Chris Oseh, freelance medical writer on Kolabtree, lists the top 20 medical journals for physicians to publish in, ranked by impact factor and readership.
Medical researches and breakthrough discoveries are usually published in medical journals for the public to access. Most physicians prefer to publish their research work in high-authority medical journals because of exposure to a wider audience and the credibility linked to authors published in high impact medical journals. Getting published is often a step towards career advancement for physicians and medical doctors.
Credible medical journals are rated according to their impact factor and their peer review process. An impact factor shows the number of times articles in a journal have been cited in a year. Medical journals with high impact factors are more influential in a general or specific area of medicine. Getting published in a journal is a complex and time-consuming task: identifying a research topic, conducting research and collecting data, writing the manuscript, identifying a journal, editing and formatting the paper, getting it reviewed. To make it easy for physicians to immediately understand the top medical journals that doctors aim to publish in, here’s a list of high impact medical journals and their key features.
1. CA-A Cancer Journal for Clinicians
- Impact factor: 120.83
- Readership: 100,000
- Time taken from acceptance to publication: Unspecified
- Focus subject area: Oncology
- Acceptance rate: Unspecified
It is a peer reviewed bimonthly journal published by Wiley for the American Cancer Society. It focuses on cancer research, diagnostics and therapeutics. Before manuscript submission, an editor reviews and approves a pre-submission document which describes the abstract and outline of a manuscript. It has a diverse group of readership that includes doctor, radiation oncologists and nurses.
Conditions for manuscript submission include: a cover letter, manuscript formatted using their guidelines Writing style and references must be in AMA manual of style 11th ed.
2. New England Journal of Medicine
- Impact factor: 74.699
- Readership: 600,000 globally per week
- Time taken from acceptance to publication: Unspecified
Focus subject area: General Medicine - Acceptance rate: 5%
New England Journal of Medicine (N.E.J.M) is the second most reputable medical journal. NEJM is published by the Massachusetts medical society in the United States of America and has been in existence for over 200 years. NEJM publications especially those related to global health are free to users who have opened a free account. It is a general medical journal and accepts researches across different specialities in medicine. It has rigorous editorial and peer review processes.
The conditions for publication are:
- Only original manuscripts are accepted.
- Authors must submit only one article.
- Authors must stick to the formatting guidelines.
- Submit only typed completed manuscript to the editor.
New authors on NEJM should request a pre-submission inquiry to assess how their manuscript fits NEJM. To expedite the process, a rapid review can be requested which it takes about 3 business days to get feedback on submitted manuscript. Public access to approved manuscripts takes 6 months post approval and 6 weeks for rejected manuscripts.
3. The Lancet Journal
- Impact factor: 60.392
- Readership: Unspecified
- Time taken from acceptance to publication: 4-8 weeks
Focus subject area: General Medicine - Acceptance rate: 5%
The Lancet journal is an internationally recognized general medical journal published by Elsevier and it accepts clinical trials and research papers in general medicine category. It has an extensive editorial and review process.
The conditions for publication are:
- Only original manuscripts are accepted.
- Manuscript must not be under consideration by another publication.
- Manuscripts must be submitted in English and formatting guide for articles, media content should be adhered to.
- Reference style is Vancouver.
4. Journal of the American Medical Association
- Impact factor: 51.273
- Readership: 277,000
- Time taken from acceptance to publication: 25 days foronline publication and 39 days for the print journal.
- Focus subject area: General medicine
- Acceptance rate: 10%
The Journal of the American Medical Association (J.A.M.A) is a reputable international peer reviewed medical journal. JAMA publication requirements are: manuscript length must be 3,000 words, <5 tables and or figures, structured abstract and strict adherence to formatting guidelines.
5. Journal of Clinical Oncology
- Impact factor: 32.956
- Readership: 35,000 members
- Time taken from acceptance to publication: Unspecified
- Focus subject area: Oncology
- Acceptance rate: 13%
It is a peer reviewed oncology journal with a publication frequency of three times per month with 75,000 institutional subscribers. Authors must submit original manuscript and stick to formatting guidelines.
6. Nature Medicine
- Impact factor: 32.621
- Readership: Unspecified
- Time taken from acceptance to publication: Unspecified
- Focus subject area: General Medicine
- Acceptance rate: Unspecified
Nature Medicine is a monthly peer reviewed general medicine journal. Research topics of manuscripts accepted are current concepts in human biology, artificial intelligence in health care, clinical trials of drugs etc. It also publishes health expert reviews, comments and opinions on trending medical researches.
