The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners

Original Scientific Papers

Journal of Primary Health Care (JPHC) publishes original papers on primary health care in New Zealand (NZ) and around the Pacific rim. Original research, systematic reviews, short reports and improving performance papers all undergo rigorous peer review.

Instructions for Authors will guide you through the preparation for different types of contribution.

Other Submissions

JPHC will also consider other types of submissions for publication such as:

Editorials 

Editorials are commentaries and statements of informed opinion. They are usually commissioned by the Editor although unsolicited editorials are also considered. Authors considering submitting an editorial should discuss this with the editor prior to preparation. We also welcome suggestions for topics we could cover in our editorials.

Essays

Essays include perspectives, discussions and reflections that explore areas of uncertainty, of ethics, of aspects of care for which there is no one right answer. These may include accounts of personal experience. Essays should be short and pithy with a clear and focussed message. Maximum count is usually 1500 words.

Abstracts for essays are unstructured. The problem or purpose should be stated followed by the major points, with one or two sentences in conclusion. Maximum length is 150 words.

Back To Back

This section is designed to stimulate debate with two professionals presenting their opposing views regarding a clinical, ethical or political issue. In general these pieces are commissioned by the Editor but readers are welcome to suggest topics for debate. Maximum word count 1000 plus ninereferences.

Letters to the Editor

Letters can be used to respond to published papers, briefly report original research or case reports, or raise matters of interest relevant to primary care health care. The best letters are succinct and stimulating. Maximum word count 400 words.

Gems

Gems are short summaries of primary health care research that is conducted in NZ by New Zealand researchers but published in journals other than the JPHC, either nationally or internationally. Authors who wish to have their research featured in Gems are asked to submit a 100 word précis of their paper (not the Abstract) along with the full reference details and the email address of the corresponding author.

Please submit all submissions to the editor as word document attachments.