Overview
Submission Instructions
Recent Publications
Frequently Asked Questions
Research Topics
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The BMJ provides medical news and analysis for doctors in the UK and globally.
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Subject
Medicine, General & Internal
Impact Factor
42.7
Quartile
Q1
Open Access Type
Closed
ISSN
0959-535X
eISSN
1756-1833
Invitation Only
No
Cost Range
Open access article processing charge applies for research papers after acceptance; discounts and waivers are available. Living systematic reviews incur the usual open access processing fee for the initial version plus £2000 per update for up to three updates per year.
Submission Instructions
BMJ-British Medical Journal accepts the following article types. Click on an article type to view submission instructions.
Original Research
Cover Letter
Cover letter is required and must include details of previous publications or electronic publication of the same study, explain any request to exclude specific reviewers, and provide assurances for industry-funded studies or professionally written articles when applicable. Cover letter must include details of previous publications from the same study, including scientific abstracts, media reports, foreign language journals, and any previous electronic publication such as preprint posting, plus any reviewer exclusion requests and applicable publication-practice assurances.
Abstract
Structured abstract is required. Structured abstract must be 250–300 words, although CONSORT-style or PRISMA-style abstracts may be up to 400 words. Abstract must be structured. Abstract should include the headings Objectives, Design, Setting, Participants, Interventions, Main outcome measures, Results, Conclusions, and Trial registration, with modification allowed for clinical trials or systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Manuscript
Original Research articles have no fixed word count limit, but the submission must report the main-text word count excluding the abstract, references, tables, boxes, and figures. Manuscript must follow IMRaD structure, include a structured discussion, and contain a Methods subsection titled "Patient and Public Involvement." Manuscript must include a competing interests statement in ICMJE disclosure format, a summary box with "What is already known on this topic" and "What this study adds," a transparency declaration, and funding details.
References
The citations section must be headed "References."
Figures & Tables
Figures and images must be uploaded separately and not embedded in the manuscript file, and tables must be submitted as separate Word files.
Analysis
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript
Manuscript should be 2000 words. Manuscript must include a short title and italicised single-sentence standfirst, begin with a brief introductory paragraph explaining the aim and why now, and use subheadings to create a logical narrative structure. Manuscript must include a key messages box with 3-4 points at the end, a 100-150 word contributors and sources paragraph covering each author’s expertise, contribution, and information sources, relevant competing interests declarations for all authors, the specified exclusive licence statement, and one nominated guarantor.
References
References should total 20. References must be in Vancouver style.
Figures & Tables
Up to 3 non-text items such as a box, figure, or table may be included. Figures and images must be uploaded as separate files rather than embedded in the manuscript, and tables must be submitted as separate Word files. Boxes, tables, and figures should extend and substantiate points made in the body of the paper.
Living Systematic Reviews
Cover Letter
Cover letter is required. Cover letter must explain and justify why the review should be living, briefly describe other existing reviews including recently published living systematic reviews, and acknowledge acceptance of the special conditions for living reviews.
Abstract
Abstract is required. Abstract must state the research question or objective and that one objective is to provide regular updates and keep the review live, describe the rationale for a living systematic review, and end with a Readers’ note giving the paper version, live date, and notice of planned updates.
Manuscript
Manuscript title must include the phrase "living systematic review," methods must mention and reference any published or publicly available protocol and describe how the review will be kept living, results must clearly state updated search dates, and updated versions must make clear when and why methods have evolved over time.
References
References requirements are not specified.
Figures & Tables
Figures and images must be uploaded separately from the manuscript file and not embedded in the text, and tables must be submitted as separate Word files.
Endgames
Cover Letter
Submission must include a signed originality of work attestation form.
Abstract
Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript
Manuscript must include a 150 word vignette, three questions with 50 word answers each, a 50 word learning point, and a 50 word patient outcome. Manuscript must be written using the Case Review template. Manuscript must include a single clinical image.
References
The citations section must be headed with the title "References."
Figures & Tables
Endgames articles must include one clinical image. Images must be uploaded separately and not embedded in the manuscript file.
Minerva Pictures
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript
Minerva Pictures must include a 150-word vignette accompanying one clear image. Minerva Pictures must consist of one clear image and a vignette outlining the steps taken to reach the diagnosis and be submitted using the Minerva Picture template. The submission must include copyright or licence statements and a signed originality of work attestation form.
References
References requirements are not specified.
Figures & Tables
Minerva Pictures must contain exactly one clear image. The image must be uploaded separately from the manuscript file and not embedded in the text.
Rapid Responses
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript
Manuscript requirements are not specified.
References
Citations must appear under the heading "References."
Figures & Tables
Figures & Tables requirements are not specified.
10 Minute Consultation
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript
Manuscript must be 1,000 words. Manuscript must include written statements of competing interests and licence to publication.
References
References must be limited to 10. The citations section must use the heading "References."
Figures & Tables
Figures, images, and tables must be uploaded separately from the manuscript file and not embedded in the text.
Research Methods And Reporting (RMR)
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript
Research Methods and Reporting articles do not have a fixed word count limit. Research Methods and Reporting articles must include a short title, a 100-150 word italicised single-sentence standfirst, a brief introductory paragraph, and body text organised under logical subheadings. Research Methods and Reporting articles must include up to four bullet-point summary points, a 100-150 word supplementary contributors and sources paragraph, a statement of sources and selection criteria, a competing interests statement in ICMJE disclosure format, and tables, boxes, or illustrations to support key points.
References
Research Methods and Reporting articles should ideally include no more than 20 references. References must be in Vancouver style.
Figures & Tables
Figures and images must be uploaded as separate files rather than embedded in the manuscript, and tables must be submitted as separate Word files. Research Methods and Reporting articles must include tables, boxes, or illustrations to enhance the text and substantiate key points.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to publish?
Median time to first decision in 2019 was 58 days for research, 58 days for analysis, and 57 days for education papers. Median time to rejection without review was 3 days for research, 14 days for analysis, and 45 days for education papers. The journal aims for a first decision within two or three weeks, often within a few days of submission, and a final decision within eight to 10 weeks of submission. Fast track publication can provide full online publication within four weeks of submission. Authors are usually asked to return revisions within the subsequent month, and proof corrections are normally expected within 2 working days.
Reformat to BMJ-British Medical Journal using Livewrite PremiumIs a cover letter required?
A cover letter is required to declare any prior publication of the same or substantially similar work and explain any circumstances that might suggest prior publication. Authors should also mention use of a preprint server in the cover letter.
Reformat to BMJ-British Medical Journal using Livewrite PremiumWhat are the publication costs?
All research papers are published with open access. Other article types are occasionally published as open access when required by a funder.
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Health Services Management and Policy
Primary Care and Health Outcomes
Child and Adolescent Health
Global Health Workforce Issues
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