Cases That Test Your Skills

Author instructions for manuscript preparation

Current Psychiatry  is a peer-reviewed, monthly journal that provides useful, readable clinical information to more than 40,000 practicing psychiatrists, residents, and advanced practice psychiatric nurses in the United States.

Your Cases That Test Your Skills article should educate our readers on how to handle a difficult clinical scenario that they are likely to face in practice. Your article should blend current, applicable evidence with your clinical experience.

Clinicians who are interested in writing a Cases That Test Your Skills article should begin by contacting Senior Editor Eric Seger at eseger@mdedge.com to discuss the proposed topic.

When preparing your manuscript, please follow these guidelines:

Software: Prepare the article as a Word document for PC or Macintosh.

Length: No more than 2,000 words, excluding references, tables, charts, figures, Related resources, and drug brand name list (see below).

Contact information: Provide the corresponding author’s mailing address, phone, fax, and e-mail address.

Text format: Divide your text into three segments, each pertaining to a specific phase of the case (eg, history, evaluation, treatment, further treatment, follow-up, and/or conclusion). The first segment should contain:

• a subhead stating the case’s phase (eg, “history”)
• a description of the patient’s presenting symptoms and how they are diminishing her quality of life
• a multiple-choice question challenging the reader to devise a solution for the patient
• the author’s observations on how he or she reached a diagnosis and planned treatment based on existing evidence and clinical experience.

The latter two segments should follow the same format (subhead, case description, question, observations) and should address the clinical findings, treatment, gains/setbacks achieved in treatment, and—if applicable—change in diagnosis. All three segments should reinforce the article's central teaching point(s). If possible, explain in the final segment how the patient is doing after treatment.

For more information, please refer to previous "Cases That Test Your Skills" articles in Current Psychiatry.

Author credentials: State each author’s current academic appointment(s) in the byline. For example:

Joseph L. Jones, MD
Associate professor, department of psychiatry
Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC

Bottom Line: At the end of the article, include a brief (40-word) summary of why psychiatrists should read your article. Include the article's main take-home points, emphasizing their value in everyday practice.

Tables and charts: Provide 2 to 4 tables, sidebars, or charts to illustrate your article. Suggested topics include diagnostic criteria, differential diagnoses, clinical features that suggest a diagnosis, and medications with recommended dosages and evidence supporting their use. Prepare charts in Word or PowerPoint.

If applicable, devise an algorithm or flowchart that illustrates the evidence-based approach to diagnosis or treatment described in the article.

Clinical photos may be used if such images reinforce the article’s point (eg, a photo showing self-mutilation on a suicidal patient). Photos of brain scans will be considered if the pertinent finding is evident. Clearly label each illustration, and avoid indenting photos with paper clips. Eliminate any information that might reveal the patient’s identity.

References: Provide references—about 15 maximum—and follow AMA style. Do not list references in alphabetical order. Instead, number the references (1, 2, 3, . .  .) in the text as they are cited. At the end of the article, number and list references in order of appearance.

Related Resources: In addition to your references, suggest 2 or 3 sources of additional information on your topic, such as books, articles, pamphlets, bulletins, consumer health groups, and government agencies. Include at least one Web site. 

Disclosure/copyright: A signed financial disclosure and copyright agreement form (both provided upon assignment) must be submitted with your article. Include your Social Security number on the disclosure form so that we can pay your honorarium.

Drug Brand Names: If medications are mentioned in your article, provide a list of the generic and brand names alphabetized by generic name. For example:

Permissions: If you wish to reuse a table or chart that has been published elsewhere, you are responsible for obtaining permission before submitting it. Forward photocopies to us for review before you apply for permission or agree to pay a permission fee.

Also, tell us the source of your scans or photos so that we can give proper attribution. You are responsible for obtaining permission for use of such material.

Guidelines on Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools in Journal Articles

• Nonhuman artificial intelligence (AI) technologies do not qualify for named authorship. Chatbots cannot meet ICMJE requirements for authorship and therefore cannot be authors. All those named as authors must meet authorship criteria.
• Authors should be transparent about the use of AI technologies to aid in writing content. Authors should disclose in a cover letter to the journal which tool was used (name, version, and manufacturer) and how it was applied in the article submitted to the journal.
• Human authors are responsible for the accuracy of work compiled by an AI tool, including the absence of plagiarism. Proper referencing/sources of statements is necessary.
• Images created by AI tools are not permitted for publication. However, AI tools may be used to help illustrate a concept or study methodology for publishing staff to create a new original image; all guidelines above apply to ensure that content is accurate and properly referenced.

MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION/REVIEW

E-mail your article and illustrations as attachments to eseger@mdedge.com.

Manuscripts are subject to peer review and editing. Often we ask authors to work with us to revise articles prior to publication. We will ask you to review the edited version in time to make necessary corrections.

Publication: All Cases That Test Your Skills manuscripts are considered for publication as either a print article or a “Web Exclusive” (online only) article at the discretion of the Editors and based on the publication’s editorial needs. Online-only Cases That Test Your Skills are listed on the Table of Contents of the print edition; published on the MDedge Psychiatry Web site; and receive promotional mention on the MDedge Psychiatry Facebook and Twitter pages. Authors of online-only Cases That Test Your Skills receive the same honorarium as authors whose work is published in print.)