ISSN 0717-6163 online version
ISSN 0034-9887 print version

INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS

• Form and preparation of manuscripts
• Sending of manuscripts

1.- Revista Medica de Chile accepts manuscripts to be published in English when:

a) The work was done in an English-speaking country, by authors resident in that country, or

b) The authors reside in a non-Spanish-speaking country and they feel themselves unable to prepare a manuscript in Spanish.

In both circumstances, the authors must submit a text in which English has been revised/improved by individuals familiarized with scientific/medical writing in English.

2.- Manuscripts are considered with the understanding that they (or important parts of its content) have not been published in print or electronic format and are not under consideration by another publication or electronic medium. The manuscript's eligibility for publication is decided by the editors or after external peer-review.

3.- The manuscript format should be adapted to the style shown by recent publications in Revista Medica de Chile, that can be accessed at the website www.scielo.cl. All manuscripts should follow the recommendations established in the «Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals* by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, accessible in the website www.icmje.org.

4.- The manuscript should be prepared in WORD format, in letter-size pages numbered consecutively in the upper right corner. Use Times New Roman, font size 12, spaced 1,5pt, with justification to the left margin only. At the bottom of the Title Page provide a word count for text only, from the Introduction to the end of Discussion (excluding Title Page, Abstract, Acknowledgements, References, Tables, Figures). The typical length is up to 2,500 words in Research Articles or 3,000 words in Reviews. Case Reports should not exceed 1,500 words, they can add up to 2 Tables or Figures and 20 References. Letters to the Editor can be extended up to 1,000 words, adding up to 6 references and 1 Table or Figure.

5.- Title page with: 1) The manuscript title and a short title (this one with a maximum of 90 characters, spaces included); 2) Authors' first name and last name (Middle initial can be added at authors' discretion), identifying with roman numerals at the end of each authors' last name: 3) Work site (Division, Department, Institution); 4) Identification of the corresponding author, including e-mail, print mail address and telephone numbers; 5) Financial support for this work (including research or project support/funding). 6) Number of Tables and Figures attached to the manuscript. 7) Word count (see above in 4.). Each following Section must begin in a new page.

6.- Abstract, with a structured format when pertinent and a recommended maximum length of 250 words. The editors will prepare a translation into Spanish and the Abstract will be published both in English and Spanish. For indexing purposes, the authors should provide 3 to 5 key words selected from Index Medicus, Medical Subjects Headings (MeSH browser), accessible at www.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/ and in Google.

7.- Introduction.

8.- Material and Methods (or Patients and Methods). When the study was done in humans, the protocol's approval by an institutional Ethics Committee must be identified.

9. Results.

• Discussion and conclusions.
• Acknowledgements.
• References. Numbered in the order they appear in the text, with the format according to Index Medicus and exemplified in the above mentioned «Uniform Requirements*. List all authors up to 6; if they are 7 or more, list the first 6 followed by et al.
• Tables and Figures. Include each of them in a separate and numbered page. When material already published is reproduced in a Table or Figure, its original source should be identified and written permission from publishers (or other copyright owner) must be provided. The cost of publication of colour Figures must be consulted to the editors and covered by the authors when the article is accepted.
• Include statements signed by each author for authorship responsibility and contributions; financial disclosure; and copyright transfer to Revista Médica de Chile.
• Include a statement signed by the corresponding author that written permission has been obtained from all persons named in the Acknowledgements.
• Authors should identify potential conflicts of interest by filling the Updated ICMJE Conflict of Interest Reporting Form. This form can be obtained from www.icmje.org, it should be downloaded into the authors' computers, filled in individually by each author and uploaded as attachments to the manuscript when submitted to the Revista. Once an article is published, these forms will be made publicly available, linked to the article in the Revistas web site in www.scielo.cl
• The manuscript should be submitted electronically to revmedchile@smschile.cl. All submissions should include a cover letter, the manuscript, Tables and Figures. Provide in separate files the manuscript, Tables, Figures, Conflict of Interest Reporting Forms and other documents.
• Submission Fee: Since July 1st, 2012, authors submitting manuscripts to Revista Médica de Chile are required to pay a submission fee. For manuscripts coming from foreign countries, the payment is US$ 80.0. The submission fee applies to first drafts of a manuscript and not to subsequent revisions. Manuscripts rejected will not have a return of this payment. Corresponding authors will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to proceed with bank deposits or bank transfers.
• Accepted manuscripts are edited in accordance with the above mentioned «Uniform Requirements* and the journal's style. A first galley proof is sent to the corresponding author electronically for approval. Authors are responsible for all statements made in their work, including the accuracy of the references and changes made by the editors, authorized by the corresponding author.

The manuscript should be submitted electronically to revmedchile@smschile.cl. All submissions should include a cover letter, and the manuscript, Tables and Figures, all in the same file if possible.