Submitting a Literature Review to the TSMJ

 
 

Literature reviews are word articles usually 1400-1800 words in length (excluding text in boxes, figures and the references) that provide a clear, up to date account of the topic and aimed at non specialists—from all over the world.  
 
A literature review should include a broad update of current research developments (from the past 3-4 years) and their likely clinical applications as they relate to the topic under review.  

It may be helpful to consult previous editions of the TSMJ or other publications to familiarize yourself with the structure/content of a review article! 

Below is a basic outline of the structure of a literature review:

Text Format:

 

• Please refer to the template

Title:

 

• The title should be clear, concise, and informative – the reader should have an idea of what the review is about. No abbreviations are used in the title.

 

• You may wish to create a “catchy” title to capture the attention of the reader – the decision to read an article often rests on the appeal of its title. However, it should contain key words related to the content of the review.

Author:

 

• Designation, degree, affiliation and address of all authors are to be clearly indicated, with additional details such as telephone number and/or email address of the corresponding author.

 
 

Abstract (a hint is to write the abstract last!): 

• Cover each and every component of the review in no more than 200 words.

 

• State the purpose of the review, an overview of the following sections, the principal conclusion and implications.

 

• Should contain precise information and no abbreviations.

Introduction:

 

• Should be 100-200 words

 

• Explain what the review is about, why it is important to non specialists and what will be covered in the following sections.

 

• Answer the question, "Why should I read this review as posed by a non specialist in the area?"

 

• Include literature to support and introduce your points.

The Body of the Review:

 

• The body of the text should be broken up under "reader friendly" sub-headings.

 

• Subheadings may be in the form of questions. (Example: Who gets it? How is it diagnosed? What new treatments can we expect?)

 

• Specialist terminology should be explained, and all abbreviations and acronyms written in full.

 

• Clarify the evidence on which the key statements in the review are based, and the strength of the evidence (published trials, systematic reviews, observational studies, expert opinion) throughout the paper.

 

• Where evidence is lacking or is of poor quality we expect you to say so.  
  
• Remember that any advice on managing patients may not apply worldwide—clarify if your advice is country specific.

 

Note: We expect to find sentences structured in the following ways: 

"A large well-conducted randomised trial found that..."

"The findings of a small case series suggest...", and so on.  
 

Conclusion/Concluding Remarks:

 

• This section should be short and briefly summarise the review.

 

• Come to conclusions about the topic of interest.

 

• Look to the future in the area of interest.

 

• Do NOT introduce any new information here.

References:

 

• The references are to be presented in the Vancouver style (see URL in email).

 

• Avoid using ‘abstracts’ as references. The references must be verified by the author against the original documents.

Figure Legends:

 

• Include within the word document before the references section.

 

• Describe in detail the figure in question.

Tables:

 

• Included in the word document after the references section.

Acknowledgements:

 

• All help must be acknowledged and appropriately thanked.

Clinical Points Box:

 

• A key messages box should be included containing 4-6 key messages in the form of succinct, single-sentence bullet points. These should be the most important “take home” messages from the article. Some “speed” readers may read only this box and the introduction!

 

Illustrations (must be in high definition): 

• Highly encouraged.

 

• Can be clinical photographs, line drawings, and flow charts.

 

• Must be sent CLEARLY LABELLED preferably as jpeg IN A SEPERATE POWER POINT FILE to the article.

 

• Colour illustrations are welcome.

 

• Remember that we need informed consent from patients for any material you obtain from patients even if they are not identifiable (including Xrays, histology slides, and so on).

The following may be included but are not required:

  

Ongoing Research: 

• A box of key ongoing research studies indicating what  
  questions they aim to answer.

 

• A list of UNANSWERED QUESTIONS.

 

Continuing Medical Education Resource Box: 

• A box entitled "Additional educational resources" for those who want to pursue the topics in more detail.

 
 

A Box Containing a Patient’s Story: 

• A box of up to 200 words containing a personal account by a real patient.

 

• Include their experience of being ill, getting professional support and treatment, and perhaps about managing their own disease.

 

• The patient should use his or her full name in the piece (given and family names) or can remain anonymous.

 

• We need to see the patient’s signed consent to publication.