The Annals of Medical Case Reports and Reviews welcomes submissions from clinicians, researchers, and medical professionals. To ensure a smooth and efficient submission and review process, authors are required to adhere to the following guidelines:
Manuscript Preparation
- Formatting: Manuscripts should be prepared using Microsoft Word or similar text-editing software. The document should be written in Times New Roman, 12-point font, and double-spaced, with 1-inch margins on all sides.
- Title Page: The title page must include the following information:
- Manuscript title: A concise and descriptive title.
- Full names of all authors.
- Institutional affiliations of each author.
- Contact information for the corresponding author, including email address, phone number, and mailing address.
- Word Limit: Case reports should typically range between 1,500-3,000 words, while review articles may go up to 5,000-6,000 words. Exceptions can be made for extensive case series or comprehensive reviews with editor approval.
Abstract Requirements
- Structured Abstract: All submissions must include an abstract of no more than 250 words. The abstract for case reports should be structured into the following sections:
- Background: A brief introduction to the case and its significance.
- Case Presentation: Key details of the patient, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome.
- Conclusion: Key learning points and implications for future practice.
- Unstructured Abstract: For review articles, an unstructured abstract can be used that provides an overview of the topic, key findings, and conclusions.
Keywords
- Authors are required to provide 4-6 relevant keywords that are specific to the case or review. Keywords help with the indexing and discoverability of the article. Authors should select terms from recognized medical vocabularies such as MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) to ensure consistency.
Introduction
- The introduction should succinctly describe the background and relevance of the case or review. For case reports, include why the case is unique or rare, and for review articles, outline the scope and importance of the topic under consideration.
Figures, Tables, and Supplementary Material
- Figures: High-quality images (minimum of 300 DPI resolution) must be submitted as separate files in JPEG or PNG format. Each figure should be accompanied by a descriptive legend that clarifies the content.
- Tables: Tables should be presented in a clear format and submitted as editable text, not images. Each table should have a title and include appropriate footnotes, where necessary.
- Supplementary Materials: Additional data (e.g., detailed case histories, extended datasets, or supplementary figures) can be submitted for online-only publication.
References
- Vancouver Referencing Style: All references must adhere to the Vancouver citation format. References should be numbered sequentially in the order they appear in the text. Each citation should include the full author names, title of the paper, journal name, volume, issue, pages, and year of publication.
- Example: Smith J, Doe A. Rare manifestations of autoimmune disorders: A case study. J Clin Med. 2023;12(5):123-129.
- Accuracy: It is the author's responsibility to ensure that all references are accurate and up to date. Failure to provide correct citations may result in the manuscript being returned for corrections.
Ethics and Consent
- Ethical Approval: Case reports involving human participants must include evidence of ethics committee approval. A statement confirming that the study has been conducted in compliance with ethical standards (e.g., Declaration of Helsinki) must be included in the manuscript.
- Patient Consent: Written informed consent must be obtained from all patients (or their legal guardians) whose case details are included in the manuscript. Consent forms should not be submitted with the manuscript but should be retained by the authors and made available upon request by the journal.
- Confidentiality: Personal identifying information (e.g., names, dates of birth, hospital ID numbers) should be removed or anonymized. Any identifying images must be accompanied by explicit consent for publication.
Peer Review Process
- All manuscripts are subject to a rigorous double-blind peer review. This process ensures that both reviewers and authors remain anonymous throughout the review. Reviewers assess the manuscript for:
- Originality
- Scientific merit
- Clinical relevance
- Ethical considerations
- Adherence to journal guidelines
- Quality of the manuscript's presentation
Plagiarism Policy
- The journal has a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism. All manuscripts are checked using advanced plagiarism detection software. Any submission found to contain plagiarized material will be immediately rejected, and the authors may be prohibited from submitting future work.
- Authors are expected to submit original work and properly cite all sources, ideas, and quotations that are not their own. Failure to comply may result in retraction of the article.
Submission Process
- Online Submission: Manuscripts must be submitted through the journal's online submission portal. Authors should create an account, follow the step-by-step submission instructions, and ensure that all required files (manuscript, figures, tables) are uploaded.
- Cover Letter: A cover letter should accompany the manuscript, briefly explaining the novelty of the case or the significance of the review topic. Authors may also suggest potential reviewers with expertise in the field.
Article Processing Charges (APC)
- Open Access Fee: As an open-access journal, all published articles are freely available to readers. Authors are responsible for paying the Article Processing Charges (APCs), which cover the costs of publication and online hosting. The fee varies depending on the type of manuscript.
Post-Acceptance
- Once accepted, manuscripts will undergo a detailed editing and formatting process. Authors will receive proofs for final approval before the article is published online. Annals of Medical Case Reports and Reviews strives to expedite the publication process to ensure timely dissemination of clinical knowledge.