Instructions for Authors
At JETem, we believe that all learners should benefit from active learning. We are an online, open access, peer-reviewed journal-repository for EM educators in all major topic areas. JETem is published quarterly. We accept submissions of team-based learning, small group learning and workshops, simulation, podcasts, lectures, innovations, curricula and submissions to our image bank. If you are unsure which category your educational module belongs in, just email us (JETemOnline@gmail.com) and we will help!
All submissions (except VisualEM) should have been presented, tested and edited accordingly. We find that submissions that have never been used (particularly simulation and oral boards cases) will have issues when actually implemented. By testing the learning materials you can ensure clarity of your content and address any issues.
Submitted manuscripts and case reports (VisualEM submissions) should be blinded for review, but authors should include a cover letter with all authors with respective titles (MD, PhD, MS, etc), institutions, departments, and twitter handles. As well as any conflicts of interest, and address of correspondence.
Please note we do charge a $150 acceptance fee to help cover costs of copy-editing and administration (these fees are waived for VisualEM submissions). Please note that none of our editors receive any form of compensation (buy down, stipend) for their work on JETem. The acceptance fee is purely to cover costs for our website, staff copyeditors, and other administrative staff. This acceptance fee is only charged once your submission has been accepted. JETem is willing to waive the acceptance fee after the article has been accepted for authors who come from low income or lower middle income countries on a case by case basis.
To facilitate prompt peer review, before submitting, please adhere to the following guidelines. Papers submitted without these features will be returned to the authors for completion.
Formatting
- Manuscript is 12 point Times New Roman font.
- Manuscript is double-spaced.
- Define all abbreviations upon first use (eg. “complete blood count (CBC)”)
- For consistency in lab value reporting, JETem follows the units used by the American Board of Emergency Medicine for their Normal Laboratory Values for Examinations. Please use these units in your submission.
- Continuous line numbering is included in left hand margin [WORD directions: Page Layout -> Line Numbers -> Continuous].
- Title is included at the top of the first page.
- Please use associated forms for submission and maintain formatting and headings. Delete italicized instructions before submission.
- Manuscript is Blinded- Any mention of the authors/institution in which study was performed is removed. Insert “blinded for peer review” or “xxx” in place of institution and names.
- Abstract contains the labeled sections as per individual subject (see submission forms).
JETem adheres to the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals: Writing and Editing for Biomedical Publication (http://www.icmje.org/icmje-recommendations.pdf).
Images
- All images must be high-quality JPGs with a minimum resolution of 300 pixels/inch
- You must cite source for every image used, please provide citation directly above the image with the image title. We request the following format: Author of image (if given). Title of image. In: Author of electronic resource (if given) . Electronic Resource Title [medium]. Link. Version number (if given). Place of publication: Publisher; date of publication. Copyright (eg. CCBY 4.0)
- For example:
- Larson, G. Lead generated ventricular tachycardia. In: Wikimedia Commons. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/12_lead_generated_ventricular_tachycardia.JPG. Published August 14, 2016. Accessed September 11, 2017. CC BY-SA 3.0.
- If author’s own image then you can just write “Image Name: Author’s own image.”
Videos
- Up to 1 minute for radiologic findings such as ultrasound, CT, or MRI.
- Up to 5 minutes for other videos (e.g. demonstrations of a procedure).
- Up to 60 minutes for lecture or podcast videos
- Submit in mp4 format.
- Submit in Standard Definition of 480 and HD of 720 or higher if possible.
References
- 2-3 References are the customary minimums. All submissions must contain references.
- Listed in the order in which they first appear in text (not alphabetically).
- References follow the American Medical Association Citation Style Guide.
- (http://www.lib.jmu.edu/citation/amaguide.pdf) except:
- Authors: List up to five authors, before putting et al. If there are only two authors, replace comma between names with “and”.
- Include DOI without a hyperlink.
- Delete spaces between publication year, volume, issue, and page numbers.
- Journal names are abbreviated and italicized.
- Reference numbers should be placed after the period as a superscript, like this.1 Arabic numerals (i.e. 1,2,3) are used instead of roman numerals (i.e. i, ii, iii).
Submitting
What to Submit:
- Complete submission form.
- Title page as supplemental file with all authors, titles, and affiliations.
- Submission is uploaded as Microsoft Word Document.
- Supplemental Files are all included.
