Article Outlines, Formatting, and Style

Journal Style

Editorial considerations are guided by the most current editions of the American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style and Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Topical Reviews in Pediatrics (TRiP) follows the AMA Manual of Style for citations.

AMA Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors, 11th Edition
Guidance on topics including grammar, style, terminology, ethical and legal issues, and authorship

Merriam-Webster Dictionary
The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary is a regularly updated, online-only reference. Although originally based on Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate® Dictionary, Eleventh Edition, the Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary has since been significantly updated and expanded with new entries and revised definitions.

Formatting and Outline Requirements

TRiP accepts the following types of articles:

  • Topical Review articles
  • Newborn Screening articles
  • Original Research articles
  • Case Studies
  • Clinical Tools
  • Patient Education
  • Creative Works
  • Letters
  • Puzzlers

Formatting and outline guidance are below for each of these article types. A downloadable outline in Word for Topical Review and Newborn Screening articles is also provided.

Topical Review Articles

Topical Review articles are pediatric primary care guides that contain healthcare topics, concise clinical decision-making support, and/or diagnosis and management information for clinicians caring for children and adolescents.

  • The audience is clinicians in general pediatrics.
  • Topical Review articles must follow the outline below.
  • The word count ranges from 3,000–6,000 words (excluding references, tables, and figures).
  • If updating an existing article, evaluate the age that the article was last written and whether any of the information has evolved or changed since then.
  • Images, tables, and graphics are helpful but must be original or in public domain.
  • References and citations follow the AMA Manual of Style, 11th Edition.
    • Cite sources consecutively with numbered superscripts throughout your document.
    • Use the numerals outside periods and commas but inside colons and semicolons.
    • If you are citing sequential references, these should be indicated with a hyphen. Nonsequential references should be separated with commas. There should not be a space between numbers.

Topical Review Article Outline
Word copy with author directions for Topical Review articles.

For an approximate example of a Topical Review article, see Cystic Fibrosis: Pediatric Primary Care Guide.

Primary Care Guides to a Positive Newborn Screen

Positive Newborn Screen articles address the immediate pediatric primary care response to a positive newborn screen for their newborn patient.  

  • The audience is clinicians in general pediatrics.
  • The articles must follow the outline below.
  • The word count ranges from 1,000–5,000 words.
  • References and citations follow the AMA Manual of Style, 11th Edition.
    • Cite sources consecutively with numbered superscripts throughout your document.
    • Use the numerals outside periods and commas but inside colons and semicolons.
    • If you are citing sequential references, these should be indicated with a hyphen. Nonsequential references should be separated with commas. There should not be a space between numbers.

Primary Care Guide to a Positive Newborn Screen Outline
Word copy with author directions for positive newborn screening articles.

For an example of this type of article, see Phenylketonuria (PKU): Primary Care Guide to a Positive Newborn Screen.

Original Research

An Original Research article is written by the person or people who conducted the experiment or observations. Original research articles are considered empirical or primary sources and present an original study. Articles that look at multiple studies are not considered original research articles and may be better submitted as a Topical Review. TRiP requires an Abstract and follows the IMRAD outline for original research articles, which stands for Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion.

  • The audience is clinicians in general pediatrics.
  • Submit an abstract and follow IMRAD outline.
  • The word count ranges from 3,000–6,000 words (excluding references, tables, and figures).
  • Images, tables, and graphics are helpful but must be original or in public domain.
  • References and citations follow the AMA Manual of Style, 11th Edition.
    • Cite sources consecutively with numbered superscripts throughout your document.
    • Use the numerals outside periods and commas but inside colons and semicolons.
    • If you are citing sequential references, these should be indicated with a hyphen. Nonsequential references should be separated with commas. There should not be a space between numbers.

For an example of an Original Research article, see Comparative Analysis of Psychological and Functional Patterns in Non-Binary and Transgender Youth with Autonomic Dysfunction.

Case Studies

Case studies help clinicians manage complicated patients with rare or unusual diagnoses and may also stimulate hypothesis-driven research. It is a narrative that describes, for medical, scientific, or educational purposes, a medical problem experienced by 1 or more patients. TRiP supports systematic reporting guidelines for case reports. Please follow the CARE outline and guidelines for case reports.

