Strategies to successfully publish your first manuscript

Applying published evidence is fundamental to the practice of medicine. However, the steps needed to undertake scientific research and generate a manuscript of publishable quality are often overwhelming for junior doctors. Undertaking research and publishing these findings are complementary. Clinicians often present research at college or scientific meetings as oral or poster presentations. Yet despite this, most research is not subsequently submitted for peer review publication in a scientific journal. Reasons put forward for research not being published include lack of time, ongoing study, difficulties with co-authors and a negative study. A lack of experience in the actual process of writing and publishing is also likely to be a contributing factor. The steps required in writing a successful manuscript are multiple and clinicians often lack awareness of the specific formatting requirements for submission to a scientific journal such as JMIRO. The aim of this article is to provide information for clinicians inexperienced in writing and submitting a manuscript with the intent of achieving a publication. It is not meant to be a step-by-step recipe in doing this but a guide as to what is required.