As a freelance medical writer for over a decade now, I’ve been asked hundreds of times to write, edit and publish academic work. And always there are a few nutty queries. Queries that make me bang my head on the wall. So, here’s my advice on publishing in academic medicine. I hope it clears a few myths.
1. Know The Study
For people who are doing the research, they know what they’re doing. They’ve already figured out the type of project and where it’s going to be submitted. However, for many folks who are using “other” people’s data, they have no idea what they’re publishing. Is this a clinical trial or a case report? Know the difference between a cross-sectional study, case, report, cohort study and clinical trial. The writing guidelines are different for all. Know what your project is.
2. Writing Takes Time
I once had a request for a systematic review in 10 days. Ten days!!!! 🙄 No paper can be written in just ten days. Why? That’s because graphs, charts, diagrams have to be made. Images need permissions and signed releases. The data has to be analyzed. For every line that goes into a paper, ten other papers have to be read and quoted to support the argument you’re making. The bibliography alone takes days to prepare and counter-check. It will takes months to get your paper out.
3. Identify the Journal
I say this to every client, doctor, student, researcher, please write to specifications. One paper cannot fit all the journals out there. The paper must be “written to spec.” Different journals have different referencing styles, citation styles and rules for images, and layout. You have to write the article for publication in that particular journal. So identify the journal. Download their guidelines and then start writing.
4. Use Referencing Software
Writing the paper is easy, referencing is hard. When you quote your source, each page number, author, journal, date of publication, edition, issue number has to go into the reference. You cannot do it all manually and so you need a citation software that can populate that data for you. It will make life much easier and count down the time taken to reference. Yes, you have to pay for it. 😏
5. Do Some Actual Research
I’m amazed by how many people do nothing but want a paper using everyone else’s data. You have to do something with that data. Postulate a theory, run a program, have some of your own numbers, figures and ideas. There’s a boatload of people today who just want to review all the data out there and publish. Despite that, you need to postulate something before we treat the data. We know for everyone using an EMR, there’s a deluge of data. In fact, we have too much data. There’s a goldmine in them for everyone who wants to do a research project. Use it.
6. Edit, edit, edit
I cannot stress this enough. Have each author edit the work. Repeatedly. It’s important that you go over each fact, figure, superscript with a fine tooth comb. Put it aside for a week and edit again. You’ll be surprised by the errors journals find and you don’t want to embarrass yourself.
7. Mentor Review
Most projects are reviewed by a mentor. Have your mentor review your paper. This is the closest thing to a peer review before the journal submission. A mentor will also have a more objective, unbiased view. Take their suggestions and implement them. Don’t be offended about the criticisms. Be grateful, you’ve caught them now.
8. Publication Takes Months
Once your paper is submitted, it’s going to be reviewed. By many people. Some will be harsh, others may be critical, but they will tell you what to improve. No paper is perfect. It will come back with edits. The peers all want to support your research and will give you pointers to strengthen your argument. Don’t get mad about it. I’ve had many clients who never resubmit their paper because they take the rejection or the criticism too personally. All this takes time. Months. There will be plenty of back and forth. So be willing to wait.
9. Pay your team
I’m amazed by how many people want a through, concise well written paper that takes days to research and write and then don’t want to pay the team that writes, edits, and submits the paper. It takes hundreds of hours to put together a paper. The number of supporting papers that a writer has to read can literally blind them 😂 or make them myopic. Pay for good work.
10. Acknowledge every contribution
What’s even worse, is people who will not acknowledge the effort of everyone who contributes. Many journals have a limit on the number of authors since everyone from the Chairperson, to the medical student, intends to be named on a successful paper. However, an acknowledgement section where you can mention everyone’s contribution. This takes nothing away from you as a successful author.
What are your pet peeves?
I have horror and funny stories about publishing in academic medicine. I could write a book on that alone. Maybe I should. Nah, I’m kidding. There’s nothing that gets me happier than seeing my paper or a poster get accepted for a client. What are some of your pet peeves when it comes publishing in academic medicine?