Guidelines for authors

Manuscripts submitted for evaluation by the e-Journal Praxis de la Medicina (e-Rev. P. Med.) address topics related to human medicine, veterinary medicine, and related fields, promoting the comprehensive and integrative One Health approach. Therefore, the journal is aimed at physicians, veterinarians, and professionals in the health sciences in general.

Manuscripts must meet the following requirements: originality and relevance of content within their disciplinary field; clarity of presentation, coherent argumentation, and linguistic correctness; methodological rigor and adequate bibliographic support; as well as a substantial contribution to scientific or professional knowledge.

The journal accepts submissions within the following lines of research and thematic areas of knowledge (Scope):

1. Clinical and Surgical Medicine

This includes studies on the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of pathologies in adults, children, and small and large veterinary animals. It includes research in medical specialties (Cardiology, Neurology, etc.), innovative human and veterinary surgical techniques, reproductive medicine, pediatrics, oncology, nutrition, and the management of critically ill or emergency patients.

2. Nursing and Care Management

This area focuses on advancing scientific knowledge of human care and veterinary technical assistance. It includes clinical practice at all levels of care, patient safety, service management, ethics of care, and the development of new methodologies for home, community, and hospital care.

3. Bioanalysis and Diagnostic Sciences

This area is dedicated to research on auxiliary diagnostic methods. It encompasses studies in microbiology, immunology, hematology, clinical biochemistry, and toxicology. Research in diagnostic imaging (radiology, ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, etc.) applied to human and animal health is included. Priority is given to work on molecular diagnostics, genomic medicine, and the optimization of processes in clinical laboratories, blood banks, and diagnostic imaging services, in both human and veterinary settings.

4. Infectious Diseases, Parasitology, and Global Health

This section is dedicated to the study of infectious diseases from a clinical, biological, and population perspective. It includes: Parasitology and Tropical Diseases: Diagnosis, life cycles and treatment of endemic parasitosis; Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases: Addressing outbreaks, emerging viruses (with special emphasis on Zoonoses) and pandemic preparedness; Antimicrobial Resistance: Studies on the evolution of resistance in bacteria, fungi and parasites; as well as Global Health: Impact of climate change on health, migrations and transboundary diseases of animals, and international disease control programs.

5. Oral Health and Dentistry

Includes original research in all areas of oral health, from preventive and community dentistry to complex oral rehabilitation procedures, orthodontics, maxillofacial surgery, and veterinary dentistry, as well as the study of pathologies and systemic manifestations in the oral cavity.

6. Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences

Dedicated to publishing studies on physiotherapy, kinesiology, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology. It focuses on the comprehensive rehabilitation of patients with motor, cognitive, or sensory impairments, as well as biomechanics, ergonomics, functional inclusion, and veterinary physical therapy/rehabilitation.

7. Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences

Accepts submissions on clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and psychiatry. It focuses on research addressing mental disorders, community mental health, evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions, and the study of human behavior in relation to the health-disease process, clinical ethology, and the impact of the human-animal bond.

8. Pharmaceutical Sciences

It encompasses the comprehensive study of medicines: from their design and pharmaceutical technology to their clinical use. This includes pharmacology, pharmacovigilance, pharmaceutical care, rational use of medicines, hospital pharmacy, veterinary pharmacology, phytopharmaceuticals, and bionanotechnology applied to health.

9. Public Health, Management, and Policy

It focuses on the analysis of health at the population level. This includes epidemiological studies, applied biostatistics, health economics, health services management, public policy, environmental and occupational health, veterinary public health (including food safety), epidemiological control of diseases of animal origin, and work on equity and access to health systems.

10. Education and Technology in Health

Dedicated to pedagogical innovation in the training of human and animal health professionals (undergraduate and postgraduate). It also accepts submissions on Digital Health (eHealth), telemedicine, the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare practice, and the development of technological medical devices.

11. Bioethics, Ethics, and Research

Focuses on the ethical dilemmas of clinical practice and research with human subjects and animal models. It also includes articles on animal welfare in research and ethics in biological experimentation, scientific integrity, research methodology, and critical analysis of contemporary bioethical regulations, as well as systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Authors may submit their work in the formats described below, provided it falls within one of the thematic areas mentioned above.

General Manuscript Presentation

Title: concise, specific, and without abbreviations. It must be written in two languages ​​(Spanish and/or English and/or Portuguese).