- Images/Videos- uploaded in .jpeg format with proper resolution (300 pixels/inch). Videos must be in .mp4 format
- All Lectures must be in .ppt or .key format
- Signed patient waiver and permissions form acknowledging potential publication and accessibility on the internet for images/videos containing of patients.
Common Pitfalls
- Please ensure that figures/images/tables are uploaded twice: under supplemental files and also in the manuscript.
- References should be numbered using the numbering function in Microsoft Word instead of numbered by hand.
- Include Cover letter under supplemental file with all author information.
- Figures/Images are of sufficient resolution and quality.
- Provide a blinded manuscript.
TBL is small group learning that involves pre-class preparation so that learners are ready to learn, followed by in-class exercises that test learners on the material and challenge them to apply the concepts as a team. The benefit of TBL is a single instructor can often implement it for a large number of learners.
Tips for Successful Submissions:
- Classic TBL (cTBL) consists of learner responsible content (LRC, pre-class assignment), individual readiness assessment test (iRAT), multiple-choice group RAT (gRAT) with immediate feedback assessment technique (IF/AT), and group application exercise (GAE). However, we also accept submissions for modified TBL (mTBL), which has variations on the usual format, for example, no LRC, or a short-answer iRAT, and gRAT where the answers are discussed as a large group after completion instead of utilization of IF/AT.
- Submissions should require sufficient instructions for users to reproduce the session. This will include all content, as well as pre-reading for the instructor and discussion points for the session.
Small group learning is done in small groups facilitated by instructors. This can include worksheets, questions, application exercises, games, escape rooms or scavenger hunts. Workshops can encompass a variety of learning experiences that are often hands-on and done in small groups or individually. Learning experiences that occur in a single sitting but include a variety of content to teach the concepts (such as lectures, worksheets, hands-on portions, etc.) usually fit best into this category.
Tips for Successful Submissions:
- Submissions require sufficient instructions for instructors to reproduce the learning session. This will include all content, as well as pre-reading for the instructor and discussion points for the session.
- Application exercises are more effective than content review. Small group sessions that involve just filling-in-blank, applying memorization, or pimping are generally not effective.
- Small group learning should focus on learner discussion, authors should ensure the content is amenable to learner discussion and will not encourage simple question and answer from instructors.
Simulation is a case-based scenario written to be used in high- or moderate-fidelity simulation settings. These submissions include a timeline for implementation of the simulation and JPGs to be uploaded into a simulation.
Tips for Successful Submissions:
- Simulation cases are most effective when they are uncommon or critical situations that allow learners to practice managing ill patients in a realistic, safe setting
- Be sure to include all aspects of the history (onset, provocation, quality, radiation, severity, timing), as well as a realistic and complete physical exam.
- A stimulus inventory is required. These are the results that will be presented to the learners during the simulation. Authors must include a single PowerPoint file of all stimuli (single slide per stimulus each with a JPG on the slide).
- For consistency in lab value reporting, JETem follows the units used by the American Board of Emergency Medicine for their Normal Laboratory Values for Examinations. Please use these units in your submission.
- Please consider what the most critical actions of the scenario are and include those in the submission. If they are important enough to be critical actions then they should appear somewhere in the simulation events table.
- The simulation events table allows authors to layout the timeline with explicit instructions so simulation technicians can run the simulation with appropriate changes in clinical status and vital signs, and know when to provide results to the learners. It should include branch points and “if-then” explanations of what should be done if learners do or do not perform critical actions.
- The simulation assessment timeline is to be used by instructors to note when critical actions or errors occurred and facilitate debriefing. Authors only need to edit the critical actions and title on this page.
- The simulation assessment is a standardized assessment form based on ACGME EM Milestones to facilitate assessment in simulation. Authors only need to edit the critical actions and title on this page.
Lectures can be submitted in either Keynote or Powerpoint. Lectures must be interactive, engaging, and high quality to be accepted by JETem.
Tips for Successful Submissions:
- Lectures need to build on concepts that learners already know rather than regurgitate textbook information.
- Be sure to include methods that promote active learning (such as pause procedures, simulation, audience response systems, or small group discussion).
- Generally, shorter is better.
- For more information on what makes a high-quality lecture please see Wolff M, Wagner MJ, Poznanski S, Schiller J, and Santen S. Not just another boring lecture: Engaging learners with active learning techniques. J Emerg Med 2015. 48(1):85-93.
- The visual aspect of the lecture should not be distracting to learners. Minimize text on slides and incorporate Richard Mayer’s Principles of Multimedia Learning.
