Journal of Primary Health Care

About the Journal of Primary Health Care

Editor

Assoc Prof Felicity Goodyear-Smith
MB ChB MGP FRNZCGP
Email: editor@rnzcgp.org.nz

Editorial assistant

Pam Berry - receives journal submissions
Email: editorialassistant@rnzcgp.org.nz

Editorial Advisory Board

Prof Bruce Arroll, Assoc Prof Jo Barnes, Prof Peter Crampton, Prof Tony Dowell, Dr Pat Farry, Dr Ron Janes, Prof Carol McVeigh, Dr Shane Reti, Prof Kurt Stange, Dr Colin Tukuitonga. Dr Barry Parsonson

Typesetter

Robyn Atwood

Subscription or advertising queries to

Cherylyn Borlase, Publications Coordinator
Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners
PO Box 10440, Wellington, 6143
Email: jphcnz@rnzcgp.org.nz

The Journal of Primary Health Care is the official journal of the RNZCGP. However, views expressed are not necessarily those of the College, the editor, or the editorial board. Copyright Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners 2008. All rights reserved.

Aim and Scope

The Journal of Primary Health Care (JPHC) is peer-reviewed journal designed to meet the information needs of New Zealand (NZ) general practitioners, practice nurses and community pharmacists plus other primary health care practitioners and the patients and communities we serve. In line with the NZ Primary Health Care Strategy, the scope encompasses general practice, primary health care nursing and community pharmacy. The content is multi-disciplinary and includes papers on Maori, Pacific and Asian health issues, health care delivery, health promotion, epidemiology, public health and medical sociology of interest to a primary health care provider audience.

The journal publishes peer-reviewed quantitative and qualitative original research, systematic reviews and papers on improving performance that are relevant to its primary health care practitioner audience. The journal is a means both of moving research into practice and practice into research.

JPHC acts as a knowledge refinery to provide busy practitioners with up-to-date knowledge about the latest evidence and best practice. Continuing professional education includes pithy summaries of the latest evidence such as Cochrane Corner, POEMS (Patient Oriented Evidence that Matters), brief synopses of guidelines and bulletins, and PEARLS (Practical Evidence About Real Life Situations).

Evidence can help inform best practice. However sometimes there is no evidence available or applicable for a specific patient with his or her own set of conditions, capabilities, beliefs, expectations and social circumstances. Evidence needs to be placed in context. General practice is an art as well as a science. Quality of care lies also with the nature of the clinical relationship, with communication and with truly informed decision-making. The JPHC will publish viewpoints, commentaries and reflections that explore areas of uncertainty, of ethics, of aspects of care for which there is no one right answer. Debate is stimulated by the Back to Back section where two professionals present their opposing views on a topic. Letters to the Editor are also welcomed.

The Journal of Primary Health Care (incorporating the New Zealand Family Physician) is the official journal of the RNZCGP. However, views expressed are not necessarily those of the College, the Editor, or the editorial board. Copyright Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners 2005. All rights reserved.

Editorial Advisory Board

Click here for the Journal of Primary Health Care Editorial Advisory Board

Instructions for Authors

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. Editorials, essays, case reports and letters to the editor are also considered for publication. Detailed guidance for preparation of different types of contribution can be found below.

Instructions for Authors

Publishing dates

JPHC is published quarterly in March, June, September and December. All original research and improving performance papers are submitted to reviewers before being accepted for publication, and are published as soon as space permits.

General Manuscript Preparation

JPHC follows the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) 'Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals: Writing and Editing for Biomedical Publication' (http://www.icmje.org/).

Format

Times Roman or Arial font, 12 point, double-spaced, 2.5 cm margins. Please do not justify right margin. Number all pages consecutively starting with the title page

Style

Use acronyms sparingly. Place abbreviations in brackets after the first appearance of the term in the abstract and again after the first use in the text. Use International System (SI) of units throughout.

Use generic names for drugs. Where a brand name is also used, start with Capital letter. Headings: Use the following hierarchy - BOLD UPPER CASE, Bold, Bold italics, Italics, Underlined.

Use generic names for drugs. Where a brand name is also used, start with Capital letter. Headings: Use the following hierarchy - BOLD UPPER CASE, Bold, Bold italics, Italics, Underlined.

