CM

Canadian Medical Association Journal

Canadian Medical Association Journal is a medical journal publishing research, clinical practice, and commentary content, with current issues, most-read and most-cited articles, podcasts, and related news features.

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Subject Medicine, General & Internal
Impact Factor 11.3
Quartile Q1
Open Access Type Closed
ISSN 0820-3946
eISSN 1488-2329
Invitation Only No
Cost Range Payment of a publication fee is required for all guidelines published in CMAJ; the fee must be negotiated separately with the publisher in advance of submission. Payment of a publication fee is also required for supplements and is negotiated separately with the publisher.

Submission Instructions

Canadian Medical Association Journal accepts the following article types. Click on an article type to view submission instructions.

Research

Cover Letter A cover letter is required at first submission. Cover letter must provide context for the manuscript within the medical literature, explain why it should be published, state each author's specific contributions, justify any authors beyond the article-type maximum, and disclose any use of AI tools.
Abstract An abstract is required. Abstract should be about 250 words. Abstract must be structured. Abstract must use the headings Background, Methods, Results, and Interpretation.
Manuscript Manuscript must not exceed 2,500 words excluding the title page, abstract, figures, tables, and references. Manuscript should include an introduction, methods, results, and interpretation section, with the introduction not exceeding 400 words and the interpretation section being 4 to 5 paragraphs and about 800 words. Manuscript title must include the study type, and the manuscript must disclose any use of AI tools.
References References must follow Vancouver style. References must be cited in the text and numbered in the order in which they are first cited.
Figures & Tables Quantitative results should be reported in tables rather than text, and tables and figures must be clear, legible, and not duplicate information in the text.
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Analysis

Cover Letter A cover letter is required at first submission. Cover letter must explain the manuscript’s context in the medical literature, why it should be published in CMAJ, each author’s contribution, and any use of AI tools, with justification if the author count exceeds the article-type maximum.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Analysis articles must not exceed 2,000 words and must include a brief introduction of 250 words or less. Analysis articles must use subheadings framed as questions and include an introduction explaining why the article should be read plus discussion of the issue, key concerns, knowledge gaps, future directions, and recommendations for a way forward. Analysis articles must include up to four short key points highlighting the main message, and the manuscript must disclose any use of AI tools.
References Analysis articles may have up to 25 references. References must follow Vancouver style. References must be cited in the text and numbered in the order of first citation.
Figures & Tables Tables and figures must be clear and legible and must not duplicate information in the text.
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Review

Cover Letter A cover letter is required at first submission. Cover letter must provide context for the manuscript in the medical literature, explain why it should be published, state each author's contributions, and disclose any use of AI tools.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Review articles must not exceed 2,800 words, excluding words in figures, boxes, tables, and reference lists. Review articles must include a 150-word introduction indicating the article's direction, why it should be read, and the overall quality of the evidence, and they must focus on answering five to six clinical questions with supporting evidence. Review articles must include a box describing the evidence used to develop the paper, a box with unanswered questions where evidence is lacking, up to four short key points, and disclosure of any AI tool use in the manuscript.
References Review articles may include up to 40 references. References must follow Vancouver style. References must be cited in the text and numbered in the order of first citation.
Figures & Tables Tables and figures must be clear and legible and must not duplicate information in the text.
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Randomized Trials

Cover Letter Cover letter is required at first submission. Cover letter must provide context for the manuscript within the medical literature, explain why it should be published, state each author's specific contributions, and disclose any use of AI tools.
Abstract Abstract is required for Randomized Trials. Abstract must include the trial registration registry and number.
Manuscript Manuscript must disclose any use of AI tools, and Randomized Trials beginning enrollment on or after Jan. 1, 2019, must include a data-sharing statement in the trial registration.
References References must follow Vancouver style. References must be cited in the text and numbered in the order of first citation.
Figures & Tables Tables and figures must be clear and legible and must not duplicate information in the text.
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Observational Studies

Cover Letter A cover letter is required at first submission. Cover letter must provide context for the manuscript within the medical literature, explain why it should be published, state each author's specific contributions, and disclose any use of AI tools.
Abstract If the study was prospectively registered, the registration number should be supplied in the abstract.
Manuscript Observational Studies should address a specific pre-defined research question and outline primary outcomes in a protocol before study inception. The manuscript must disclose any use of AI tools.
References References must follow Vancouver style. References must be cited in the text and numbered in the order of first citation.
Figures & Tables Tables and figures must be clear and legible and should not duplicate information in the text.
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Cases

