Section Policy
Before preparing your manuscript, please carefully read the instructions corresponding to the type of contribution you wish to submit.
Manuscripts must be submitted in Word (.docx) format and prepared using the template corresponding to each section, available for download on this website. The templates establish the formatting and structural requirements, including font type and size, margins, line spacing, and the required sections for each type of contribution. Manuscripts submitted as PDF files or in formats other than those specified will not be accepted.
Use of the appropriate template and compliance with its instructions are technical requirements for initiating the editorial process. Manuscripts that do not meet these requirements may be returned to the authors for correction before editorial evaluation begins.
All authors must review and approve the final version of the manuscript before submission. Manuscripts with deficiencies in formatting, structure, spelling, or writing may be returned during the initial editorial review, before being sent for peer review.
Original Articles
This section publishes previously unpublished results of original quantitative or qualitative research related to the different medical specialties and related fields. Manuscripts should provide relevant scientific evidence, present a clearly described methodology, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge, clinical practice, or health care.
Suggested length: 3,000 words; maximum length: 4,500 words, excluding the abstract, keywords, references, and graphical materials. Manuscripts may include up to 5 graphical materials (infographics, illustrations, diagrams, or tables), which must be original, self-explanatory, and submitted in an editable format. Images obtained from the Internet or previously published materials will not be accepted. Authors are encouraged to include 24 to 40 references, at least 70% of which should have been published within the last five years and retrieved from reliable databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane, among others). All cited references must include a DOI and follow Vancouver style, with citations presented as superscript numbers.¹
Special Articles
This section is intended for theoretical analyses, academic or institutional positions, methodological proposals, critical reflections, and other works of interest to the medical specialties. Manuscripts address topics relevant to clinical medicine, professional training, or public health policy. They may include theoretical analyses, institutional positions, innovative experiences, methodological proposals, or critical reflections supported by scientific evidence or relevant theoretical frameworks.
Anecdotal texts or documents lacking bibliographic or methodological support are not accepted.
The suggested length is 2000 to 3000 words, not including abstract, keywords, references, or graphic resources. Up to 5 graphic resources (infographics, illustrations, diagrams, or tables) should be included, original, self-explanatory, and submitted in editable format. Images taken from the internet or previously published material will not be accepted. It is recommended to include between 20 and 40 references, with at least 70% published in the last five years, from reliable databases (PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Cochrane, among others). All citations must have a DOI and follow the Vancouver format with superscript.¹
Case Reports
This section publishes unique or particularly noteworthy clinical cases that provide relevant elements for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, follow-up, or clinical learning. Manuscripts must clearly and systematically document relevant clinical situations, such as unusual diagnoses, atypical treatment responses, significant adverse effects, diagnostic errors with educational value, or clinical dilemmas with ethical or therapeutic implications. Manuscripts must provide substantive clinical, ethical, or epidemiological learning. Anecdotal descriptions or common conditions without critical analysis or educational value are not accepted.
It is recommended to follow the international CARE guideline for presenting case reports and to attach the corresponding checklist as supplementary material. Available at: https://www.care-statement.org
All manuscripts must comply with current ethical requirements:
- Written informed consent, signed by the patient or their legal representative.
- Approval by an ethics committee, including the committee's name, approval number, and date (when applicable).
- Strict protection of patient identity in the text and in graphic resources.
Images, studies, diagrams, or tables must be original, unpublished, and self-explanatory. Reproductions of electronic health records or previously published materials will not be accepted.
The suggested length is 1500 to 2000 words, not including abstract, keywords, references, or graphic resources. Up to 3 graphic resources (infographics, illustrations, diagrams, or tables) should be included, original, self-explanatory, and submitted in editable format. Images taken from the internet or previously published material will not be accepted. It is recommended to include between 15 and 25 references, with at least 70% published in the last five years, from reliable databases (PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Cochrane, among others). All citations must have a DOI and follow the Vancouver format with superscript.¹
Letters to the Editor
This section is a brief contribution addressed to the journal's editor, intended to comment on, analyze, or discuss previously published articles, or to present academic observations relevant to the scientific community. Arguments must be supported by scientific evidence and maintain a clear and specific focus.
Letters commenting on published articles may be sent to the authors of the original work for their response.
The suggested length is 800 words, without references or graphic resources. Up to 1 graphic resource (infographics, illustrations, diagrams, or tables) should be included, original, self-explanatory, and submitted in editable format. Images taken from the internet or previously published material will not be accepted. It is recommended to include up to 10 references, with at least 70% published in the last five years, from reliable databases (PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Cochrane, among others). All citations must have a DOI and follow the Vancouver format with superscript.¹
Brief Communication
This section is intended for reporting pilot studies, preliminary findings, or methodological innovations that provide relevant information for the advancement of scientific knowledge. Manuscripts must present results clearly, concisely, and with sound justification.
The suggested length is 1500 words, not including abstract, keywords, references, or graphic resources. Up to 3 graphic resources (infographics, illustrations, diagrams, or tables) should be included, original, self-explanatory, and submitted in editable format. Images taken from the internet or previously published material will not be accepted. It is recommended to include between 10 and 20 references, with at least 70% published in the last five years, from reliable databases (PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Cochrane, among others). All citations must have a DOI and follow the Vancouver format with superscript.¹
Patient Communication
This section publishes educational content aimed at patients, family members, and the non-specialized public on topics related to health, disease prevention, self-care, treatment, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles.
Texts must be supported by scientific evidence and written in clear, accessible, and understandable language, avoiding unnecessary technical jargon and promoting the appropriate communication of medical knowledge.
The suggested length is up to 1500 words, not including references or graphic resources. Between 3 and 5 graphic resources (infographics, illustrations, diagrams, or tables) should be included, original, self-explanatory, and submitted in editable format. Images taken from the internet or previously published material will not be accepted. It is recommended to include between 5 and 15 references, with at least 70% published in the last five years, from reliable databases (PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Cochrane, among others). All citations must have a DOI and follow the Vancouver format with superscript.¹
Patient Communication Template
Narrative Reviews
This section publishes critical, up-to-date syntheses of the scientific literature on topics relevant to the various medical specialties. Manuscripts must clearly present the strategy used for literature search and selection and offer a well-founded analysis of the available evidence.
The suggested length is 3000 to 6000 words, not including abstract, keywords, references, or graphic resources. Se deben incluir hasta 3 recursos gráficos (infografías, ilustraciones, esquemas o tablas), originales, autoexplicativos y entregados en formato editable. No se aceptarán imágenes tomadas de internet ni materiales previamente publicados. It is recommended to include between 30 and 60 references, with at least 70% published in the last five years, from reliable databases (PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Cochrane, among others). All citations must have a DOI and follow the Vancouver format with superscript.¹