- Be sure to embed fonts into your presentation or use common fonts (for example Arial, Times New Roman).
- Lectures must have extensive presenter notes for the lecturer so it can be reproduced.
- If you implement pause-procedures, audience response systems or small group discussion be sure to provide sufficient instructions for implement by other instructors.
Podcasts can be submitted as video (MP4) or audio (MP3) format. Like lectures, these should be high-yield, engaging and high quality to be accepted by JETem.
Tips for Successful Submissions:
- Usually shorter is better
- For more information on what makes a high-quality lecture please see Wolff M, Wagner MJ, Poznanski S, Schiller J, and Santen S. Not just another boring lecture: Engaging learners with active learning techniques. J Emerg Med 2015. 48(1):85-93.
- If submitting a video podcast, the visual aspect of the podcast should not be distracting to learners. Minimize text on slides, and be sure to incorporate Richard Mayer’s Principles of Multimedia Learning.
Oral boards cases are to be used for oral board practice and assessment. These are different than simulation as they do not require specific timelines, and all stimuli are included in the hardcopy of the case to be handed to learners.
We also offer a submission form for Structured Interview Oral Board format below, if you are submitting a structured interview case.
Tips for Successful Submissions:
- A stimulus inventory is required. These are the results that will be handed to the learners during the oral board case.
- Ensure images used for oral boards cases are clear and will print well for instructors.
- For consistency in lab value reporting, JETem follows the units used by the American Board of Emergency Medicine for their Normal Laboratory Values for Examinations. Please use these units in your submission.
- Ensure cases are clear with minimal distractors and your stimuli and history make the diagnosis clearly apparent. Vague cases or cases with multiple possible final diagnoses likely do not represent the ABEM Oral Exam well and will not be accepted.
- Be sure to include all aspects of the history (onset, provocation, quality, radiation, severity, timing), as well as a realistic and complete physical exam.
- Please consider what the most critical actions of the scenario are and include those in the submission. Typically a case will include 3-6 critical actions.
- Please test your case with at least 3-5 residents. You will find that running the case brings up points of confusion that can be clarified prior to submission.
Curricula are longitudinal modules meant to be presented to learners over a period of time (as opposed to a single learning session). A curriculum may incorporate many of the other types of learning modalities including lecture, reading, simulations, or small group learning.
Tips for Successful Submissions:
- Elements of submitted curricula should still be high-quality and engaging (such as high-quality lectures and small groups).
- Authors must include all elements of the curriculum so other instructors can reproduce it.
Innovations are hands-on interactive methods to teach procedures and other skills, such as simulators and task trainers. For example, instructions on how to create a low-cost cricothyrotomy task trainer, and how to implement it into a residency curriculum. Novel general education techniques that can be recreated by other programs should also be submitted under this category.
Tips for Successful Submissions:
- Innovations should be reproducible and affordable for other educators to recreate.
- The submission will need to include step-by-step instructions to create the task-trainer or education technique as well as methods for implementation with learners.
VisualEM submissions are for classic, interesting, or unusual images. We want to create the largest open access emergency medicine image library for use by educators and learners. Each submission will include an associated clinical vignette and pertinent information about important image findings. Please note that VisualEM requirements changed significantly as of 3/22/19 to adhere to PMC quality requirements, please review requirements and new submission form below.
Tips for Successful Submissions:
- We love images! If it’s a good image – send it in!
- All submissions must be accompanied with a CARE checklist (see download below) and should meet those requirements when possible.
- Be sure to include pertinent clinical information to put the image into a clinical context for learners.
- Images must be clear and the author must have rights to submit the image.
- Images should be submitted in JPG format or MP4 format (for videos) with a minimum resolution of 300 pixels/inch
- Patient identifiers should be removed when possible (e.g. crop out dates and medical record numbers). If the image involves patient identifying information (such as photographs), patient consent is required and needs to be included with the submission.
- Images should be submitted in both annotated and unannotated forms.
- JETem VisualEM images are not numbered and DO NOT have captions. All descriptions of images and annotations should be within the “Significant Findings” section. Using different types or colors of annotations on different images will cue your readers as to which image is being discussed.
If you would like to contribute an image to the JETem image repository without associated write-up please feel free to email jetemonline@gmail.com. We will give you appropriate credit for the image.
- Images must be clear and the author must have rights to submit the image.
- If the image involves patient identifying information, patient consent is required and needs to be included with the submission.