As a clinician, you face unique challenges when you want to publish your research. Here is a checklist of important items to keep in mind while preparing and submitting your manuscript.
Identify a clinically important research question based on your review of the primary literature and systematic reviews/meta-analyses.
Always obtain informed consent from participants and publically register all clinical trials before you begin.
Consult with a statistician to ensure you properly analyze your data.
Use reporting guidelines (www.equator-network.org) to help logically structure your ideas throughout the manuscript.
Write a cover letter to communicate the significance and clinical relevance of your study.
If required by your target journal, fill out additional forms related to reporting guidelines (e.g., CONSORT, STROBE, etc.), conflicts of interest, authorship, and/or informed consent.
