How to Write a Medical Original Article
Expert guidance from an editor on crafting a high-quality medical original article, from title page to final revisions.
How to Write a Medical Original Article: Advice from an Editor
Writing a medical original article requires a clear structure, precise language, and adherence to journal standards to ensure publication success. This guide outlines the essential components, from the title page to final revisions, drawing on editorial best practices.
The Basic Structure of a Medical Original Article
A standard medical original article follows a well-defined format to facilitate clear communication of research findings. The core elements include a title page, abstract, introduction, patients (or materials) and methods, results, discussion, summary or conclusion, references, tables, figures, legends, and acknowledgements.
This structure, often referred to as IMRAD (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion), is widely used in scientific publishing because it logically organizes information for readers and reviewers.
- Title Page: Contains the article title, authors, institutions, running title, keywords, word count, and correspondence details.
- Abstract: A concise summary of objectives, methods, results, and conclusions.
- Main Body: Introduction, methods, results, and discussion.
- End Matter: References, tables, figures, and acknowledgements.
Title Page Essentials
The title page is the first impression of your article. It must include an informative title that precisely states the study’s subject and type without revealing conclusions. Aim for maximum information in minimal words—ideally specific, comprehensive, and accurate.
Additional elements include:
- List of Authors and Institutions: Clearly attribute contributions.
- Running Title: A shortened version for headers (typically 40-50 characters).
- Keywords: 4-6 terms to aid database searches.
- Word Count: Most journals limit original articles to 2000-3000 words.
- Correspondence Address: Contact details for the corresponding author.
Reassess the title frequently; finalize it last to ensure it reflects the completed work.
Crafting an Effective Abstract
The abstract is the most critical section, often read first and indexed in databases. Write it last, structuring it into four paragraphs: objectives, patients/materials and methods, results, and conclusions. Limit to 200-300 words, avoiding abbreviations or references to the main text.
Key tips:
- Highlight the most important ideas.
- Be standalone—readers should grasp the study’s essence without the full article.
- Quantify results where possible for impact.
Introduction: Setting the Stage
The introduction comprises four parts: a short review of the subject, shortcomings of existing reports, aim of the study, and its scope.
Short Review
Begin with a concise, engaging overview of the core topic, supported by recent major references. Avoid lengthy historical reviews; keep it to 1-3 paragraphs.
Shortcomings of Existing Reports
Identify gaps in prior research objectively, justifying your study’s necessity without criticizing others harshly.
Aim and Scope
Clearly state the study’s objectives and boundaries to guide readers.
Patients (or Materials) and Methods: Reproducibility is Key
This section demands full transparency for reproducibility. Describe patients/materials, methods, study design, statistical analysis, and ethical considerations in detail.
- Patients/Materials: Inclusion/exclusion criteria, demographics.
- Methods: Step-by-step procedures.
- Study Design: Prospective, retrospective, randomized, etc.
- Statistics: Tests used, software, significance levels.
- Ethics: IRB approval, informed consent.
Reviewers scrutinize this for validity; omissions lead to rejection.
Results: Present Data Objectively
Report findings systematically without interpretation. Use text, tables, or graphs—but avoid duplication. Organize logically, not chronologically, including correlations.
Example Table: Common Data Presentation Formats
| Format | Use Case | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Text | Simple summaries | Narrative flow |
| Tables | Comparative data | Precise numbers |
| Figures/Graphs | Trends | Visual patterns |
Ensure all data is presented; readers expect completeness.
Discussion: Interpret and Contextualize
Start with an introduction to the discussion, then analyze results, compare with literature, highlight advantages, limitations, and recommendations.
- Introduction to Discussion: Restate key findings briefly.
- Discussion of Results: Explain implications, supported by references.
- Advantages: Novelty and contributions.
- Limitations: A dedicated paragraph on shortcomings and future improvements.
- Recommendations: Practical applications based on findings.
Maintain paragraph structure: topic sentence, supporting data, concluding sentence.
Summary or Conclusion
Provide a succinct wrap-up of main points and implications, avoiding new information.
References, Tables, Figures, and Acknowledgements
Follow journal style (e.g., Vancouver). Tables and figures must be self-explanatory with legends. Acknowledgements thank contributors without authorship claims.
Author’s Checklist
Use this checklist to self-review:
- Introduction: Review, shortcomings, aim, scope.
- Methods: Full descriptions, design, stats, ethics.
- Results: Data presentation, correlations.
- Discussion: Intro, results analysis, advantages, limitations, recommendations.
Writing Process: Three Versions
Follow this iterative approach for polish:
- First Version: Write methods, results (with provisional tables/figures), discussion, then introduction. Maximize information.
- Second Version: Sequence ideas logically. Revise visuals. Ask: Necessary? Correct section? Complete?
- Third Version: Prioritize: Shorten, simplify, summarize, omit non-essentials.
Examine the whole: Is it concise yet comprehensive?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the IMRAD structure?
The IMRAD format organizes articles into Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion for efficient communication.
How long should a medical original article be?
Typically 2000-3000 words, excluding references and tables.
When should I write the abstract?
Last, after the main text, to capture key ideas accurately.
Can I include personal opinions in the discussion?
No—base interpretations on data and cited literature objectively.
What if my study has limitations?
Dedicate a paragraph to them transparently, suggesting future work.
Reviewer Criteria and Journal Fit
Editors use checklists like originality, methodology rigor, and clarity. Tailor to journal guidelines (e.g., Frontiers requires specific formats for article types).
For health communication, systematic reviews need flow diagrams and bias assessments.
Ethical Considerations in Medical Writing
Always disclose conflicts, obtain ethics approval, and avoid plagiarism. Accurate reporting upholds scientific integrity.
By following this structured approach, aspiring authors can produce publishable medical original articles that advance health knowledge effectively.
References
- How to write a medical original article: Advice from an Editor — PMC/NCBI. 2015-04-29. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4434439/
- Structure of a Scholarly Article — Florida Atlantic University Libraries. Accessed 2026. https://libguides.fau.edu/science-resources/article-structure
- Article Types – Health Communication — Frontiers. Accessed 2026. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/communication/sections/health-communication/for-authors/article-types
- Scientific Writing and Scholarly Publishing: Article Writing — UCSF Library. Accessed 2026. https://guides.ucsf.edu/writingpublishing/articles
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