Overview
Submission Instructions
Recent Publications
Frequently Asked Questions
Research Topics
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PLOS Medicine is an open-access medical journal with online ISSN 1549-1676 that publishes article types including Research Articles, Perspectives, and Editorials.
Looking to publish in PLOS Medicine? Livewrite integrates seamlessly with Word to help you write, edit, and format faster.
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Subject
Medicine, General & Internal
Impact Factor
9.9
Quartile
Q1
Open Access Type
Open
ISSN
1549-1277
eISSN
1549-1676
Invitation Only
No
Cost Range
Publication fees apply; PLOS publication fees, funding initiatives, and fee assistance information are provided centrally.
Submission Instructions
PLOS Medicine accepts the following article types. Click on an article type to view submission instructions.
Guidelines And Guidance
Cover Letter
A separate cover letter is required. The cover letter must explain why the manuscript is suitable for publication and how it will inspire researchers or clinicians and improve patient care, public health, or understanding of disease.
Abstract
Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript
Manuscript should not exceed 3000 words, and if the full article is longer than 3000 words, a 3000-word summary must be prepared while the long version is uploaded as Supporting Information. Manuscript must include explicit details on panel or expert selection, nonparticipation, workshop conduct, how agreement was reached, how dissenting views were considered, unresolved issues, and a frank discussion of the strengths and limitations of the processes used. An Author Summary for general readers is required, and if the full article exceeds 3000 words the long version must be uploaded as a Supporting Information file.
References
References may total up to 30. References must follow Vancouver style. References must be numbered in the order of appearance, cited in square brackets, and list the first six authors followed by et al. when applicable.
Figures & Tables
Figures should be embedded in read order immediately after first mention with captions in the manuscript text, and tables must be placed directly after the paragraph where first cited rather than submitted separately.
Editorials
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript
Manuscript requirements are not specified.
References
References must follow Vancouver style. References must be numbered in the order of appearance, cited in square brackets in the text, and list the first six authors followed by et al. when applicable.
Figures & Tables
Figures should be placed in read order immediately after first mention with captions in the manuscript, and tables must be placed directly after the paragraph where first cited. Figure captions must use Arabic numerals with Fig abbreviated and tables must have a label and brief descriptive title above the table.
Perspectives
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required. The cover letter must explain why the manuscript is suitable for publication and how it will inspire researchers or clinicians and improve patient care, public health, or understanding of disease.
Abstract
Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript
Perspective articles must be no more than 1000 words long. An Author Summary written for general readers must be included.
References
Perspective articles may cite no more than 12 references. References must follow Vancouver style. References must be numbered in the order of appearance, cited in square brackets in the text, and list the first six authors followed by et al. when applicable.
Figures & Tables
Perspective articles may include no more than one display item. Figures should be embedded in read order immediately after first citation and tables should be placed directly after the paragraph where first cited.
Policy Forum
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required as a separate file. Cover letter must explain why the manuscript is suitable for publication and how it will inspire researchers or clinicians and improve patient care, public health, or understanding of disease.
Abstract
Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript
Policy Forum articles should not exceed 2000 words. Policy Forum articles discussing a particular health policy proposal must provide background on why the policy is needed, outline the proposal and supporting evidence, and describe implementation challenges. An Author Summary written for general readers must be published with the article.
References
Policy Forum articles may cite up to 30 references. References must follow Vancouver style. References must be numbered in the order cited, cited in square brackets in the text, and formatted using the first six authors followed by et al.
Figures & Tables
Figures should be placed in read order immediately after the paragraph where first mentioned with captions in the manuscript, and tables must be placed directly after the paragraph where first cited. Tables and figures central to the article must be included in the main paper.
Recent Publications
Putting It Together: AIDS and the Millennium Development Goals
Robert Hecht, Anita Alban, Kate Taylor, Sarah Post, Nina B. Andersen, Ryan Schwarz
10.1371/journal.pmed.0040455
View Publication
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to publish?
A decision on Publication Fee Assistance is usually sent within 10 business days.
Reformat to PLOS Medicine using Livewrite PremiumIs a cover letter required?
A cover letter is required as a separate file in the online system. It should explain why the manuscript is suitable for publication in PLOS Medicine and why the study will inspire researchers or clinicians and improve patient care, public health, or understanding of disease.
Reformat to PLOS Medicine using Livewrite PremiumWhat are the publication costs?
Publication fees apply; PLOS publication fees, funding initiatives, and fee assistance information are provided centrally.
Reformat to PLOS Medicine using Livewrite PremiumResearch Topics
Global Maternal and Child Health
HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life
Malaria Research and Control
Child Nutrition and Water Access
Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology
HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
Mosquito-borne diseases and control
Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
HIV Research and Treatment
Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
Health disparities and outcomes
COVID-19 epidemiological studies
Pharmaceutical industry and healthcare
Healthcare Systems and Reforms
Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy
Global Health Care Issues
Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
Birth, Development, and Health
Ethics in Clinical Research
Nutritional Studies and Diet
HIV/AIDS drug development and treatment
Influenza Virus Research Studies
Migration, Health and Trauma