Writing for the Back Pages
We want to ensure that there is a place in the BJGP’s
pages for anecdote-based medicine, reflecting that general practice
touches all of life’s variety.
Viewpoints
These are short editorials. Some are
commissioned, but spontaneous offerings are particularly welcome.
We welcome forthright expression of opinion. Articles should be
around 600 words and up to five references are permissible.
Viewpoints should have an original slant and must be topical,
though we welcome every standpoint. Do not feel the need to be
constrained by the requirements of standard scientific writing.
Viewpoints will be peer reviewed openly, but only to ensure factual
accuracy and not to alter the message.
Essays
We welcome expansive essay writing on significant topics.
Speculation, hypothesising, and debunking are encouraged. They
should be no more than 2000 words long. References should be
limited to fewer than 20 in number whenever possible. Submissions
will be subject to open peer review. Shorter essays are also
welcome; in cases where a 2000-word essay may be inappropriate,
800–1000 words will often suffice.
Personal views
We welcome unsolicited personal views. An ideal length would
be approximately 400 words; contributors may include one or two
references if appropriate. We welcome the eclectic, the
international, and the polemical, and will help with translation
difficulties whenever possible. It is essential to obtain
permission from any patients whose story is to be used as a basis
for a personal view. A signed statement of informed consent to
publish (in print and online) patient descriptions, photographs,
and pedigrees from all persons (parents or legal guardians for
minors) who can be identified is required. Such persons should be
offered the opportunity to see the manuscript before its
submission.
The patient permission form (pdf
24KB).
Columnists
The BJGP publishes five regular
columnists and we rotate these regularly. We shall call for new
volunteers periodically.
News
The BJGP has limited space available for announcements, news,
and reports on conferences and meetings. We welcome submissions,
but warn contributors that space limitations necessitate brevity.
The word limit is normally 200–400 words per item. We encourage
contributors to supply URL addresses where interested readers can
explore the topic discussed in more detail.
Digest
The BJGP commissions reviews of books relevant — though often
only loosely — to general practice. However, we are very receptive
to suggestions from readers and welcome unsolicited reviews. We
welcome reviews of almost anything from academe, through art and
architecture, to soap opera. The BJGP will also publish poetry
occasionally, and is very keen to promote adventurous
photography.