Overview
Submission Instructions
Recent Publications
Frequently Asked Questions
Research Topics
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The Journal of Pain and Symptom Management is an internationally respected, peer-reviewed journal serving an interdisciplinary audience with clinical research and best practices related to relief of illness burden in patients with serious or life-threatening illness. It is the official journal of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and the National Alliance for Care at Home, with strong coverage of palliative care research including clinical trials, symptom control therapies, epidemiology, end-of-life care, instrument development, health services studies, reviews, case series, case reports, and special articles.
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Impact Factor
3.5
Quartile
Q2
Open Access Type
Hybrid
ISSN
0885-3924
eISSN
1873-6513
Invitation Only
No
Cost Range
Open Access APC: USD 4,760 (excluding taxes); subscription publication: no publication fee charged to authors.
Submission Instructions
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management accepts the following article types. Click on an article type to view submission instructions.
Original Articles
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required as part of the submission. The cover letter must confirm that submission is approved by all authors and by the responsible authorities where the work was carried out.
Abstract
Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript
Original Articles must not exceed 3500 words excluding the abstract and references. Original Articles must be divided into the headings Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Disclosures and Acknowledgments, and References. The manuscript must include a Key Message statement of no more than 50 words, up to 6 keywords after the abstract, a Disclosure/Conflict of Interest section before the references, and an AI disclosure section before the references if generative AI was used.
References
References must be numbered in order of first use, cited in the text with Arabic numerals in parentheses, list all authors when there are five or fewer and the first three followed by et al. when there are six or more, use Index Medicus journal abbreviations, and include inclusive page numbers.
Figures & Tables
All figures and tables must be uploaded as separate items rather than embedded only in the manuscript text. Figures and tables must be numbered in the order cited in the text, every figure and table must be cited in the text, figures must include separate legends or captions, and tables must include titles, descriptions, and footnotes.
Review Articles
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required as part of the submission.
Abstract
A structured abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 250 words. Abstract must be structured. Abstract must use the headings Context, Objectives, Methods, Results, and Conclusion.
Manuscript
Manuscript must not exceed 7000 words. Manuscript must include a Key Message statement of no more than 50 words, up to 6 keywords after the abstract, a Disclosure/Conflict of Interest section before the references, and an AI disclosure section before the references if generative AI was used.
References
References must be numbered in order of first citation with Arabic numerals in parentheses, list all authors when there are five or fewer and the first three followed by et al. when there are six or more, use Index Medicus journal abbreviations, and include inclusive page numbers.
Figures & Tables
Figures and tables must be uploaded as separate files rather than embedded only in the manuscript text. Figures and tables must be cited in the text, figures must include separate captions or legends, and tables must include titles, descriptions, and footnotes.
Brief Reports
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required. The cover letter must include approval of the submission by all authors and by the responsible authorities where the work was carried out.
Abstract
Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript
Brief Reports must not exceed 2500 words, excluding the abstract and references. Brief Reports must be divided into the headings Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Disclosures and Acknowledgments, and References. The manuscript must include a Key Message statement of no more than 50 words, up to 6 keywords after the abstract, a running title of no more than 45 characters and spaces, a Disclosure/Conflict of Interest section before the references, and an AI disclosure section before the references if generative AI was used.
References
References must be numbered in order of first citation, cited in the text with Arabic numerals in parentheses, list all authors when there are five or fewer or the first three followed by et al. when there are six or more, and use Index Medicus journal abbreviations with inclusive page numbers.
Figures & Tables
All figures and tables must be uploaded as separate files with their captions, titles, descriptions, or footnotes as applicable. Figures and tables must be numbered in order of appearance and every figure and table must be cited in the text.
Clinical Notes
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required as a submission item. Cover letter content requirements are not explicitly stated.
Abstract
An abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 250 words. Abstract may be either structured or narrative.
Manuscript
Manuscript must not exceed 2500 words excluding the abstract and references. Clinical Notes may use the suggested headings Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Disclosures and Acknowledgments, and References. A Key Message statement of no more than 50 words, up to 6 keywords after the abstract, a Disclosure/Conflict of Interest section after the text and before the references, and an AI-use disclosure section before the references are required when applicable.