7. British Medical Journal
- Impact factor: 30.223
- Readership: Unspecified
- Time taken from acceptance to publication: 48 days
Focus subject area: General Medicine - Acceptance rate: 7%
British Medical Journal (B.M.J) is a weekly peer reviewed general medical. B.M.J website has 2.7 million views per month. Authors must adhere to submission guidelines so their manuscript will be considered.
8. Cancer Cell Journal
- Impact factor: 22.84
- Readership: Unspecified
- Time taken from acceptance to publication: 3 months
- Focus subject area: Oncology
- Acceptance rate: Unspecified
Cancer Cell Journal is a peer reviewed oncology journal published by Cell Press on a monthly basis. Manuscripts related to cancer biology and research discoveries in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer are published. Authors are expected to format manuscript using stipulated guidelines.
9. European Heart Journal
- Impact factor: 22.673
- Readership: Unspecified
- Time taken from acceptance to publication: 10 days for fast track approval
- Focus subject area: Cardiology
- Acceptance rate: Unspecified
European Heart Journal (E.H.J) is a weekly peer reviewed journal of European Society of Cardiology. It publishes clinical and scientific articles as well as reviews associated with cardiovascular medicine. E.H.J has a rapid manuscript processing times which allows accepted manuscript to be published 10 days after approval. However, authors need to apply for rapid manuscript processing to be considered. Authors must comply with its manuscript formatting styles.
10. Annals of Internal Medicine
- Impact factor: 21.317
- Readership: 159,000
- Time taken from acceptance to publication: Unspecified
Focus subject area: General medicine - Acceptance rate: 6-8%
Annals Of Internal Medicine is a weekly peer reviewed general medicine journal by the American College of Physicians. It has a readership base of 159,000 members that includes American College of Physicians members and other physicians worldwide. It has a fast track manuscript review process which allows approval of submitted manuscript within one month of submission. However, authors need to apply and be approved for rapid review.
11. European Urology Journal
- Impact factor: 17.947
- Readership: 200,000
- Time taken from acceptance to publication: Unspecified
Focus subject area: Urology - Acceptance rate: Unspecified
European Urology Journal is a monthly peer reviewed journal for the European Association of Urology. The European Urology Journal accepts original research manuscripts, opinions and article reviews on urological disorders.
12. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
- Impact factor: 17.452
- Readership: 18,500
- Time taken from acceptance to publication: 2 days online and 4 months for printed version.
- Focus subject area: Respiratory medicine
- Acceptance rate: 11%
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine is a peer reviewed bi-monthly journal with focus on original research work focused on the pathophysiology and therapeutic intervention of respiratory diseases and critically ill patients. Authors must format their manuscripts using their formatting guidelines.
13. American Journal of Psychiatry
- Impact factor: 14.119
- Readership: 29,439
- Time taken from acceptance to publication: Unspecified
- Focus subject area: Psychiatry
- Acceptance rate: Unspecified
American Journal Of Psychiatry is a monthly journal of the American Psychiatry Association. The journal publishes content mainly on new diagnostic and therapeutic advances in mental health. It is rated amongst the most influential journals in psychiatry. Authors must adhere to manuscript submission guidelines.
14. American Journal of Gastroenterology
- Impact factor: 10.241
- Readership: Unspecified
- Time taken from acceptance to publication: Unspecified
- Focus subject area: Gastroenterology
- Acceptance rate: Unspecified
American Journal of Gastroenterology is published monthly for the American College of Gastroenterology. Original research articles, review articles and editorials on the latest research findings in clinical gastroenterology are published. The journal only accepts manuscripts formatted according to stated instructions.
15. Annals of Surgery
- Impact factor: 7.98
- Readership: Unspecified
- Time taken from acceptance to publication: Unspecified
- Focus subject area: Surgery
- Acceptance rate: Unspecified
Annals of Surgery is a peer reviewed monthly surgical journals that focuses on innovations and advances in surgery. Lippincott Williams. & Wilkins Limited is the publisher.
Authors are expected to follow their submission guidelines. First revision feedback takes about 33 days post submission.
