Author Guidelines
Journal Scope
The scope of HMSR is intentionally broad. Medicine and health care involve diverse areas of scholarship and thought, and HMSR will be accommodating to most topics that fall within these spheres. This includes, but is not limited to, trends in biomedical research and technology, innovations in medical care delivery, debates in medical ethics, opinions on best health policies, and views of medicine and medical education from the lens of a student—a lens that is itself diverse.
Submission Types
(1) Primary/original research articles: 1500-3000 words. Abstract (max 250 words) and references required.
(2) Literature review: 1500-3000 words. Abstract (max 250 words) and references required.
(3) Commentary: 400-1500 words. Opinion or perspectives on current healthcare issue. References optional.
(4) Artwork: Including digital artwork, drawings, paintings, photographs. Please include description or interpretation. May be published in association with relevant articles.
Simultaneous and Previously Published Submissions
HMSR does not accept submissions that have been previously published or are currently under consideration at another journal.
Submission Process
Authors are invited to make a submission to this journal. All submissions will be assessed by an editor to determine whether they meet the aims and scope of this journal. Those considered to be a good fit will be sent for peer review before determining whether they will be accepted or rejected. Before making a submission, authors are responsible for obtaining permission to publish any material included with the submission, such as photos, documents and datasets. All authors identified on the submission must consent to be identified as an author. Where appropriate, research should be approved by an appropriate ethics committee in accordance with the legal requirements of the study's country. An editor may desk reject a submission if it does not meet minimum standards of quality. Before submitting, please ensure that the study design and research argument are structured and articulated properly. The title should be concise and the abstract should be able to stand on its own. This will increase the likelihood of reviewers agreeing to review the paper. When you're satisfied that your submission meets this standard, please follow the checklist below to prepare your submission.
General Guidelines
Authors of all types of articles should follow the general instructions outlined below. Overall, every submission should be: Original, Rigorous, Appropriately referenced, Submitted as a single Word document, with associated tables in Excel format. Every submission must also include: An abstract of fewer than 250 words, A disclosure of conflicts of interest, Release documentation for any private information or images used.
Preparing a Submission
Submission Format
All text, references, figure legends, and tables should be submitted in a single, double-spaced Word document using Arial or Times New Roman, 11-point font. Figures may be inserted within the text file. For submissions with multiple figures, upload high-resolution files separately. Acceptable formats for pictures, photos, and figures include: PDF, PPTX, JPG, GIF, and TIF.
Title Page
The title page should include: Manuscript title, Each author’s name, Author’s affiliation and institution, Contact information for the corresponding author.
Abstract
Provide a summary abstract of no more than 250 words.
Tables
Double-space all tables (including footnotes). Provide a clear, descriptive title for each table.
Figures and Illustrations
Legends for all figures must be included in the main text file, not on the figures themselves. Medical and scientific illustrations may be created or redrawn in-house. If submitting figures, HMSR reserves the right to modify or redraw them to meet publication standards. Authors must explicitly acquire all rights to any illustration submitted. All modifications, digital adjustments, or electronic enhancements should be clearly described. Low-resolution images may be submitted for peer review, but high-resolution files may be required later. Photographs of patients may not be submitted.
Journal Style
References
References must be double-spaced and numbered consecutively in the order cited. References cited in a table or figure legend should be numbered according to the sequence in which the table/figure is first mentioned in the text. Authorship formatting: Six or fewer authors → list all authors. Seven or more authors → list the first three, followed by et al.
Sample References
Shapiro AMJ, Lakey JRT, Ryan EA, et al. Islet transplantation in seven patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus using a glucocorticoid-free immunosuppressive regimen. N Engl J Med. 2000;343:230–238.
Goadsby PJ. Pathophysiology of headache. In: Silberstein SD, Lipton RB, Dalessio DJ, eds. Wolff's Headache and Other Head Pain. 7th ed. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press; 2001:57–72.
Kuczmarski RJ, Ogden CL, Grammer-Strawn LM, et al. CDC growth charts: United States. Advance Data from Vital and Health Statistics. No. 314. Hyattsville, Md.: National Center for Health Statistics; 2000. (DHHS publication no. (PHS) 2000-1250 0-0431.)
U.S. positions on selected issues at the third negotiating session of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Washington, D.C.: Committee on Government Reform; 2002. Accessed March 4, 2002. http://www.house.gov/reform/min/inves_tobacco/index_accord.htm
Note: Numbered references to personal communications, unpublished data, or manuscripts “in preparation” or “submitted for publication” are not acceptable. If essential, cite them parenthetically in the text.
Statistical Methods
Follow guidelines described in: Bailar JC III, Mosteller F. Guidelines for statistical reporting in articles for medical journals: amplifications and explanations. Ann Intern Med. 1988;108:266–273. Use exact methods whenever possible for categorical data. For continuous measurements, use nonparametric methods when the dependent variable is not normally distributed. Report results with only as much precision as scientifically valuable (e.g., odds ratios to two significant digits). Always include measures of uncertainty (e.g., confidence intervals), including in figures with aggregated results. Report two-sided P values unless study design requires one-sided tests. P > 0.01 → report to two decimal places. 0.01 ≥ P ≥ 0.001 → report to three decimal places. P < 0.001 → report as P < 0.001. In randomized trials, table comparisons should show significant differences using: * for P < 0.05, ** for P < 0.01, *** for P < 0.001 (with explanations in footnotes if needed; do not include a column of P values). For randomized clinical trials, authors should include a CONSORT flow diagram and checklist. If space limits prevent inclusion, provide them as supplementary documents.
Units of Measurement
Express all measurements in conventional units, with SI units in parentheses. Figures and tables should use conventional units with conversion factors in footnotes or legends. Manuscripts using only SI units will not be returned for that reason.
Abbreviations
Strongly discouraged (except for units of measurement). The first time an abbreviation appears, spell out the full term before introducing the abbreviation.
Drug Names
Use generic names. When proprietary brands are mentioned, include the brand name and manufacturer in parentheses after the first mention in the Methods section.
Originality
Manuscripts are considered only if the work (including tables/figures) has not been published or submitted elsewhere prior to HMSR publication. Exceptions: abstracts or press reports related to scientific meetings. Copies of closely related manuscripts must be submitted along with the HMSR manuscript. Multiple articles from the same study are discouraged.
Authorship
Credit for authorship requires substantial contributions to: Conception and design or analysis and interpretation of data; Drafting the article or critically revising it for important intellectual content; Final approval of the version to be published. Each author must attest that they meet the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts authorship criteria. Group authorship must include at least one named individual (e.g., Thelma J. Smith, for the Boston Porphyria Group). Authors must disclose whether writing assistance beyond copy-editing was provided. Changes in authorship after submission require written approval from all authors.
Assurances
Include the following where applicable: Statement of IRB/ethics committee approval and confirmation that all human participants gave written informed consent. Identification of individuals who analyzed the data.
Conflicts of Interest
Authors of research articles must disclose, at the time of revision, any financial arrangements with: A company whose product is pertinent to the submitted manuscript, or A company producing a competing product. Such disclosures will be kept confidential during review and will not influence the editorial decision. If the article is accepted, a disclosure statement will be published with the article. For reviews and editorials, because their essence lies in interpretation of literature, HMSR expects that authors will not have significant financial interests in a company (or competitor) producing products discussed in the article.
Review and Action
Manuscripts are examined by HMSR editorial staff; some may be sent to outside reviewers. Authors will receive communications after the editorial decision-making process is complete. All authors receive: An acknowledgement email, and Any notification of acceptance or required revisions.
