So, you want to get published in The Lancet or NEJM and do not know how? Well, these are some of the leading journals in the field of medicine. These are top-rated and among the ten most reputed journals in medicine.

However, getting published in the Lancet or NEJM may appear out of reach of most researchers. Nevertheless, that is not the case. There are some ways to get published in these high-impact medical journals with less effort.

Of course, needless to say, if you work in a reputed medical institution dedicated to medical research or you are a full-time medical researcher by profession, then getting your article accepted by Lancet or Nature is not difficult.

This article is for the rest of us, for doctors or those who are not full-time researchers and looking for easier or more straightforward ways to get published in The Lancet or NEJM. Well, there is a way out if one knows how to choose the right path to publication.

Most of us are not working in large teams, labs, or research centers. Nonetheless, we can contribute to science in our own way, in smaller and yet relevant ways. Even the simplest of medical or research articles might add something new to the existing knowledge. Medicine is a vast field, and there is just so much that needs to be brought to the notice of everyone; there is so much to be shared.

Choose The Right Journal

You must be amazed that we started with NEJM and The Lancet, and now we are saying that we should choose the right journal. What does it mean? Well, NEJM is indeed just a single journal. However, The Lancet has now expanded to include many journals. Thus, there is The Lancet Diabetes, The Lancet Neurology, The Lancet Digital Health, The Lancet Gastroenterology, The Lancet Haematology, The Lancet HIV, and many more.

Getting published in The Lancet is challenging due to very high publishing standards. Every top-rated researcher, lab, and institution is fighting for a place in the next journal issue. However, now that Lancet has expanded, instead of choosing “The Lancet,” which is among the top ten journals in the world, go for other journals by the Lancet that are still quite reputed but relatively easier to publish.

This is not only the case of The Lancet but many other journals like the JAMA (e.g., JAMA OPEN NETWORK) or Nature (Nature Medicine, Nature Immunology, and more).

So, our number one recommendation is that instead of targeting the number one or number two journal in the world, why not target other journals by the same publishers that are quite reputable but a little below on the rating list? This will considerably ease your tasks.

Choose The Right Kind of Article, Article Type, or Topic

That is great if you have done some groundbreaking research, found something new, identified some new molecule, or proven some theory. There is not much challenge in getting published in The Lancet or NEJM. However, in the rest of the cases, it is better to go forward with some different kind of topic rather than with an original research article.

Even if you have some original research article, chances are slim that it will get published in The Lancet or NEJM until or unless the research is not groundbreaking. Thus, for example, “a survey study looking at the attitudes of people in Bhutan towards vaccines” is original but not groundbreaking.

So, instead of going for an original research article presenting some research that is not groundbreaking or would not have much impact on medical practice, go for something else.

Below are a few research topics that are more likely to be accepted by The Lancet, NEJM, or other High Impact Journals:

• Case Reports: Most clinicians might encounter some unusual cases during their practice. Even those not practicing for long might have something to share that is not mentioned in textbooks, rarely discussed, and yet relevant. One may share case reports about some rare diseases, specific treatment approaches, and more.
• Editorial and Commentary Articles: Editorials are written by experts in the field and provide commentary or opinions on current issues, research trends, or controversial topics in medicine. Commentary articles may also offer a personal perspective on a medical issue. It is always easy to present your personal perspective on just anything.
• Letters to the Editor: These often discuss, comment, or provide feedback on research articles published earlier in the journal. This is a really good way to show your expertise in the field, and get your name registered in some of the world’s reputed and high-impact journals.
• Historical Articles: Not all journals may accept them, but if they do, historical articles could be easier to get accepted by a reputed journal. It is a good idea to share the history of some specific medical field from a local perspective.
• Health Policy and Healthcare Management: These articles examine healthcare systems, policies, and management strategies, aiming to improve the delivery and organization of healthcare services.
• Innovations in Medical Technology: You do not essentially have to innovate or create something new to discuss it. One can also discuss new techs that may profoundly impact medicine, patient care, and so on, like the use of digital tech, AI, robots, and much more. It is more about identifying the right topic.

Of course, apart from these articles, you are always encouraged to share original research articles, RCTs, literature reviews, Review articles, systemic reviews, and more. If you have issues getting published in high-impact journals, why not consider the Annals of Innovation in Medicine (AIM)?

Enhance Presentation

Doctors might be good at science but moderately good at writing and even worse at graphical presentation. However, if you want to get published in The Lancet, NEJM, JAMA, or other equally reputed journals, you must make some extra effort.

Please spend some time enhancing the presentation of your manuscript and improving its language, presentation, and writing style. Most importantly, ensure your article contains original, high-quality images, diagrams, and tables. Present your manuscript in such a way that it is visually appealing and easy to understand. Remember that how you present your manuscript counts.

Even an excellent research article may be refused if it is poorly presented. On the other hand, if your article is presented well, the chances are high that it would be accepted in a journal like The Lancet or NEJM.

Support Your Manuscript with High Impact Cover Letter

When it comes to presentation, it is not just about the article; researchers also need to present themselves as experts in their field in a believable and true way. Remember that reputed or high-impact scholarly journals like The Lancet or NEJM only like to be associated with well-known experts in their fields.

Therefore, ensure that there is a high-impact cover letter along with your manuscript. Share in detail about your experience and expertise. Try to present yourself in the best of light. Remember that getting published in a high-impact journal is more like getting a highly-paid job.

To sum up, getting published in The Lancet, NEJM, or JAMA may not be easy, but it is not as difficult as it may sound. There are some ways to get published more readily. Follow the tips given in this article, and there is a high chance that your manuscript will be accepted for publication by these reputed journals.