUSM and BUSPH Associate Director, Office of Clinical Research.

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Publishing in Medical Journals

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  1. Publishing in Medical Journals Richard Saitz MD, MPH Section of General Internal Medicine, BMC Professor of Medicine & Epidemiology, BUSM and BUSPH Associate Director, Office of Clinical Research Special thanks to Howard Bauchner, incoming JAMA editor, for connecting me with the BMJ Group and for sharing his talks and experience on this subject with me

  2. My background in publishing • As a researcher • 120 journal articles (not editorials, case reports, reviews of other articles) • As a writer • Book chapters, books • Article summaries and comment (JW) • As a peer reviewer • For several dozen journals • NB easy to get started and good experience

  3. My background in publishing • As an editor • Journal Watch (‘97-‘10) • Physicians’ First Watch (‘06-) • Mass Med Soc • Alcohol, Other Drugs & Health (‘04-) • Principles of Addiction Medicine • Evidence-Based Medicine (‘10-) • BMJ Group • Addiction Science & Clinical Practice (‘11-) • BioMed Central

  4. Why publish? • Forces you to organize thoughts • Product worthy of publication • To impact science • To impact clinical care • Recognition and satisfaction • Promotion

  5. Publish what? • Primary research article • Synthesis research article (systematic review, simulations) • Review article • Case report (and review) • Letter

  6. Choose the journal • What is the journal aim? What do they usually publish? Ask a knowledgeable colleague… • Is your paper of interest to their audience (generalist v. specialist)? • Journal prestige and impact? • Often cited in press? Web hits? Other impact? • Impact factor • # citations this year/articles in prior 2 years • NEJM-47.05; Annals Int Med 16.2; JAIDS 4.21 • Open access journals • Should you aim high? • Is your paper hot? Journal Finder http://scharrlibrary.blogspot.com/2009/07/cool-tool-2-journal-finder.html JANE http://biosemantics.org/jane/index.php

  7. Submitting • Instructions. Follow them. For the correct paper type. They (e.g. word limits) apply to your paper. • Authorship • The abstract • Paper structure • Use reporting guidelines • EQUATOR, CONSORT • Writing style (clear, brief, consistent) • Caution re: plagiarism, duplicate publication • Proofread! • Reviewer suggestions

  8. Plagiarism and duplicate publication • Plagiarism detectors • www.turnitin.com • www.ithenticate.com • www.doccop.com • eTBLAST ( http://etest.vbi.vt.edu/etblast3/ • http://www.plagiarismchecker.com/ • and the freeware which is listed in this Wikipedia article • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plagiarism_detection. • Editors search google, google scholar, CRISP/NIH Reporter, Medline, other databases.

  9. Abstract and paper • Abstract • A good one is critical. Structured. Clear. Concise. Minimize jargon and abbreviations. Conclusions related, in fact based on, results. • Paper • Introduction, methods, results, conclusions, references • Justify and state hypothesis/aim, method appropriate to aim, results related to aim, conclusions related to aim…

  10. Rejection without review • JAMA, BMJ – two-thirds • Why? • Wrong journal/audience • Low impact • Not original • Methods fatally flawed/results don’t support conclusions • Bad abstract

  11. Sent for review • By associate editor (who can also reject) • 1-3 reviewers, maybe statistical; from suggestions or lists or search • takes 1-3 months • Blinded vs unblinded review • Associate editor reviews and takes peer reviews into account • Makes recommendation to editor or editorial board member panel

  12. Decision: what is it? • “We regret to inform you that your paper is not acceptable for publication in its present form.” • A. Rejection • B. Revise and resubmit (major, minor) • C. Accepted with minor revision • D. Accepted

  13. (major or minor) “Revise and Resubmit” • Good news. • No guarantee (revision may shed light on fatal flaws) • Put the reviews in a drawer • Do what they ask…with grace—respectful disagreement iis fine but don’t argue • Reviewers may disagree: editor guides, or you choose • Cover letter: Follow instructions (format) and answer every query • Make changes in paper (long explanations not usually helpful)

  14. Acceptance • You aren’t finished • Proofs-read carefully and return quickly (examples) • Submission to PubMed Central (and review of formatting) • Tell the press (respect embargo) • Response to letters…

  15. Rejection after review • Consider major comments and revise • Appeals-not usually fruitful • Submit elsewhere

  16. Summary • Publishing is a good thing • It involves art and science—best to get guidance from someone with experience who will invest time in your writing product • Journal articles take years (to do studies, and then to write numerous drafts and then requested revisions) • Try it! But don’t underestimate… rsaitz@bu.edu

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