  • The audience is clinicians in general pediatrics.
  • Follow the CARE outline.
  • The word count ranges from 500-1500 words (excluding references, tables, and figures).
  • Tables and graphics are helpful but must be original or in public domain.
  • References and citations follow the AMA Manual of Style, 11th Edition.
    • Cite sources consecutively with numbered superscripts throughout your document.
    • Use the numerals outside periods and commas but inside colons and semicolons.
    • If you are citing sequential references, these should be indicated with a hyphen. Nonsequential references should be separated with commas. There should not be a space between numbers.

Clinical Tools

Clinical tools have a crucial role in improving health outcomes, enhancing patient engagement, and supporting clinical decision-making. They include standardized instruments (care process models, checklists, algorithms, questionnaires, screeners, etc.) used by healthcare professionals to evaluate a child’s health, development, and well-being.

Suggested Clinical Tool Outline

I. Abstract

  • Summary of the new clinical tool, its purpose, and significance.
  • Target patient population and clinical settings where it applies.
  • Implications for clinical practice.

II. The Tool

III. Description

  • Background on the clinical need or problem being addressed.
  • Rationale for developing this new clinical tool.
  • Key features and functionalities.

IV. Development and Validation

  • Research, testing, or validation studies conducted.
  • Comparison with existing tools (if applicable).
  • Methodology used to evaluate its effectiveness (clinical trials, pilot studies, etc.).

V. Clinical Applications

  • How the tool improves diagnosis, treatment, or patient management.
  • Practical use in healthcare settings.
  • Case studies or real-world examples (if available).

VI. Benefits and Advantages

  • Improved patient outcomes.
  • Increased efficiency or accuracy in clinical practice.
  • Cost-effectiveness and ease of use.

VII. Challenges and Limitations

  • Potential barriers to adoption.
  • Limitations observed in early use or testing.
  • Limitations of existing tools or methods.
  • Areas for future improvement and research.

VIII. Future Directions

  • Possible refinements or updates.
  • Expansion to additional patient populations or healthcare settings.
  • Further studies needed for validation.

IX. Conclusion

  • Summary of key points.
  • Final thoughts on the tool’s impact on clinical practice.
  • Call to action for adoption, further research, or collaboration.

For an example of a Clinical Tool article, see Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes Screening & Management Care Process Model.

Patient Education

TRiP will consider various formats for patient education; however, the FAQ format with the template questions below is recommended.  The goal of patient education is to improve patient health by equipping families with knowledge about medical conditions and care options. Patient education contains no jargon. The medical terminology is explained, and the content sticks to a few main points. It should be easy to read. Patient education is peer-reviewed.

  • The audience is families.
  • The word count is approximately 1,000 words.
  • Photos are helpful but must be original or in public domain.
  • Make sure the patient education offers more than what is freely accessible online.
  • If updating an existing article, evaluate the age of the original page and what new has occurred that needs to be relayed. Has anything changed since this was written?
  • For the FAQ format, evaluate if there are missing concepts specific to the condition. If so, you can add up to 3 new questions – please keep all the other questions.
  • Use language that a 6th grader would likely understand. Consider using AI to find new ways to express medical concepts more simply. (Check AI text for accuracy and rework it.)

FAQ Template Questions

  • What is (condition name)? 
  • How do you get (condition name)? 
  • What are the symptoms? 
  • How is it diagnosed? 
  • What is the expected outcome? 
  • Will anyone else in the family get (condition name)? 
  • What is the treatment? 
  • How will my family’s life be changed? 
  • Optional – up to 3 additional questions

For an example of Patient Education using the FAQ template, see Learn About Cystic Fibrosis.

Creative Works

Creative works include personal essays, poetry, reflective writing, and original art. The goal is to support the interpersonal and reflective aspects of medicine. Creative works support pediatric clinicians in maintaining their personal voice and thinking outside the box. Creativity allows clinicians to go beyond standard protocols to find the best solution for each individual patient. TRiP recognizes that medicine, although based in science, is inherently a creative act with uncertainty and ambiguity.

For an example of a creative article, see A Day in November.

Letters

Letters are short, subjective, perspective pieces about navigating healthcare. Please keep the word count under 500 words.

Puzzlers

Puzzlers are based on an interesting medical case to help others learn from them. Authors are encouraged to present the case with multiple-choice questions. Answers are then presented at a later date. Please provide an explanation of the correct answer.