Papers - How to get published Types of paper Case report Review article Original article

Papers - How to get published Planning - 6 questions to answer 1.What do I have to say? 2.Is the paper worth writing? 3.Have I already published such a paper? 4.What is the right format for the message? 5.Who is the audience for the message? 6.What is the right Journal for the paper?

Papers - How to get published Case Report - now less acceptable for publication unless - Unique - appears to be a previously unreported syndrome or disease Unexpected association - 2 or more diseases suggesting an unrecognised causal relationship Form Fruste - a new and important variation Unexpected outcome - may suggest an adverse drug effect

Papers - How to get published Structure of a Case Report 1.Why the case is worth reporting 2.Account of the case with all relevant data 3.Discussion of evidence that case is unique or unexpected 4.Conclusion and implications

Papers - How to get published Case Series Retrospective study of case records Define prior questions and hypotheses Often done as an audit May be part of a review article

Papers - How to get published ABC of Effective Writing A - Accuracy B - Brevity C - Clarity

Papers - How to get published Style Brevity - use short words and short sentences Avoid words like - parameter, disease process, red in colour, moment in time, not unusual, lower limbs, sacrifice etc. Avoid turning nouns into verbs e.g. impact upon

Papers - How to get published Keep your sentences short and simple (20 words) Use the active not the passive (“We did” rather than “It was done”) Be positive rather than negative (He was “usually late” rather than “not often on time”) Prefer simple words (“about” rather than “approximately”, “raised” rather than “elevated”) Avoid needless words (“absolute perfection” is too much, “perfection” will do) Tim Albert, 2002

Papers - How to get published Intended readership, aims, scope Read some recent papers Search for previous articles on topic Prestige - Journal Citation Reports Service ( Editorial decision time Wai-Ching Leung, 2002 Selecting a Journal

Papers - How to get published Never easy - takes time Write out long hand or use word processor Use headings Read instructions to authors Ask a friend to read Check references carefully Figures - label correctly

Papers - How to get published Instructions to authors Double spacing Wide margins Number of copies / disk Short title Key words Number pages Reference style

Papers - How to get published Albert T (1996) Publish and prosper. bmj.com Albert 313 (7070): 2 Albert T (2002) A selection of frequently asked questions about writing. bmj.com Albert 324 (7338): 835 Leung W-C (2002) How to maximise your chances to publish as a trainee. bmj.com Leung 324 (7338): 845 Leung W-C (2002) What types of publications should you aim for? bmj.com Leung 324 (7348): 1655 Gibbons A (2002) Performing and publishing a randomised controlled trial. bmj.com Gibbons 324 (7344): 131S Bibliography