16. International Journal of Epidemiology
- Impact factor: 7.07
- Readership: Unspecified
- Time taken from acceptance to publication: Unspecified
- Focus subject area: Epidemiology
- Acceptance rate: Unspecified.
International Journal of Epidemiology is a bi-monthly medical journal that publishes original research articles containing statistical data relevant to the practice of preventive and social medicine.
17. American Journal of Kidney Diseases
- Impact factor: 6.653
- Readership: Unspecified
- Time taken from acceptance to publication: Unspecified
- Focus subject area: Nephrology
- Acceptance rate: 18%
American Journal of Kidney Diseases is a monthly peer reviewed journal for the National Kidney Foundation. Original research articles, editorials and reviews related but not restricted to kidney diseases, hypertension, kidney transplantation etc. are published.
18. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Impact factor: 120
- Readership: 43,000
- Peer review duration: 2 months
- Focus subject area: Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Acceptance rate: 40% of well-reviewed manuscripts
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology journal is a peer reviewed monthly published by Mosby Inc/Elsevier. It publishes original research, reviews and opinions related to women’s health, diagnosis and treatment of gynecological disorders as well as obstetric conditions.
19. Journal of Pathology
- Impact factor: 5.979
- Readership: Unspecified
- Time taken from acceptance to publication: Unspecified
- Focus subject area: Pathology
- Acceptance rate: Unspecified
Journal of Pathology is a monthly peer reviewed journal of The Pathological Society. Original research papers, editorials and review articles related to the pathogenesis and pathological mechanisms of diseases are accepted. Authors must format their manuscripts using stipulated instructional guidelines.
20. Journal of Pediatrics
- Impact factor: 67
- Readership: Unspecified
- Time taken from acceptance to publication: Unspecified
- Focus subject area: Pediatrics
- Acceptance rate: Unspecified
Journal of Pediatrics is a monthly peer reviewed journal that publishes current advances in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood disorders. Original research articles and expert reviews on infant, childhood and adolescent disorders are accepted.
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The table below shows salient comparable features of top medical journals.
| Medical Journal | Impact Factor | Open Access | Peer Review
| Category | Publication Frequency | Print and/or Online Journal |
| CA-A Cancer Journal for Clinicians
| 120.83 | No | Yes | Oncology | Bi-monthly | Both |
| New England Journal of Medicine | 74.699 | Yes | Yes | General Medicine | Weekly | Both |
| The Lancet | 60.392 | Yes | Yes | General Medicine | Weekly | Both |
| Journal of the American Medical Association | 51.273 | Yes | Yes | General Medicine | Weekly | Both |
| Journal of Clinical Oncology | 32.956 | Yes | Yes | Oncology | 3 times per month | Both |
| Nature Medicine | 32.621 | Yes | Yes | General Medicine | Monthly | Both |
| British Medical Journal | 30.223 | Yes | Yes | General Medicine | Weekly | Both |
| Cancer Cell Journal | 22.84 | Yes | Yes | Oncology | Monthly | Both |
| European Heart Journal | 22.673 | Yes | Yes | Cardiology | Weekly | Both |
| Annals of Internal Medicine | 21.317 | Yes | Yes | General Medicine | Weekly | Both |
| European Urology | 17.947 | Yes | Yes | Urology | Monthly | Both |
| American Journal of Respiratory And Critical Care Medicine | 17.452 | No | Yes | Respiratory Medicine | Bi-monthly | Both |
| American Journal of Psychiatry
| 14.119 | No | Yes | Psychiatry | Monthly | Both |
| American Journal of Gastroenterology | 10.241 |
Yes |
Yes | Gastroenterology |
Monthly
|
Both |
| Annals of Surgery | 7.98 | Yes | Yes | Surgery | Monthly | Both |
| International Journal of Epidemiology | 7.07 | Yes | Yes | Epidemiology | Bi-monthly | Both |
| American Journal of Kidney Diseases | 6.653 | Hybrid | Yes | Nephrology | Monthly | Both |
| American Journal of Obstetrics And Gynaecology |
6.120 |
No |
Yes | Obstetrics-Gynaecology |
Monthly |
Both |
| Journal of Pathology | 5.979 | Yes | Yes | Pathology | Monthly | Both |
| Journal of Pediatrics | 3.67 | Yes | Yes | Pediatrics | Monthly | Both |
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