Authors: full name of the author(s).

Name of department or institution: the place where the author was affiliated during the preparation of the work, as well as the city and country. If the author is an independent researcher, this should be indicated.

ORCID address: which can be obtained free of charge at the following link: https://orcid.org/

Abstract: Quickly and accurately communicates the article's core content without requiring reference to the rest of the information. It must be written in two languages ​​(Spanish and/or English and/or Portuguese).

Keywords: No more than six (6) keywords are required. General terms should be avoided. They must be written in two languages ​​and recognized by the Medical Subject Headings (DSH) database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, available at: https://meshb-prev.nlm.nih.gov/search, or by the DeCS (Health Sciences Descriptors) database of the BIREME library, available at: https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/

Manuscript Structure: Depends on the type of article being published. All pages, tables, graphs, and figures must be numbered.

Acknowledgments: These are optional. Express your gratitude only to individuals and institutions that made substantial contributions to the manuscript. If applicable, list the individuals or institutions that provided assistance during the research process. Include in this section any institutions that funded the study.

References: in Vancouver format (see the reference guidelines provided in the journal archives).

2. General Guidelines for Authors

The journal promotes maximum transparency and reproducibility in published research. Therefore, explicit declaration of all software used in the research process is required. Authors are encouraged to consider specialized tools or the statistical program best suited to their research, as well as the use of VOSVIEWER for bibliometric analysis or ATLAS.ti for qualitative research, among others that enhance the rigor and clarity of their studies.

2.1 International System of Units and Nomenclature

The e-Rev. P. Med adopts the International System of Units (SI) as its mandatory standard. The precise use of the seven SI base units and their derivatives, along with the corresponding prefixes, is required, following the guidelines of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) (www.bipm.org). The correct application of symbols, nomenclature, and the precise expression of numerical values ​​are crucial to ensure uniformity and facilitate scientific communication on a global scale.

2.2 Number Format and Decimal Separation

To ensure consistency in data presentation, whole numbers with more than four digits should be grouped in triplets separated by thin spaces (e.g., 1000), in accordance with ISO 80000-1. For decimal separation, commas should be used for manuscripts in Spanish and Portuguese (e.g., 10.50) (https://blog.ansi.org/iso-80000-1-2022-quantities-and-units/), and periods for those in English. This distinction ensures clarity and precision in the interpretation of the presented data.

2.3 Title

The title of an academic document transcends mere labeling. It represents the first impression or the calling card that invites or discourages the reader. Its primary function is to convey the essence of the study, offering a clear and concise overview of the content. A well-conceived title acts as a beacon, guiding the reader toward the relevance and value of the work.

2.3.1 Clarity and Precision: These are fundamental pillars in constructing an effective title. It is recommended to avoid information overload, opting for a length of between 15 and 20 words. Likewise, it is advisable to avoid acronyms and abbreviations unless their use is strictly necessary and universally recognized. The language should be formal, appropriate for the academic field, avoiding colloquial expressions, ambiguities, or rhetorical devices that could distract from the main message.

2.3.2 Presentation Guidelines and Style: The title presentation must adhere to the stylistic guidelines established by the journal. It should be concise, specific, and without abbreviations. It must be written in two languages ​​(Spanish and/or English and/or Portuguese).

2.4 Author(s)

The identification of authors in an academic document must follow certain guidelines to ensure clarity, proper acknowledgment, and correct attribution of the work. Each author is allowed one (1) main author per volume per year, and up to two (2) co-authors. The e-Rev. P. Med. reserves the right to reject candidates with a greater number of authors than stipulated in these guidelines. The following are some key guidelines to consider:

2.4.1 Identification and Order of Authorship

The first author, or main author, is generally the one who has made the greatest contribution to the work, followed by the co-authors, listed in order of importance or contribution. It is essential to provide the full names of all authors, including first and last names, as well as their institutional affiliations, detailing the institution, department or faculty, and geographic location (city and country). In addition, a corresponding author must be designated, whose email address should be included to facilitate communication. Each author must provide their ORCID number and declare any potential conflicts of interest related to the study.

2.4.2 Contributions and Authorship Roles

To ensure transparency in authorship, the CRediT taxonomy is used, which defines the roles of authors in research. These are listed in the following order: research conceptualization, data curation or organization, formal analysis, fundraising, research, methodology, project management, resources, software, supervision, validation, visualization, writing – original draft, and writing – revision and editing. Each author should be assigned the roles that correspond to their contribution, omitting those that do not apply (review the declaration of authorship and contributions provided in the journal's files).

2.5 Abstract

To ensure its maximum usefulness and global reach, the abstract must be presented in two (2) languages ​​(Spanish and/or English and/or Portuguese), with a concise length of no more than 250 words. This abstract may be structured or unstructured depending on the type of manuscript. For example, in research articles: Introduction, Objective; Methods, Results, Conclusions; as these answer the fundamental questions: What is the purpose or objective of the study? What methodology was used? What are the crucial findings? and What conclusions can be drawn?

2.5.1 Clarity, Style, and Logical Structure: Clarity and precision are the cornerstones of the abstract. The language should be direct, avoiding unnecessary technical jargon and opting for active and complete sentences. Abbreviations and external references are prohibited.

2.5.2 Relevance and Keywords: The abstract should be a true reflection of the full document, highlighting the most relevant aspects for the target audience. To facilitate indexing and database searches, three to six keywords should be included that capture the article's main themes. For selecting keywords in Spanish, the use of the BIREME Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS), available at: http://decs.bvs.br/E/homepage.html, is recommended. For keywords in English articles, the use of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh, is recommended. This ensures relevance and usefulness in information retrieval.

3. Style Guidelines

3.1 Manuscript Format and Presentation

To guarantee clarity and uniformity in the review and publication process, manuscripts must adhere to a standardized format. All submissions must be sent digitally in Microsoft Word® format. The use of Arial font, size 12, with 1.5 line spacing throughout the document is required. The margins should be 2.54 cm (1 inch) on all sides. This format ensures readability and facilitates the editing and final design process of the document.

3.2 Citation Guidelines

Direct quotations of fewer than 40 words should be enclosed in double quotation marks and numbered at the end of the block. Quotations of more than 40 words should be presented in a separate paragraph, indented 1 cm on both sides or the entire block, without quotation marks, italics, or any other type of highlighting, and numbered at the end of the block. (See the practical guide for preparing references provided in the journal's archives.)

3.2.1 Academic Integrity and Limitations on Self-Citation: To maintain academic integrity and foster an honest research environment, authors are expected to avoid inbreeding in their references, limiting self-citations to a maximum of 15%.

3.3 Bibliographic References

The Vancouver style must be used for preparing bibliographic references. According to the recommendations of the ICMJE (https://www.icmje.org/icmje-recommendations.pdf) and Citing Medicine, 2nd edition, The NLM Style Guide for Authors, Editors, and Publishers (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7256/),

60% of references must be recent, with a maximum age of five years. Furthermore, at least 30% of references must be indexed in reputable databases such as Scopus or Web of Science (WOS), among others. A maximum of 30% of non-indexed documents, such as theses, corporate reports, or websites, are permitted. According to these guidelines, bibliographic references should be numbered consecutively in the order they appear in the text, identified by Arabic numerals in parentheses. The number is placed outside the period. Example: (1). (See the practical guide for preparing references provided in the journal's archives.)

It is essential to prioritize digital references over physical ones, as this improves the accessibility and readability of manuscripts. When a reference has a digital identification number, it is recommended to use it when preparing the reference. For specific examples of this digital reference format, see the examples provided in "Citing Medicine, 2nd edition, The NLM Style Guide for Authors, Editors, and Publishers":

https://www.nlm.nih.gov/bsd/uniform_requirements.html#electronic

The e-Rev. P. Med recommends the use of bibliographic management software, such as Zotero, to standardize and maintain the quality of bibliographic references.

3.4 General Guidelines for Tables

3.4.1 Clear Structure and Numbering of Tables: Tables should be presented systematically and be easily referenced, numbered consecutively (Table 1, Table 2, etc.). Each table should have a concise and descriptive title, placed above the table and written in italics, without a period. This title should reflect the essence of the content, allowing the reader to quickly understand its purpose and relevance. Information contained in the tables should not be repeated in the text; only the most relevant observations that explain the table's content should be highlighted (Table Title, up to 150 characters).

Include a short or abbreviated heading above each column. Include the units of measurement in the title of the first column and/or row. Separate only column headings and general titles with horizontal lines. Data columns should be separated by spaces, not vertical lines. Do not use PDF or Excel formats.

Every table must have a legend that explains the meaning of all abbreviations used and provides the necessary information for interpreting the data. Cite each table in its sequential order of mention in the text.

3.4.2 Format and Data Presentation: Within the table, legibility and comprehension should be prioritized. The use of rows and columns with clear and descriptive headings is recommended, allowing the reader to easily identify the information presented. To maintain visual clarity, only horizontal borders should be used to delimit the heading, the content, and the end of the table.

3.4.3 Notes, Citations, and Sources: Explanatory, clarifying, or source notes should be placed below the table, following a specific order: general note, specific notes (identified by letters), and statistical notes (identified by symbols). If the table is based on information from another source, a complete reference must be included in the document's reference list, along with a footnote at the bottom of the table acknowledging the original source, following the citation format.

3.5 General Guidelines for Figures

3.5.1 Figure Identification and Titles: Each figure must be uniquely identified by consecutive numbering (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.), ensuring easy reference within the text. The concise and descriptive title should be placed immediately below the figure, presented in italics and without a period. Highlight only the most relevant observations in the figure. Any adjustments or use of processing software must be declared.

3.5.2 Format and Visual Clarity: The presentation of figures should prioritize clarity, with a clean and legible design where all elements, including text and labels, are easily distinguishable. In the case of graphs, the X and Y axes must be clearly labeled, allowing for an accurate interpretation of the presented data.

Figures may include graphs, drawings, and images (radiographs, histology, etc.) and must meet the following requirements:

Resolution: 1200 DPI (dots per inch)

Format: TIFF or JPEG

Size: Width = 8.9 cm (one column), or 17.8 cm (two columns)

Color: Figures may be in color, grayscale, or black and white.

Graphs: Graphs must be in Arial or Helvetica font (size 12). They may have up to 6 panels, numbered in bold capital letters. Use the same font size for graphs and panel numbering. Graphs should not include bold letters or numbers. Axes, numbers, and symbols in graphs must be clearly legible in the specified font size. Special symbols and Greek letters may be included in graphs.

Medical images and photographs: These must be of sufficient quality to allow for adequate evaluation by the reader. Exclude any information that could allow for individual identification.

3.5.3 Citation, Notes, and Sources of Information: If the figure is based on information from another source, a complete citation must be included in the figure caption, following the established citation and reference guidelines of the e-Rev. P. Med. Any additional explanation necessary for understanding the figure should be presented in a footnote, beginning with the word "Note" in italics.

4. Peer Review

The e-Rev. P. Med is committed to excellence and academic integrity through a rigorous double-blind peer review process. This system is a method for reducing bias in research, guaranteeing confidentiality and objectivity, allowing experts in the subject area to evaluate each manuscript without knowing the authors' identities, and vice versa.

4.1 Comprehensive Evaluation and Constructive Feedback

The reviewers, experts in their respective fields, meticulously evaluate each manuscript, considering fundamental aspects such as originality, clarity of writing, methodological rigor, relevance of results, and depth of discussion. This process not only seeks to ensure the quality of the published content but also to provide authors with constructive feedback that allows them to improve their work and contribute more effectively to scientific knowledge.

4.2 Editorial Decision and Communication with Authors

Following peer review, the e-Rev. editorial committee... P. Med makes an informed decision regarding the acceptance, revision, or rejection of the manuscript. This decision is communicated to the authors in a timely manner, ensuring transparency and respect in the editorial process. In the case of acceptance, a formal letter is issued once the manuscript has been finalized, marking the beginning of its dissemination within the academic community.

5. Publication Ethics

The e-Rev. P. Med prioritizes publication ethics as a fundamental pillar for scientific integrity and rigor. We adhere to the guidelines of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) (https://publicationethics.org/), requiring that submissions be original, unpublished, and not under simultaneous consideration by other journals. Authors must obtain permission for copyrighted data or images and reference the norms and principles that guide responsible conduct in research and the communication of scientific results. (Please review the ethical code and retraction policy provided in the journal's archives

5.1 Plagiarism, Similarity, and Artificial Intelligence

Manuscripts are evaluated using the Turnitin plagiarism detection tool, rejecting those with a similarity greater than 20%. The use of AI must be declared, specifying its application and ensuring that it does not compromise academic ethics or scientific quality. Authors who use AI tools in the production of images or graphic elements must be transparent and disclose this in the appropriate section, detailing how and which AI tool was used. (Review the AI ​​policies provided in the journal's archives.)

5.2 Consequences of Plagiarism and Ethical Commitment

The e-Rev. P. Med. rejects manuscripts with evidence of plagiarism, even retracting accepted articles. Academic integrity is paramount. These editorial guidelines aim for efficiency and quality in publications. (Review the code of ethics and retraction policy provided in the journal's archives).

5.3 Informed Consent

Informed consent is required when the manuscript is a case study (clinical case) or research article involving human or animal subjects. It is suggested that the previously signed consent form be kept by the institution or the research authors, and not sent directly to the journal, to avoid legal liabilities related to the privacy of sensitive data. (Review the file provided by the journal).

6 Manuscript Submission and Editorial Process Deadlines

The first step for authors interested in publishing in the e-Rev. P. Med is to register on the digital platform (OJS) that the journal uses for submission management (https://revista.investigaciondetecnologias.com/index.php/e-RPM/). Next, authors must prepare their manuscripts following the journal's general policy and publication guidelines. The manuscript must be submitted in Word or PDF format. Along with the manuscript, the documents detailed in point eight (8) of these guidelines must be attached.

Once the manuscript is submitted and uploaded to the platform, it undergoes an initial review to verify that it meets the formal requirements. Subsequently, the editorial committee will have a maximum of one (1) week to respond via email to the corresponding author if the manuscript has been accepted to continue the review process. Peer review is conducted using a double-blind review process. This means that both authors and reviewers remain anonymous throughout the review process, ensuring objectivity and impartiality in the evaluation of the work.

The double-blind peer review process has a maximum estimated response time of one month (30 days), ensuring that authors receive a timely response within a short period after their manuscript is accepted. Once the reviewer's decision is received, it will be communicated immediately to the authors via the journal's email address:

 e-rpm_citsa@investigaciondetecnologias.com.

In the event of modifications, suggestions, or comments, authors have a maximum of fifteen (15) days to respond to the reviewers' comments, starting from the date the journal sends the reviewer's decision via email. If this deadline is exceeded, the manuscript will be automatically rejected. If unforeseen circumstances require a longer period to respond to the reviewers' comments, a letter requesting an extension must be sent to the journal's email address before the stipulated deadline expires.

7. Documents to be submitted with the manuscript:

Declaration of Authorship and Contributions / Declaration of Conflicts of Interest: It must be explicitly stated that the manuscript is unpublished, along with a clear declaration that the manuscript will not be submitted to another journal before the e-Rev. P. Med. editors have made a decision. A written declaration of conflicts of interest must also be submitted (review and complete the form provided by the journal).

Suggested Referees/Reviewers: You may include suggestions for three (3) reviewers, without conflicts of interest, who could review the manuscript. A conflict of interest includes review by co-investigators (those who share authorship on other published articles or research projects), individuals working in the same Department and/or Institutional Section, or family members. You may also indicate reviewers with whom you have a conflict of interest and whom you do not wish to review the manuscript (review and complete the form provided by the journal).

TYPES OF MANUSCRIPTS

The table details the different types of documents accepted by the e-Rev. P. Med, specifying the general structure they must follow, the document type, the word count, the maximum number of graphic elements, and the required reference range.

Document Type	General Structure	Length (Word Count)	Graphic Elements*	Number of References
Original Articles	Introduction, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion.	3,500 – 8,000	Maximum 6	20 - 30
Literature Reviews	Literature summary, critical analysis, future perspectives	4.000 – 10.000	Maximum 5	20 - 40
Essays	Introduction, argumentative development, conclusions	2.500 – 5.000	Maximum 5	15 - 35
Case Studies	Introduction, description or clinical findings, intervention and resolution, final considerations	2.500 – 6.000	Maximum 5	15 - 30
Practice in Action	Brief introduction, methods, key findings	2.500 – 6.000	Maximum 5	15 - 25
Epidemiological Action	Brief introduction, methods, key findings, conclusions	2.500 – 6.000	Maximum 5	15 - 25
Health Research Today	Brief introduction, objectives, design, methods, analysis, ethical considerations, and conclusions	2.500 – 6.000	Maximum 5	15 - 30
Letters to the Editor	Brief opinion or commentary, without strict structure	1.000 – 1.500	-	3 - 5
Editorial	Brief opinion or commentary, without strict structure	500 – 1.500	-	3 - 5
*Refers to tables and figures