Cover Letter A cover letter is required at first submission. Cover letter must provide context for the manuscript within the medical literature, explain why it should be published, state each author's specific contributions, and disclose any use of AI tools.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Manuscript must not exceed 1,500 words and must include a real case presentation of 500 words or less plus a discussion of the underlying condition of 1,000 words or less. Manuscript must include a real case presentation and a discussion of the underlying condition that emphasizes practical information and new or changing practice. Manuscript must include up to four key points in short sentences and a statement identifying the senior clinician or expert guarantor, and it must disclose any use of AI tools.
References Cases may include up to 10 references. References must follow Vancouver style. References must be cited in the text and numbered in the order of first citation.
Figures & Tables Tables and figures must be clear and legible and must not duplicate information in the text.
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What Is Your Call?

Cover Letter A cover letter is required at first submission. The cover letter must provide clinical and literature context, explain why the article should be published, state each author's contribution, justify any authors beyond four, and disclose any use of AI tools.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Manuscript must not exceed 1,500 words including questions, answers and discussion. Manuscript must present a real case with clinical details and images, use question-style subheads each followed by multiple-choice questions and answers, and end with a brief discussion section. The manuscript must disclose any use of AI tools at submission and include the guarantor statement naming a senior clinician or expert as guarantor of the clinical content.
References References are limited to a maximum of 10. References must follow Vancouver style. References must be cited in the text and numbered in the order of first citation.
Figures & Tables Images are required as part of the case presentation, and tables and figures must be clear and legible without duplicating information in the text.
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Innovations In Practice

Cover Letter A cover letter is required at first submission. Cover letter must provide context for the manuscript within the medical literature, explain why it should be published, state each author's contribution, and disclose any use of AI tools.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Manuscript must not exceed 1,400 words. Manuscript must be structured in five sections covering the innovation, evidence for benefit, evidence for harms, resource implications, and foreseeable future. Manuscript must include up to four key points in short sentences and disclose any use of AI tools.
References Manuscript may include up to 10 references. References must follow Vancouver style. References must be cited in the text and numbered in the order of first citation.
Figures & Tables Tables and figures must be clear, legible, adhere to the manuscript-type requirements, and not duplicate information in the text.
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Decisions

Cover Letter A cover letter is required at first submission. Cover letter must provide context for the manuscript within the medical literature, explain why it should be published, state each author's contribution, and disclose any use of AI tools.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Manuscript must not exceed 650 words. Manuscript must be organized into three main sections including a clinical situation description of 75 words or less, three to four clinical questions, and a Case revisited section. Manuscript must include a brief clinical situation description of 75 words or less, three to four clinical questions addressing key decisions, a Case revisited section, and disclosure of any AI tool use.
References References are limited to a maximum of seven. References must follow Vancouver style. References must be cited in the text and numbered in the order of first citation.
Figures & Tables A maximum of one box or figure is permitted. Tables and figures must be clear, legible, and must not duplicate information in the text.
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Five Things To Know About...

Cover Letter A cover letter is required at first submission. Cover letter must provide context for the manuscript in the medical literature, explain why it should be published in CMAJ, state each author's contribution, and disclose any use of AI tools.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Manuscript must not exceed 300 words. Manuscript must present key sentences that are clear, short, and specific, each supported by one or two explanatory sentences and a reference. Manuscript must designate one author as the clinical guarantor and include disclosure of any use of AI tools.
References References are limited to 5. References must follow Vancouver style. References must be cited in the text and numbered in the order of first citation.
Figures & Tables Tables and figures must be clear and legible and must not duplicate information in the text.
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Clinical Images

Cover Letter A cover letter is required at first submission. Cover letter must provide context for the manuscript in the medical literature, explain why it should be published, state each author's contribution, and disclose any use of AI tools.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Clinical Images must not exceed 300 words. Clinical Images must include a figure and a brief real-patient case description followed by a concise explanation of the educational significance of the images and a figure caption.
References Clinical Images may include up to three references. References must follow Vancouver style. References must be cited in the text and numbered in the order of first citation.
Figures & Tables Clinical Images must include a figure. Images must be clear, appropriately labelled, and high-resolution at 300 dpi or greater.
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360 Cases