Cover Letter

All submissions should include a cover letter. This should inform the Editor of any special considerations regarding your submission, including but not limited to:

Type of paper being submitted: Original research (quantitative, qualitative or systematic review), improving performance, editorial, essay, case report or letter to the editor.
Related papers: Details of related papers published or submitted for publication.
Previous reviews: Details of previous reviews of the submitted article. Previous editors' and reviewers' comments may be submitted as a supplementary file along with your responses to those comments. We encourage authors to submit these previous communications. Doing so may expedite the review process.
Authorship criteria: Confirmation that all named authors meet the three criteria (1) substantial contributions to conception and design and /or analysis and interpretation of data, (2) drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content and (3) final approval of the version to be published.
Ethical approval: If ethics committee approval was required, please state the name and location of the approving committee and reference number of approval. See NZ Health and Disability Ethics Committees Guidance on ethical research and review. If ethical approval was wavered please state.
Patient consent: If a patient may be identified (or can identify themselves), we require written informed consent (Patient Consent Form) from the patient for publication.
Licence to publish: Please include the following statement: "I/we assign, transfer and convey all rights, title and interest in the work, including copyright ownership, to JPHC in the event that this work is published by JPHC and understand that all accepted manuscripts may not be published elsewhere without prior written permission from JPHC."
Word counts: Please state the word count of the main text excluding title page, references, figures and tables, the word count of the abstract and the number of tables and figures.

Please download the Template for the Cover Letter

Original Research Papers

Title page: Title; Full names, qualifications, positions and institutions / affiliations of all authors; Name, postal address, telephone, fax numbers and e-mail of the corresponding author. The email address of the corresponding author will be published.

Structured abstract: Follow specific instructions for quantitative, qualitative or systemic review papers below.

Keywords: Up to six keywords or phrases suitable for use in an index (recommended to use MeSH terms). Consider including some or all of your key words in your title and / or abstract.

What gap this fills: Please summarise in two short sentences what was already known about the topic and two short sentences about what your work has added to the body of knowledge, with particular relevance to primary health care practitioners.

Main text: Follow specific instructions for quantitative, qualitative or systemic review papers below.

Tables: Information should not be duplicated in both text and tables. Tables capture information concisely, and display it efficiently; they also provide information at any desired level of detail and precision. Including data in tables rather than text should reduce the length of the text. Be sure that each table is cited in the text. Number tables consecutively in the order of their first citation in the text and supply a brief title for each. Do not use internal horizontal or vertical lines. Give each column a short or abbreviated heading. Place explanations in footnotes, not in the heading. Explain in footnotes all non-standard abbreviations. For footnotes use the following symbols, in sequence: *, §, † ‡, ||, **, ‡‡, ††

Figures or illustrations:Use figures when pictures can convey more than words and numbers. Graphs, charts and line drawings should be clean, sharp and of high standard of reproduction. Photographs must be of a professional standard, show clear detail, and should be submitted in digital (jpg) format.

Acknowledgements / funding: Acknowledgement should be made of those who do not meet the criteria for authorship but who have made contribution to the design, data collection or manuscript preparation, as well as funding and material support.

Competing interests: All authors are to declare all potential, perceived, or real competing interests. If an author has no potential conflicts, please state.

References: Authors are responsible for the accuracy of references. References should be numbered with superscript Arabic numerals in consecutive numerical order of appearance. The reference should be placed immediately after the punctuation mark with no space.

Correct.¹

Incorrect. ¹

Incorrect¹.

Journal titles should be abbreviated according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) National Library of Medicine’s Citing Medicine. A list of abbreviations can be found at the Library's web site. Journal titles should be in italics. For example, J Primary Health Care.

References should be formatted according to the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors’ (ICMJE) ‘Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals’ (ICMJE References).

Sample journal reference:

1. Stange KC. The future of family medicine? Reflections from the front lines reveal frustration and opportunity. Ann Fam Med. 2004;2(3):274-7.

Appendices: Material that is not essential to the article, but is useful to some readers, may be published in appendices. Examples include detailed quotations from qualitative studies, supplemental tables, and research instruments. Appendices should be referred to in the main text and must conform to the same standards and style as the body of the article. Appendices are usually only published online but may be published in print at the editor's discretion. Identify appendices and submit with the manuscript. Prepare lengthy appendices as one or more separate electronic files.

Please download the Template for scientific papers. Please delete the instructions in italics between < and >.

Quantitative Research

Maximum word count: 2500 words (excluding Title page, Abstract, Tables, Acknowledgements and References)

Abstract: Should have the sub-headings Introduction, Aim, Methods, Results, Discussion.

Main text: Original research papers should follow the "IMRAD" structure: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. Relevant sub-headings may be used.

Introduction: A clear succinct review of current knowledge on the topic to provide a context or background for the study - for example the nature and significant of the problem or gap in knowledge to be addressed. The final paragraph should contain the research question, problem or objective.

Method: Provide concise details of the data generation and analytic processes used and how the validity and trustworthiness of findings were established. Research projects involving human participants should include a statement indicating that the project has received ethical approval, or an exemption from an ethics committee.

Findings: Include sufficient quotes to support the conclusions, numbered to indicate the respondent. These can either be inserted in the text (in italics and indented), or presented in table form with themes and sub-themes illustrated by appropriate quotes.