References
References must be numbered in order of first use, cited in the text with Arabic numerals in parentheses, and list all authors if there are five or fewer or the first three authors followed by et al. if there are six or more.
Figures & Tables
All figures and tables must be uploaded as separate submission items rather than embedded only in the manuscript text. Figures and tables must be cited in the text, figures must include captions or separate legends, and tables must include titles, descriptions, and footnotes.
Palliative Care Rounds
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required as part of the submission. The cover letter must confirm that the submission has been approved by all authors and by the responsible authorities where the work was carried out.
Abstract
An abstract is required for Palliative Care Rounds. The abstract must not exceed 250 words. The abstract may be either structured or narrative.
Manuscript
The manuscript must not exceed 2500 words, excluding references. Suggested headings are Introduction, Case Description, Discussion, and References. The manuscript must include a Key Message statement of no more than 50 words, up to 6 keywords after the abstract, a Disclosure/Conflict of Interest section after the text and before the references, and if AI tools were used, a disclosure statement in a new section before the references list.
References
References must be numbered in order of first use in the text, cited with Arabic numerals in parentheses, list all authors when there are five or fewer and the first three followed by et al. when there are six or more, and not be alphabetized.
Figures & Tables
All figures and tables must be uploaded as separate files rather than embedded in the manuscript text. Figures must include separate captions and be cited in the text, and tables must include a brief title, any needed footnotes, and be cited in the text.
Letters
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required for submission. The cover letter must include approval of the submission by all authors and by the responsible authorities where the work was carried out.
Abstract
Letters must not include an abstract.
Manuscript
Letters must not exceed 1250 words, excluding references. Letters must begin with "To the Editor." A Key Message statement limited to 50 words, up to 6 keywords after the abstract, a running title of no more than 45 characters and spaces, and an AI disclosure section before the references if generative AI was used are required.
References
Letters should include no more than 10 references. References must be numbered in order of first use in the text, cited with Arabic numerals in parentheses, list all authors when there are five or fewer and the first three followed by et al. when there are six or more, and use Index Medicus journal abbreviations.
Figures & Tables
Letters should include no more than one table or figure. Figures and tables must be uploaded as submission files rather than embedded requirements being stated otherwise. Each figure and table must be cited in the text and include its required captioning elements, with figures carrying captions and tables carrying titles, descriptions, and footnotes.
Recent Publications
Facilitators and barriers to volunteers’ involvement in palliative care: A qualitative meta-synthesis
Yuxuan Zhang, Wei Zhao, Hui Zhang, Yuqing Dai, Zixuan Liu, Yu Sheng
10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2026.06.011
View Publication
Losing my religion: The fading role of capital-R research
David Casarett
10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2026.06.005
View Publication
Building a Career in a Hospice and Palliative Medicine Research: Advice for Early Investigators
Erica C. Kaye, Sarah H. Cross, Lauren Hunt, Ashwin Kotwal, Laura Petrillo, Daniel Shalev, Rekha Thammana, Krista L. Harrison
10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2026.05.022
View Publication
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to publish?
6 days from submission to first decision; 46 days from submission to decision after review; 92 days from submission to acceptance; 8 days from acceptance to first online publication.
Reformat to Journal of Pain and Symptom Management using Livewrite PremiumIs a cover letter required?
Submission items include a cover letter and all elements of the manuscript. Submission declaration information may be included in the cover letter.
Reformat to Journal of Pain and Symptom Management using Livewrite PremiumWhat are the publication costs?
Open Access APC: USD 4,760 (excluding taxes). Subscription publication has no publication fee charged to authors.
Reformat to Journal of Pain and Symptom Management using Livewrite PremiumResearch Topics
Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues
Pain Management and Opioid Use
Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
Cancer survivorship and care
Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
Ethics in medical practice
Pediatric Pain Management Techniques
Family and Patient Care in Intensive Care Units
Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes
Patient Dignity and Privacy
Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare
Ethics and Legal Issues in Pediatric Healthcare
Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
Anesthesia and Pain Management
Diverse Scientific and Economic Studies
Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life
Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
Family Support in Illness
Pharmacological Effects and Toxicity Studies
Pain Management and Placebo Effect
Intensive Care Unit Cognitive Disorders
Interprofessional Education and Collaboration
Frailty in Older Adults
Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology