Medical writing

Medical Writing : 

Medical Writing

Types of Medical Writing : 

Types of Medical Writing Editorial Original Article Review Articles Short Papers Case Reports Letter to Editor Personal Views Special Communication Final Clinical Trial Report

The Basic Structure of Article : 

The Basic Structure of Article TITLE (S)Summary (Structured Abstract) (I) Introduction (What Question was asked?) (M)Methods (How was it Studied?) (R)Results (What was Found?) (A)Analysis (How data was analysed?) (D)Discussion (What Do the Findings Mean?) Acknowledgements References

Title : 

Title Should be specific But comprehensive Short But sufficiently descriptive No abbreviations Should be easy To catalogue

Structured abstract : 

Structured abstract Objective Design Setting Patients and methods Results Conclusions Key words

Introduction : 

Introduction Existing state of knowledge Gaps in knowledge which research will fill. State what you Intend to do Give pertinent references It does not Review the history of the subject Does not identify all the other gaps in knowledge Don not include methods, results and discussion

Methods : 

Methods What Subjects/patients/animals/specimens techniques were used? Reason for selecting the experimental design of the study Statistical methods used for analysis The section should be called "Materiel and Methods" only if inanimate specimens have been used. (continue)

Slide 8: 

Methods Patient / Animals / Specimens Numbers How are they grouped (cases /controls) Criteria Informed consent obtained

Techniques : 

Techniques Give enough details for readers to assess the validity of the results, and repeat the study If standard techniques is used, give appropriate reference,any modifications should be clearly explained If drug trial- clear description of trial

Statistics : 

Statistics Clearly mention the statistical methods used for appropriate verification of reported results. (consult a statistician before starting the study)

Results : 

Results Communication of facts, measurements, and observations gathered by the author Start with the results that are easier to interpret Results should be set out in tables and figures Do not duplicate illustrations

Discussion : 

Discussion What gaps in knowledge remain to be filled? Main results should be summarised at the beginning of discussion Only mention previous results or comments which illuminate or which are illuminated by the present results. (continue)

Discussion : 

Discussion Final paragraph in which the message of the article is firmly stated. Point out where further gaps in knowledge could usefully be filled instead of "further research is needed". Intention of author to explore the "Gaps" further.

Acknowledgements (Silent partners) : 

Acknowledgements (Silent partners) “We wish to thank” - all those who deserve recognition for their contribution but who have not made a significant intellectual contribution and are therefore not included as authors (Colleagues,Institutions, Organizations providing financial help, laboratory and secretarial staff)

References : 

References 1. Standard journal article Vega K., Pina I., Krevisky B. Heart transplantation is associated with an increased risk for pancreaticobiliary disease. Ann Intern Med 1996 Jun 1: 124(11): 980-3 2. Books and other monographs Phillips SJ, Whisnant JP. Hypertension and stroke. In: Laragh JH, Bremier BM, editors. Hypertension: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management. 2nd ed. New York: Raven Press; 1995. P.465-78.

References : 

References 3. Disertation Kaplan SJ. Post-hospital home health care: the elderly's access and untilizaiion (dissertation]. St. Louis (MO): Washington Univ: 1995. 4. Unpublished material Leshner AL. Molecular mechanisms of cocaine. N Engl J Med. In press 1996. 5. Electronic material Morse SS. Factors in the emergence of infectious disease. Emerg Inftect Dis [serial online] 1995 Jan-Mar (cited 1996 Jun 5]; 1(1): [24 screens]. Available from URL: http:/www.cdc.gov/ncdod/EID/eid.htm

Summing Up : 

Summing Up In the words of Stephen Lock, “ A good article has a definite structure. Make its point and then shuts up”

Sending Manuscript to the Journal : 

Sending Manuscript to the Journal Required number of copies in a heavy envelop enclosing figures / photos / photo micrographics in card boards in separate envelop Covering letter signed by all co-authors Has not been submitted else where Approved by all authors Authors will bear the cost of colour illustration

Requirements for Submission of Manuscript : 

Requirements for Submission of Manuscript Must Read Instructions to Authors (Uniform requirements for manuscripts submitted to biomedical Journals 1997) Preparation Abstract Introduction Methods Materials Subjects Patients Results Discussion Typing White bond paper (8.1/2 x 11” or A4 with 1” margins Typing - Double space Number pages consecutively beginning with title page (upper or lower right hand corner)

Requirements for Submission of Manuscript : 

Requirements for Submission of Manuscript Manuscript on DISC Include a printout version Name the file clearly Label the disc with format of the file and file name Provide information on hardware and software used.

Title Page (1st Page) : 

Title Page (1st Page) Title of the article (concise information) Name of author(s) Highest academic degree(s) Affiliation Department Institution Disclaimers if any Name and address of author for correspondence about the manuscript Source of support in the form of grants, equipment, drugs Short running head or foot line of no more than 40 characters

Abstract and Key Words (2nd Page) : 

Abstract and Key Words (2nd Page) 150 words for unstructured abstract 250 words for structured abstract Abstract should be Purpose of the study Basic procedures (selection of subjects, observational and analytical methods) Main findings (Data and its significance) The principal conclusions 3-10 Key words Assist indexer and cross indexing Terms from medical subject heading (MeSH) should be used

Introduction (3rd Page) : 

Introduction (3rd Page) State purpose of the article Summarize the rationale for study or observation Give Strictly pertinent reference Do not include data or conclusion

Method (4th Page) : 

Method (4th Page) Describe selection of the observational, Experimental subjects including controls Experimental method (reference for standard methods) Statistical methods Ethics

Results (5th Page) : 

Results (5th Page) Logical sequence Text Tables Illustrations Do not repeat in the text all the data in tables / figures emphasize, summarizing important observations Tables - Number tables separate sheets Figures - Legends 5 x 7” or 8 x10” glossy prints (Black & white / coloured)

Discussion (6th Page) : 

Discussion (6th Page) Emphasize new and important aspects of the study and conclusions that follow Do not repeat the data Include implications of the funding, their limitations and implications for future Research Relate observations with other relevant studies Recommendations when appropriate may be included

Acknowledgement (7th Page) : 

Acknowledgement (7th Page) Those who do not justify to be Authors should be Acknowledged Those who have provided technical help Financial and material support

Some Guidelines : 

Some Guidelines Choose an appropriate Journals Go through the “uniform requirements for Biomedical publications” Write simple grammatically correct sentences Brevity is the best practice Avoid irrelevant details Show the draft to colleagues Read final draft carefully Typographical and grammatical mistakes give bad impression Check tables and figures (Captions, size, clarity)

Authorship : 

Authorship All person designated as authors should qualify for authorship Author should have participated sufficiently in the work to take public responsibility for the content Authorship credit should be based on substantial contribution to: Conception Design Analysis & interpretation of data

Authorship : 

Authorship Drafting, revising it critically, for important intellectual contents and final approval of the contents Participating solely in acquisition of funding, collection of data does not justify authorship General supervision of research group is not sufficient for authorship Order of the author should be a joint decision of the authors

Scientific Writing Should Be: : 

Scientific Writing Should Be: Reader-Based Purposeful 3C’S: Correct, Clear, Concise Precise Keep it Simple: Long words name little things. And NOT contain: Invented words Metaphorically speaking Laboratory jargon Excessive abbreviation

Ten common Errors Made by ESL Writers : 

Ten common Errors Made by ESL Writers Use of a, an, the Punctuation Correct use of noun and verbs Word choice Tense Sentence structure Spelling Word economy Sentence clarity Over emphasis

The ten commandments of good writing : 

The ten commandments of good writing Each pronoun should agree with their antecedent Just between you and I, case is important A preposition is a poor word to end a sentence with. Verbs has to agree with their subject Don’t use no double negatives Remember to never split an infinitive Avoid cliches like the plague Join clauses good, like a conjunction should Do not use hyperbole; not one writer in a million can use it effectively About sentence fragments

Misuse of words : 

Misuse of words Watch for vial alternative: young juveniles or 7 a.m. in the morning Amount: use this word when you refer to a mass or aggregate. Use number when units are involved. (V An amount of cash, X An amount of coins) And/or is a visual and mental monstrosity that should be avoided in any kinds of writing. Case: the most common word in the language of jargon. “in this case” means “here”, “in most case” means “usually”, “in all cases” means “always”. Each/every

Misuse of words : 

Misuse of words It: watch for unclear antecedent. Like: often used incorrectly as a conjunction. Only: must positioned correctly “I hit him in the eye yesterday”. Quite: is quite unnecessary Varying: mass changing not a defined word. Which: is properly used in a “nonrestricted” sense , instead of “that” as an essential clause. While: when a time relationship exists, “while” is correct,; otherwise, “whereas” would be a better choice.

Avoid Passive Constructions : 

Avoid Passive Constructions It may change verb into noun Swelling the sentence Less direct Poorly understood The active voice is usually more precise and less wordy that is the passive voice. Example: “It was found that” to “I found”. Do not be afraid to name the agent of the action is a sentence, even when it is “I” or “We”.

Words Economy : 

Words Economy Do not use more words where fewer will do A sentence is better not exceed 20 words or 2 printed lines. Do not use long words where short ones will do. Do not use jargon where regular words will do. Do not use special words to make your writing seem more technical, scientific, or academic when the message is more clearly presented in another manner.

The common touch : 

The common touch As a general principle, the greater the percentage of common words an article contains, the easier it is to comprehend. Use of Western yymmdd instead Euphemistic words and phrases normally should not be used in the scientific writing. (Animals are not “sacrificed” but “killed”, Some peoples “suffered mortal sequences from” the lead in the flour. Replace it with ”Some peoples died of ….”. Singulars and plurals: 10 g was added or 10 g were added.

Pay Attention to tenses : 

Pay Attention to tenses What you, or others, did in the past should be stated in the past tense Events or objected that continue to happen or exist can be described in the present tense Events that will take place in the future can be in the future tense Whatever tense you choose, be consistent Whenever you quite or discuss previously published work, you should use the present tense; you are quoting established knowledge.

Tense : 

Tense Your own present work must be referred to in the past tense. Most of the abstracts should be un the past tense, because you are referring to your own present results. M&M and the results sections should be in the past tense, as you describe what you did and what you found. Much of the introduction and discussion sections should be in the present tense. Exceptions: in the area of attribution and presentation, a general statement or known truth; the results of calculations and statistical analyses should be in the present tense.

Might, May, and Would : 

Might, May, and Would They do not make a confident statement. Will: Would: Should: May: Might: Could:

Linking Sentences : 

Linking Sentences Paragraphs contain a collection of sentences that explain in a more complicated idea instead of a single statement or simple idea Sentences are linked using transitional words and phrases Transitions indicate relations, whether fro sentence to sentence, or from paragraph to paragraph Smooth transitions provide coherence

Correctly Structure Paragraph : 

Correctly Structure Paragraph A paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that clearly sets the stage for what will follow – make topic sentences short and direct Build the paragraph from the ideas introduced in your topic sentence Make the flow of individual sentences follow a logical sequence Try to finish each paragraph with a sentence that forms a bridge to the next paragraph