Article Types
When sending either new manuscripts or presubmission inquiries to the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), authors must classify their submissions as one of the article types described below.
Note, however, that these guidelines are intended for initial submissions to NEJM; if a paper is selected for revision and potential acceptance for publication, NEJM will likely request updated materials that adhere to much stricter guidelines for print and online publications.
Most article types are subject to peer review, and certain article types — such as reviews and editorials — are usually solicited by NEJM editors, though unsolicited submissions may be considered.
Authorship
All individuals meeting International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) criteria for article authorship must be named as article authors. There are no limits to the number of authors that can be submitted with manuscripts except for Letters to the Editor (maximum of three (3) authors) and Images in Clinical Medicine (maximum of two (2) authors).
Word-Count Limits
Manuscript word-count limits cited below include all information from introduction through conclusion or discussion. They exclude: abstracts, figure legends, and table notes. Manuscripts far exceeding word-count limits will be returned unread.
Original Research
Original Article
Reports scientific results of original clinical research.
See Example
Maximum words: 2,700
Elements:
- Abstract
- Maximum of five (5) tables and figures
- Up to 40 references
Special Article
Reports scientific results of original research in such areas as economic policy, ethics, law, and health care delivery.
See Example
Maximum words: 2,700
Elements:
- Abstract
- Maximum of five (5) tables and figures
- Up to 40 references
Clinical Cases
Brief Report
Describes one to three (1–3) patients or a single family.
See Example
Maximum words: 2,000
Elements:
- Summary (100 words maximum)
- Maximum of three (3) tables and figures
- Up to 25 references
Clinical Problem Solving
Simulates step-by-step emergence of information/developments in clinical practice and describes how clinicians/clinical teams reason and respond in each iteration.
See Example
Maximum words: 2,500
Elements:
- Up to 15 references
Review Articles
Because the essence of review articles is selection and interpretation of existing literature, NEJM expects that authors of such articles will not have significant financial associations (conflicts of interest) with companies or their competitors making any of the products discussed.
Note: Presubmission Inquiry is strongly recommended if a proposed review has not been solicited by a NEJM editor.
Clinical Practice Review
Offers evidence-based review of topics relevant to practicing primary care and specialist physicians (but written for general audience, so may include material considered too introductory for specialists).
See Example
Maximum words: 2,500
Elements:
Must State:
- Clinical problem
- Strategies and evidence
- Areas of uncertainty
- Guidelines from professional societies
- Authors’ conclusions and recommendations
May Contain:
- Small number of tables and figures
- Up to 50 references
Other Review
Offers evidence-based review covering a wide variety of potential clinical and mechanistic subjects.
See Example
Maximum words: 3,000
Elements:
- Maximum of five (5) figures and tables
- Up to 75 references
Commentary
Editorial
Offers commentary and analysis on a current-issue NEJM article.
See Example
Maximum words: 750
Elements:
- Maximum of one (1) figure or table
- Up to 10 references
Perspective
Covers timely, relevant topics in health care and medicine in a brief, accessible style.
See Example
Maximum words: 1,200
Elements:
- Usually include one (1) figure or table
- Maximum of five (5) references
Clinical Implications of Basic Research
Discusses a single preclinical journal paper, explaining findings and commenting on possible clinical applications. Authors may not write commentary on their own work.
See Example
Maximum words: 750
Elements:
- May include one (1) figure
- Maximum of five (5) references
Letter to the Editor
Comment on recently published NEJM articles, novel cases, or other topics of current interest to the medical science and health care communities.
Maximum words: 175/400
- When in reference to a NEJM article published within most recent three (3) weeks: 175
- When not in reference to a recent NEJM article: 400
Elements:
- See specific instructions for Letters to the Editor
Visual Articles
Images in Clinical Medicine
Classic images — either static or video — displaying medical conditions that capture the sense of visual discovery and variety that physicians experience in clinical practice.
Important! This article type is not intended as a vehicle for case reports.
See Example
Maximum words: N/A
Elements:
- See specific instructions for Images in Clinical Medicine
Videos in Clinical Medicine
Videos illustrating and explaining common procedures.
Important! Please contact NEJM editors with proposals for videos in clinical medicine.
See Example
Maximum words: N/A
Other
Special Report
Addresses miscellaneous topics of special interest to the medical community.
See Example
Maximum words: 2,700
Elements:
- Up to five (5) display items
- Maximum of 40 references
Health Law, Ethics, and Human Rights or Health Policy Report
Descriptions of major court cases, policy statements, or areas of health policy.
Important! Please contact NEJM editors before submitting one of these articles.
See Example
Maximum words: 2,500
Medicine and Society
Covers social aspects of medicine and health care, including medical sociology, anthropology, history, and ethics.
See Example
Maximum words: 2,000
Sounding Board
Offers opinion or commentary often focusing on health-policy issues; like an editorial, but not tied to current issue articles.
See Example
Maximum words: 2,000
Important! NEJM no longer accepts Book Reviews or Filler Photographs.
