WMJ_AuthorGuidelines_Jan2024

World Medical Journal
Official Journal of the World Medical Association
Author Guidelines
Updated January 2024
As the official journal of the World Medical Association (WMA), the World Medical Journal is
an online publication that is published quarterly and reflects the aims and activities of the WMA.
This publication aims to highlight trends and novel areas in medical advancements that can
increase physicians’ awareness of pressing global health issues. It includes sections on Medical
Ethics and Human Rights, Medical Science, Professional Practice and Education, Environmental
Health, and the Secretary General’s column. It also incorporates the Regional and National
Medical Association (NMA) News, which offers an open space for reports on regional
developments and NMA initiatives. Furthermore, it provides a space for Junior Doctors Network
(JDN) members to highlight pressing topics for junior doctors in training across the world.
1. General Information
Authors should familiarize themselves with the World Medical Journal format by reviewing the
Author Guide and previous issues, which are available on the journal website. We encourage
authors to review the BMJ Author Resources, as a useful resource to ensure high-quality writing.
Most content of the World Medical Journal is solicited from WMA members and other health
professional experts on key medical topics that are relevant for the global medical community.
However, we highly encourage WMA members to prepare their own articles for the World Medical
Journal. In this case, authors should initially share a brief description of their proposed article
with the editorial team for evaluation and feedback. Once content is solicited and approved,
authors should email their article text and accompanying information to the Editor in Chief (editor-
in-chief@wma.net) by the requested deadline.
2. Authorship
Authors should meet the criteria of authorship, as defined by the International Committee of
Medical Journal Editors. For individuals who have contributed to the article preparation, but do
not meet the criteria of authorship, please add a one-sentence acknowledgment to recognize their
contributions.
3. Format
As general guidelines, we recommend that authors follow the following criteria when preparing
their article. Authors should incorporate citations from the evidence-based literature, in support
of their scholarly opinions, perspectives, analyses, and statements.
Article type Definition Maximum
word count
(article text)
Maximum
reference
count
Commentary Describes a scholarly opinion on an existing or
emerging topic in medical education and ethics
2.000 20
Reports Shares key highlights of a medical event or public
forum at the local, national or international level
2,000 20
Analyses Offers a critical analysis on key medical or policy
debates at the local, national or international level
1,500-3,000 30
Book reviews Presents a summary of a non-fiction book or
textbook with relevance to the medical community
1,500 10
In a Word file, authors should prepare the article content using Times New Roman size 12 font, 1-
inch margin, double spacing, and British style English). Abbreviations, although used sparingly,
should be defined when first used in the text. Authors should include author information (names
of authors, degrees, primary affiliation including city/country, email), article text, and
accompanying documents (tables, graphics).
4. Deadlines
Authors should adhere to the established deadlines of the quarterly issues of the World Medical
Journal, as follows:
Issue month Submission deadline
March February 15
June May 15
September August 15
December November 1
5. Photographs
Authors are welcome to submit a high-quality profile photograph (larger than 100KB) to be
included in the author section. They can submit high-quality photographs (larger than 100KB)
that accompany the article text. Photographs should include a one-sentence descriptive caption,
confirm appropriate copyright permissions, and list photographer credits (e.g. name). Photographs
should be submitted as separate files (e.g. png, jpg).
6. Tables and Figures
Authors can submit tables and figures with a one-sentence descriptive caption and source (if
applicable). The specific location for the inclusion of tables or figures in the article text should be
indicated as follows: (Figure 1) or (Table 1). Tables should be included in the desired location of
the manuscript text, while figures should be submitted as a separate file (e.g. xls or ppt and png or
jpg).
7. References
References should include peer-reviewed manuscripts published within the previous five years.
The in-text (e.g. [1]) and final reference list (e.g. references listed in numerical order) should be
prepared in Vancouver referencing style. The Vancouver Citing and Referencing Style guide,
prepared by Monash University, serves as a useful resource for proper citation styles.
• Example of journal article with less than three authors:
o Author AA, Author BB, Author CC, Author DD. Title of article. Abbreviated title
of journal. Date of publication YYYY Month DD;volume number(issue
number):page numbers.
• Example of journal article with more than six authors:
o Author AA, Author BB, Author CC, Author DD, Author EE, Author FF, et al. Title
of article. Abbreviated title of journal. Date of publication YYYY Month
DD;volume number(issue number):page numbers.
• Example of textbook:
o Author AA. Title of book. # edition [if not first]. Place of Publication: Publisher;
Year of publication. Pagination.
• Example of a chapter in a textbook:
o Author AA, Author BB. Title of chapter. In: Editor AA, Editor BB, editors. Title
of book. # edition. Place of Publication: Publisher; Year of publication. p. [page
numbers of chapter].
• Example of a website:
o Author/organization’s name. Title of the page [Internet]. Place of publication:
Publisher’s name; Date or year of publication [updated YYYY Month DD; cited
YYYY month DD]. Available from: URL
Editorial Review Process
Each article will be reviewed by the World Medical Journal editorial team for content, quality,
and grammar. Submission does not guarantee publication in the World Medical Journal. By
submitting their articles, authors understand and give permission that the World Medical
Association and the World Medical Journal may use the content, photographs, tables or figures
for internal circulation or promotional materials, crediting their work. Articles or graphical images
that suggest or promote discrimination on basis of gender, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity,
religion, disability or age, will not be published.
For high-quality articles, the World Medical Journal editorial team will work with authors through
the editorial process. Authors should plan to be available throughout the editorial process and
provide timely responses (within 48-72 hours) to editorial feedback upon request. Due to the
comprehensive editorial process, authors must adhere to editorial deadlines to ensure that their
article can be published in the respective issue. The editorial team will share the accepted article
in layout format (proof) for authors to send any final revisions and authorize the final version prior
to publication.
Note about Originality and Plagiarism
Authors take full responsibility for the content of their submitted articles, including the originality
and innovation of the content. Authors should avoid academic or scientific misconduct through
the act of plagiarism, which is defined as “the act of using another person’s words or ideas without
giving credit to that person” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2021; Merriman, 2010). If any content
(e.g. text or graphics) was published in a previous publication, authors should seek the appropriate
authorization by the original authors and publisher for reprint permissions.
Questions
If you have any questions regarding your submission, please contact the Editor in Chief (editor-
in-chief@wma.net).
Submission Checklist
Title Page (Word document)
• Brief title of article
• First and last name of author(s)
• Email address of author(s)
• Academic degree(s) of author(s) (e.g., MD, MBBS, PhD, MPH)
• Institutional affiliation of author(s)
• City and country represented by author(s)
Main Document (Word document)
• Main text, including in-text citations (if applicable)
• List of final references in Vancouver style (if applicable)
• Table(s) with one-sentence caption(s) and source(s) (optional)
Accompanying Documents (submitted as separate files)
• Profile photo of author(s) (e.g. png or jpg) (recommended, but optional)
• Photograph(s) (e.g. png or jpg) with one-sentence caption(s) and photo credit(s)
(optional)
• Figure(s) (e.g. xls or ppt and png or jpg) with one-sentence caption(s) and source(s)
(optional)