Instructions for Authors
Prepare a clear, complete JHC submission by checking fit, manuscript requirements, declarations, and the available submission route before you begin.
These instructions organise the current JHC guidance into a practical sequence. They do not add publication-speed promises, new fee terms, or a new submission system.
Before you prepare
Confirm that the manuscript fits JHC and that you can provide the information needed for an editorial assessment.
- Read the Aims and Scope and select an appropriate manuscript category.
- Review Editorial Policies, the article processing charge, and the CC BY licence information.
- Keep a complete version of the manuscript and any supplementary material before starting the submission form.
Prepare the manuscript
Use descriptive headings and files that let editors and reviewers understand the research question, evidence, and relevance without unnecessary repetition.
Core manuscript elements
Prepare a title, abstract, keywords, author and affiliation details, main text, references, and any figures or tables needed to support the report.
Writing and references
Define abbreviations at first use. The current JHC guidance refers to English-language manuscripts and Vancouver references.
Study reporting
Use the reporting guidance that fits the design, such as CONSORT, STROBE, PRISMA, or CARE where applicable.
Article categories
JHC’s current public pages describe research articles, reviews, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, clinical case reports, short communications, letters, and invited perspectives. Check the current category requirements before final preparation.
Include the required declarations
Include the statements that apply to the work so the editorial team can evaluate it responsibly.
- Ethics approval and informed consent where applicable.
- Prospective clinical-trial registration where applicable.
- Authorship, funding, competing-interest, and data-availability statements.
- Permissions for material that is not original to the authors.
Prepare files and supporting material
Make the article and supporting files easy to identify and review.
Figures and tables
Provide figures and tables in a form that can be reviewed with the manuscript and clearly identify any supplementary material.
Supplementary files
Label supplementary files clearly and refer to them in the manuscript where readers or reviewers need context.
Language support
A language-editing service is described separately. Review that page for the current service information before deciding whether it is relevant to your manuscript.
Submit, review, revise and publish
Follow the route used for submission and the instructions it provides; no review or publication timetable is promised on this page.
Open the journal-preselected form
Use the existing JHC-preselected website form after completing the preparation checks.
Review before sending
Check author details, files, declarations, and the terms shown by the submission route before final submission.
Respond to editorial correspondence
If revisions or proofs are requested, address the points raised and keep a record of the revised files.
Publication and licence
For accepted work, review the applicable licence and payment information provided through the journal process.
Check fit and preparation before opening the form.
The current JHC-preselected route is provided for submission. It does not replace the author instructions or editorial policies.