Manuscript Categories
Original Article
Word limit: there is no fixed word limit for research articles, but authors must use the most concise language possible, as well as succinct, structured sentences. The word count for the main text (excluding the abstract, references, tables, boxes, or figures) should be provided when the manuscript is submitted.
Abstract: Structured (Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusions), 200-350 words max. No abbreviations.
Key words: 3~5.
References: No limit.
Figures/Tables: No limit, but 10 figures are deemed sufficient.
Description: Original articles should take the following format: Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusions. Original articles must have originality and clinical impact.
Original articles should include a section describing the contribution made by each author to the manuscript. See the “3.4 Author Contributions” sections for details.
If a submitted article includes any data that are not publicly available, the authors are required to fill in a data-sharing statement form, which should be submitted along with their manuscript. If the article is accepted for publication, the Data Availability Statement (form) will be published online alongside the article. See the “3.7.2 Data Sharing Statement” section for details. When a manuscript documents any experiment(s) involving human subjects or animals, the authors must indicate an ethical statement both in the methods section and the footnote. See the “3.7.5 Ethical statement” section for details.
Please note that systematic review with meta-analysis will be categorized as Original Article.
Review Article
Word limit: 6,000 words max. (including an abstract but excluding references, tables, and figures)
Abstract: Unstructured, 200-350 words max.
Key words: 3~5.
References: No limit.
Figures/tables: No limit.
Description: Because the essence of review articles is selection and interpretation of existing literature, THM expects that authors of such articles will not have significant financial associations (conflicts of interest) with companies or their competitors making any of the products discussed.Review articles should present a timely, comprehensive analysis of a specific topic. We welcome the submission of proposals for review articles for initial consideration.
Review articles should entail a section describing the contribution made by each author to the manuscript. See the “3.4 Author contributions” section for details.
Clinical Practice Review
Offers evidence-based review of topics relevant to practicing primary care and specialist physicians (but written for general audience, so may include material considered too introductory for specialists).
Maximum words: 2,500
Elements:
Must State:
Clinical problem
Strategies and evidence
Areas of uncertainty
Guidelines from professional societies
Authors’ conclusions and recommendations
May Contain:
Small number of tables and figures
Up to 50 references
Other Review
Offers evidence-based review covering a wide variety of potential clinical and mechanistic subjects.
Maximum words: 3,000
Elements:
Maximum of five (5) figures and tables
Up to 75 references
Special Article
Reports scientific results of original research in such areas as health policy, ethics, law, and health care delivery.
Maximum words: 2,700
Abstract
Maximum of five (5) tables and figures
Up to 40 references
Clinical Cases
Case Report
Word limit: 2,500 words max. (excluding references, tables, and figures)
Abstract: Unstructured, 200-350 words max.
Key words: 3~5.
References: 20 max.
Figures/tables: 8 max. (combined)
Description: Case studies should present observations of diseases, clinical findings, or novel/unique treatment outcomes that are relevant to practitioners in related fields.
The text should be arranged as follows: Introduction, Case Presentation, and Discussion. Only cases of exceptional interest and novelty are considered. For manuscripts that fail to qualify, editors may request that the authors shorten the manuscript for resubmission as another type of article.
Editorial
Word limit: 2500 words max. (excluding references, tables, and figures)
Abstract: Not required
References: 25 max. (including the article being discussed)
Figures and Tables: 2 max. (combined)
Description: An Editorial is defined as a comment on an article or articles published in CDT. Editorials are generally solicited by the editorial office and written by recognized leader(s) in the field.
Editorial Commentary
Word Limit: 2,500 words max. (excluding references, tables, and figures).
Abstract: Not required.
References: 25 max.
Figures/Tables: 2 max in total.
Description: The Editors extend an invitation to an expert in the field to discuss a paper, report, or event from within the past few months, or in the near future. The problems addressed by the relevant paper/report/event should be considered within the wider context of the field. Offers commentary and analysis on a current-issue THM article.
Letter to the Editor
Word limit: 1,000 words max. (excluding references, tables, and figures)
Abstract: Not required.
References: 10 max.
Figures/tables: 1 max. (combined)
Description: We welcome the submission of letters regarding the content of the journal or other topics of interest to our readers. Comment on recently published THM articles, novel cases, or other topics of current interest to the medical science and health care communities.
The journal may invite replies from the authors of the original publication, or forward letters to these authors. Correspondence is also referred to as a ‘Letter to the Editor’.
Perspective
Covers timely, relevant topics in health care and medicine in a brief, accessible style.
Maximum words: 1,200
Elements:
Usually include one (1) figure or table
Maximum of five (5) references
Clinical Implications of Basic Research
Discusses a single preclinical journal paper, explaining findings and commenting on possible clinical applications. Authors may not write commentary on their own work.
Maximum words: 750
Elements:
May include one (1) figure
Maximum of five (5) references
Technology, Innovation and Techniques
Updates on latest medical innovation and technology including cardiovascular and perfusion devices, a mechanical circulatory support systems, artificial intelligence in medicine, digitalization in medicine and surgery and in allied health
Maximum words: 1500
Elements:
May include 3 figures
Maximum of 5 references
Other
Special Report / Brief Communication
Addresses miscellaneous topics of special interest to the medical community.
Maximum words: 2,700
Elements:
Up to five (5) display items
Maximum of 40 references
Health Law, Ethics, and Human Rights or Health Policy Report
Descriptions of major court cases, policy statements, or areas of health policy.
Important! Please contact THM editors before submitting one of these articles.
Maximum words: 2,500
Medicine and Society
Covers social aspects of medicine and health care, including medical sociology, anthropology, history, and ethics.
Maximum words: 2,000
Sounding Board
Offers opinion or commentary often focusing on health-policy issues;
like an editorial, but not tied to current issue articles.
Maximum words: 2,000
Visual Articles
Images in Clinical Medicine
Classic images — either static or video — displaying medical conditions that capture the sense of visual discovery and variety that physicians experience in clinical practice.
Important! This article type is not intended as a vehicle for case reports.
Maximum words: N/A
See specific instructions for Images in Clinical Medicine
The THM Images in Clinical Medicine article type captures and illuminates the sense of visual discovery and variety that physicians experience every day in clinical practice.
To be considered for publication, images or videos must be:
Original and free of content that has been submitted or published elsewhere
High resolution and high in quality
The Images in Clinical Medicine article type is not intended for case reports. Up to two (2) authors may be credited with each image or video submission. THM reserves rights to edit or abridge submitted images or videos and may opt to publish in print, online only, or both.
Videos in Clinical Medicine
Videos illustrating and explaining common procedures.
Important! Please contact THM editors with proposals for videos in clinical medicine.
Maximum words: N/A