For Authors

Original Research includes biomedical, clinical, educational or policy research that has not been previously published. Articles undergo a peer review process by members of the editorial board and others with expertise in the field addressed in the research.

IRB Approval and Informed Consent – For all manuscripts reporting data from studies involving human participants or animals, formal review and approval (or waiver) must be obtained from an institutional review board or ethics committee and should be described in the METHODS section. For studies involving human subjects, also state in the METHODS section how informed consent was obtained from the participants, whether oral or written.

Length: 3000 words (12 manuscript pages), not including abstract, references, tables, figures or boxes.

References: Up to 25.

Tables/Figures/Boxes: Up to 5.

Abstract: Include a structured abstract, not exceeding 250 words, introducing the problem considered, research methods, results and conclusions. Use complete sentences, and do not cite references in the abstract. For an example of a structured abstract, click here.

Review Articles provide a systematic, in-depth analysis of the available literature on a specific clinical, educational or public health topic, with an emphasis on evidence-based research. They should include discussion of any differences of opinion or unresolved issues, and must be up-to-date with references.

Length: 4000 words (16 manuscript pages), not including abstract, references, tables, figures or boxes.

References: No more than 50.

Tables/Figures/Boxes: Up to 3.

Abstract: Include an abstract, not to exceed 250 words, structured into five (5) sections:

1. Introduction: Briefly describe the question or issue and its importance to clinical practice or public health.
2. Objective: State the primary objective of the review. Include information about the specific population, treatment, outcome, or other topic being reviewed.
3. Methods: Describe how evidence was acquired, including data sources, search methods, time period searched, and other relevant information about the review process.
4. Results: Report the major findings of the review in an objective, evidence-based manner.
5. Conclusions: Explain how the evidence answers the question or issue raised, and how clinicians can apply this knowledge.

Case Reports can include either a single case or a case series that addresses unusual manifestations of common problems or unusual or rare occurrences in the clinical setting. Case reports should contain sufficient clinical information and unique details for readers to understand the case itself, provide a thoughtful review of how the case fits into the context of the problem being addressed, and should make clear how the case report adds to the medical literature.

Informed Consent: If images or data in a case report manuscript could be used to identify a patient, a signed statement of informed consent to publish (in print and online) should be obtained. This should be indicated in the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT section of the manuscript.

Length: 2000 words (8 manuscript pages), not including abstract, references, tables, figures or boxes.

References: Up to 15.

Tables/Figures/Boxes: Up to 3.

Abstract: Include an abstract, not to exceed 150 words, structured into four (4) sections:

1. Introduction: Tell why this case is important and needs to be reported.
2. Case presentation: Give brief details of what the patient presented with, including the patient’s age, sex, and ethnic background.
3. Discussion: Provide a brief review of similar published cases.
4. Conclusion: Explain what the reader should learn from the case report and what the clinical impact will be.

Additional guidelines for writing case reports can be found here.

Brief Reports are for presenting the results of local demonstration projects, pilot studies or preliminary research. Included in this category are Health Innovations submissions—reports that showcase the outcomes of initiatives and interventions being tested in clinical and community settings to improve health care quality and delivery, patient safety and satisfaction, and cost efficiency. Consideration is given to the originality of the intervention or initiative, potential to inform others and ability to replicate the results.

Length: 1500 words (6 manuscript pages), not including abstract, references, tables, figures or boxes.

References: Up to 10.

Tables/Figures/Boxes: Up to 3.

Abstract: Include an abstract, not to exceed 120 words, stating objectives, process used, and outcome:

1. Background: Definition of problem that intervention/initiative is meant to address, i.e., “Why we did this.”
2. Methods: Description of initiative/intervention and how it was implemented.
3. Results: Outcomes, with data (preliminary results of pilot projects are acceptable).
4. Discussion: Lessons learned and implications.

Commentaries are meant to provide an in-depth overview of an area of clinical medicine, policy or education that the WMJ Editor and the Editorial Board have chosen to highlight. These are generally solicited, but on occasion are published from submissions. Commentaries should be 700 to 1500 words (3 to 6 pages) and may include up to 15 references.

As I See It is a section of WMJ for original essays or stories that relate to medical practice, education or biomedical research. The author should be sure that the topic area would be of interest to WMJ readers. The length should reflect the essay, but not exceed 900 words or 4 pages. References are not required.

Letters should be addressed to the WMJ Editor and, when commenting on published content, should include the correct reference. Letters should not exceed 400 words or 2 pages, and may include up to 5 references.

Editorials are solicited rather than submitted, and relate to content in a specific issue of WMJ. Word count should be 700 to 900 words (3 to 4 pages).