Discussion: This should reiterate the principal findings, explain why these are important, comment on methodological strengths and weaknesses of the study, and provide an overall conclusion that is supported by the data found in the study.

Qualitative Research

Maximum word count: 3500 words (excluding Title page, Abstract, Tables, Acknowledgements and References)

Abstract: Should have the sub-headings Introduction, Methods, Findings, Conclusion.

Main Text: Original research papers should use the following headings: Introduction, Methods, Findings and Discussion.

Introduction: A clear succinct review of current knowledge on the topic to provide a context or background for the study – for example the nature and significant of the problem or gap in knowledge to be addressed. The final paragraph should contain the research question, problem or objective.

Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis

Maximum word count: 3000 words (excluding Title page, Abstract, Tables, Acknowledgements and References)

Authors of systematic reviews are encouraged to use the QUOROM (Quality Of Reporting Of Meta-analyses) statement and checklist - QUOROM STATEMENT For Meta-analyses of observational studies in epidemiology the MOOSE statement is recommended: MOOSE STATEMENT

The Abstract and Main Text should follow the same structure as for quantitative research.

Performance Improvement Papers

These articles may cover any aspect of performance improvement in primary health care including health promotion, prevention and clinical interventions and programmes. These evaluations or audits should usually present evidence to indicate that a problem of quality of practice may exist, suggest indications for changes in practice, or contribute towards defining standards or developing measures of outcome. We wish to encourage submissions from practices, Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) and other organisations of audits and details of your programmes and other initiatives that you consider to be contributions to new knowledge. These include both activities that have been successful and those that have not. Sharing this learning allows us to learn from each other and avoid duplication. Such submissions will be peer-reviewed but under different criteria from full research articles.

Maximum word count: 2000 words (excluding title page, abstract, tables, acknowledgements and contributions and the references)

Please follow instructions for original papers with respect to title, key words, what gap this fills, acknowledgements, funding and references.

Please download the Template for improving performance papers. Please delete the instructions in italics between < and >.

Structured abstract: Background and context, Assessment of problem, Results, Strategies for improvement, Lessons. Maximum word count 250

Main text: Performance improvement papers should follow the structure used by Quality and Safety in Health Care published by the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd:

Background

Outline of problem, eg.
1. What was the problem that was identified for study (problem definition)?
2. How was it identified?
3. Why was it a priority?
4. What were the stated objectives of audit?
Outline of context (local and wider), eg
1. Relevant details of local hospital/practice, etc
2. Local internal organisation and structures relevant to the problem
3. Wider context of the problem
4. Staffing arrangements such as how staff work together

Assessment of problems

Detail of the approach taken with justification, eg
1. Criteria based audit/critical incident/routine monitoring/TQM tools and techniques.
Criteria, standards or guidelines developed, eg
1. Who set them and how they were developed?
2. Were they considered ideal or realistic?
Measurement of problem, eg
1. How was this done?
2. Who did the assessment?
3. How was it analysed?

Results of assessment / measurement

How results were used to understand the problem, eg
1. How results were put into local context
2. Implications for improving the quality of care
3. Implications for change

Strategies for quality improvement/change

Feeding back information to relevant staff, eg
1. How this was done?
2. Why was this approach chosen?
3. Who was included?
4. What was their responses?
Mechanism for change, eg
1. What course of action was taken and why?
2. Was this justified by the results and context?
3. Discussion of ease of change versus likely effectiveness
4. Who was/would be affected by change

Lessons and messages

What changes occurred?
If changes did not occur - why not?
What were the benefits of patients?
Lessons and messages - for your organisation
Lessons and messages - for other organisations
Were benefits sustained?

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 (editor@rnzcgp.org.nz) prior to preparation. We also welcome suggestions for topics we could cover in our editorials.

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. Word count up to 1000 words each. Please supply a head and shoulders photo, preferably side view with the person holding the affirmative position facing to the right and negative position facing to the left.

Essays

Essays include perspectives (present a specific point of view), discussions (explore a new idea) 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 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 150 words.

Case Reports

We will consider publishing reports of cases that raise interesting diagnostic or management issues, stimulate debate, address areas of uncertainty or controversy or present ethical concerns. Maximum word length is 800 words and photographs can be included. If your patients may be identifiable despite their names not being attached, then please have them sign a Patient Consent Form.

Patient Consent Form

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, with a maximum of 400 words.

Book Reviews

We publish reviews of books written by NZ authors relating to primary health care topics. Authors of such books are invited to arrange for their publisher to forward a copy to the Editorial Office of the RNZCGP, Level 3, 88 The Terrace, PO Box 10-440, Wellington.

Submission of Papers

Please submit all manuscripts as word document attachments to editor@rnzcgp.org.nz. Submissions should include the accompanying covering letter either in the body of the email or as an attached document.

Reviewers

Instructions for peer reviewers

Template for reviewers