Cover Letter A cover letter is required at first submission. Cover letter must provide context for the manuscript within the medical literature, explain why it should be published, state each author's contribution, justify any authors beyond the article-type maximum, and disclose any use of AI tools.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Manuscript must include a case description of 250 words or less and 2 to 4 perspective sections, each limited to 400 words if written or 5 minutes if submitted as audio. Manuscript must include a case description and perspective sections from 2 to 4 authors, including one perspective written by the patient, a family member, or a caregiver. All authors must reflect on how they felt in their role and responsibilities, include the guarantor statement naming a senior clinician or expert, and disclose any use of AI tools in the manuscript.
References References are discouraged unless requested by the editors. References must follow Vancouver style. References must be cited in the text and numbered in the order of first citation, and AI tools must not be cited as references or reference authors.
Figures & Tables Tables and figures must be clear and legible and should not duplicate information in the text.
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Five Ways To Support

Cover Letter A cover letter is required at first submission. Cover letter must provide context for the manuscript in the medical literature, explain why it should be published, state each author's specific contributions, and disclose any use of AI tools.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Manuscript must not exceed 300 words. Article should present 5 key points that may not be known to most health care providers, with each key sentence followed by 1 to 2 explanatory sentences. Manuscript must include a brief end statement describing how the perspectives of people with lived experience were incorporated, and any use of AI tools must be disclosed in the manuscript.
References References are limited to a maximum of 5. References must follow Vancouver style. References must be cited in the text and numbered in the order of first citation.
Figures & Tables Article may include 1 figure, table, or box as an appendix. Tables and figures must be clear and legible and must not duplicate information in the text.
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Guidelines

Cover Letter A cover letter is required at first submission. Cover letter must provide context for the manuscript within the medical literature, explain why it should be published, state each author's contribution, and disclose any use of AI tools.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Guidelines should be formatted according to the journal's standard guideline template. The manuscript must disclose any use of AI tools at submission.
References References must follow Vancouver style. References must be cited in the text and numbered in the order of first citation.
Figures & Tables Tables and figures must be clear and legible and must not duplicate information in the text.
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Letters

Cover Letter A cover letter is required at first submission. Cover letter must provide context for the manuscript within the medical literature, explain why it should be published, state each author's specific contributions, and disclose any use of AI tools.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Manuscript must disclose any use of AI tools at submission and include the statement "[guarantor name] is the guarantor of the clinical content of this submission."
References References must follow Vancouver style. References must be cited in the text and numbered in the order of first citation.
Figures & Tables Tables and figures must be clear and legible and must not duplicate information in the text.
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Recent Publications

Arguments sanitaires justifiant l’interdiction de la publicité pour les combustibles fossiles

Samantha Green, Leah Temper

10.1503/cmaj.250022-f
View Publication

Post mortem

Lily Smallwood

10.1503/cmaj.252194
View Publication

Acute pancreatitis caused by severe hypertriglyceridemia in a 61-year-old man on a carnivore diet

Peter Squire, Mahua Ghosh

10.1503/cmaj.250499
View Publication

Alopécie androgénogénétique chez la femme

Eric McMullen, Ammar Saed Aldien, Cathryn Sibbald, Jeffrey Donovan

10.1503/cmaj.251058-f
View Publication

Ophthalmoplegia and gaze-evoked nystagmus in Wernicke encephalopathy

Akari Abe, Shogo Shirota

10.1503/cmaj.252084
View Publication

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to publish?

Initial decision to review within one week. Publication date for embargoed articles is usually 12:01 am ET on a Monday.

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Is a cover letter required?

A cover letter is required at first submission for all article types. It should provide context for the manuscript within the existing medical landscape and literature, explain why the manuscript should be published in CMAJ, state the specific contributions of each author, and justify additional authors when the author count exceeds the limit for the article type.

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What are the publication costs?

Payment of a publication fee is required for guidelines and must be negotiated separately with the publisher in advance of submission. Supplements also require a negotiated publication fee.

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Research Topics

Primary Care and Health Outcomes Healthcare Policy and Management Global Health Workforce Issues Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life Health and Medical Research Impacts Pharmaceutical industry and healthcare Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology Health and Conflict Studies Clinical practice guidelines implementation Empathy and Medical Education Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues Healthcare Systems and Challenges Diversity and Career in Medicine Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy Healthcare cost, quality, practices Child and Adolescent Health Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Innovations in Medical Education Medical Malpractice and Liability Issues Cardiac, Anesthesia and Surgical Outcomes Ethics in medical practice Health Services Management and Policy Disaster Response and Management Healthcare Systems and Practices Health, Medicine and Society

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