In order to facilitate double-blinding during the peer review process, we ask that the title page be submitted in a separate file; this is required when submitting through the manuscript submission system, Editorial Manager. Editorial Manager will automatically blind the title page for peer reviewers. The title page is the only file that should have identifying information. 

Title page file(s) must contain:

• Title
• Author names and affiliations
• Conflicting and Competing Interests
• Funding Statement
• Acknowledgements (for all contributors, except authors)
• Word count
• Keywords (Please use the National Library of Medicine's Medical Subject Headings (MESH) 2025) to determine keywords.
• MS Word File only; PDFs are not accepted. 

Abstract

• The word count for the abstract is separate from that of the body of the paper. Abstracts should be 200 - 250(max) words.
• Whenever possible, the abstract should have a structured format, using section headers appropriate to the text, such as background or introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusions, etc.
• All research articles and commentaries should include abstracts, which allows indexing services to better discover JABFM articles. If a structured abstract does not apply to your paper, the JABFM will also accept an unstructured abstract.
• MS Word File only; PDFs are not accepted. 

Body of Manuscript

• The body of the manuscript, submitted in a separate file from the title page, should begin with only the title of the manuscript on the first page. The second page should then start with the body of the manuscript. 
• Authors should also consider removing other obvious references to author names in the body of the manuscript, where feasible.
• For revised manuscripts, changes between the two most recent versions should be underlined. A marked-up version of the manuscript may also be uploaded. 
• Please turn on the continuous line number feature in the Word document under the 'layout' tab, so that our editors and peer reviewers can identify and comment on specific lines in your manuscript. 
• MS Word File only; PDFs are not accepted. 

References

• The JABFM uses the American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style.
• The reference list should not include manuscripts in preparation, manuscripts submitted for publication but not yet accepted, observations, or personal communications. References to unpublished material may include material accepted for publication but not yet published (e.g. in press), and presentations made at scientific or professional meetings.
• List all authors when there are 6 or fewer; when there are 7 or more, list the first 3, then et al. For examples refer to: American Medical Association Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors (11th Edition) and ICMJE Recommendations for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals.
• References should be double-spaced using in-line numerals, and should start on a separate page.
• Use superscripts or in-line parentheses in the body of the manuscript to indicate references.
• References first cited in tables or figure legends must be numbered so that they are in sequence with references cited in the text.
• Authors are responsible for checking the accuracy of their reference citations.
• MS Word File only; PDFs are not accepted. 

Tables

JABFM follows AMA style for tables. The AMA style guide may be consulted for detail beyond these notes:

• Please use Microsoft Word's table feature. Excel files may not be submitted, although the cells may be copied and pasted into Word.
• Excessive tabular data are discouraged.
• Auto-formatting, text boxes, graphics boxes, and drawings may prevent file conversion and should not be used.
• Tables should appear at the end of the manuscript, double spaced and placed on separate sheets. Insert in the body of the manuscript a bracketed note as to the approximate placement of each table; e.g., [Insert Table 1].
• Table titles, labels, and explanatory notes should have sufficient detail to permit interpretation without referring to the text.
• Footnotes should use the following symbols, in this sequence: * (asterisk), ±(dagger), ± (double dagger), ± (section mark), || (parallel mark), ± (paragraph symbol), # (number sign), ** (asterisk, repeated), ±± (dagger, repeated), ±± (double dagger, repeated), etc.
• All abbreviations should be defined in the footnotes for each table.
• If the table is adapted from another source, it is the authors' responsibility to request permission to adapt the table and pay any royalties/fees. The editorial office will ask for this documentation if the manuscript is accepted. 

Figures and Illustrations

• Acceptable file types for figures include: JPEG, TIFF, EPS, and PDF. Figures and illustrations should be high resolution and professional quality.
• Each figure should be uploaded as a seperate file.
• Symbols, lettering, and numbering should be clear, and these elements should be large enough to remain legible after the figure has been reduced.
• Figures should have legends descriptive enough to permit interpretation without referring to the text. Submit figure legends on a separate page.
• Figure titles, labels, and explanatory notes should have sufficient detail to permit interpretation without referring to the text.
• All abbreviations should be defined in the footnotes for each figure.
• Once a manuscript is accepted for publication, authors must provide separate files for all illustrations and figures (including charts and graphs) in high-quality, camera-ready, reproducible form. JABFM strongly encourages authors to submit figures in separate digital files at the outset. However, if necessary, for review purposes figures may be embedded in the manuscript, after the tables.
• Original photos or artwork in hard copy are not accepted.
• If the figure is adapted from another source, it is the authors' responsibility to request permission to adapt the figure and pay any royalties/fees. The editorial office will ask for this documentation if the manuscript is accepted. 

Formatting and Style

• Manuscripts should be double spaced throughout, including references.
• Page numbers should appear on all pages.
• Please use line numbers in the body of the manuscript. This will make it easier for reviewers to identify particular areas of your manuscript. This function can be turned on in the Word document.
• Word (or similar word-processing) files are best for submission. PDFs will not be accepted.
• Auto-formatting, text boxes, graphics boxes, or drawings may prevent file conversion and should not be used in the body of the manuscript.
• Abbreviations are discouraged, except for units of measurement. The first time an abbreviation appears, it should be in parentheses after the words for which it stands.
• Generic names of drugs should be used, rather than brand names.
• Gender bias should be avoided and gender-inclusive language used whenever possible.
• Use the most precise definition, as possible, of who you are talking about, (i.e. use physicians when talking about physicians). When the group is mixed, define who is all included (i.e. physicians, PAs, NPs, nurses, etc.) The JABFM prefers 'clinician' over the term 'provider'.
• Footnotes in the body of the manuscript are not accepted. 
• Table and figure titles need to include detailed, descriptive information on the sample and time/context of data collection, when possible.
• For revised manuscripts, changes between the two most recent versions should be underlined. A marked-up version of the manuscript may also be uploaded. 

MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION

Access to Editorial Manager (EM)

The Editorial Manager (EM) online system may be accessed on the JABFM home page. To create a new author account, please following the following steps:

• Access EM via our website or directly through the Editorial Manager Author Portal.
• Click on author portal in the center area of our home page.
• If you're a first-time user, you will need to create an author account, where you will choose a User Name and Password.
• Insert your User Name and Password. These are case-sensitive.
• If you have difficulty accessing EM, it may be the result your firewall or pop-up blocker settings.

File Upload and Accepted File Types

You will be asked to submit your files in the following order (MS Word is the only accepted file type for the title page, abstract, and manuscript/references):

• Title page (Required - MS Word file only) 
• Abstract (Required for most submissions - MS Word file only)
• Manuscript and References (Required -  Please use page numbers and line numbers; MS Word file only) 
• Tables (Optional - No Excel files accepted; however, they can be pasted into a Word file)
• Figures (Optional - Each figure must be uploaded separately; acceptable files include: JPEG, TIFF, EPS, PDF) 
• Appendices (Optional - All file types mentioned above are accepted)
• IMPORTANT NOTE: ​Please DO NOT upload a cover letter (for blinding purposes). There is a section in the online submission form to type (or copy and paste) your correspondence to the editor.  

The following information is required when submitting through the Editorial Manager Author Portal and should be handy:

• Abstract​
• Funding statement
• Conflict of interest statement 
• Classifications / Keywords
• Recommendation of 2 peer reviewers:
  • ​​​Peer reviewers do not have to be agreeable at the point of submission. The editorial office will handle the recruiting and invitation process if an additional reviewer is needed for your manuscript.
  • These recommendations can be those who are experts in the field of your manuscript and should be without conflicts of interest to any of the authors. 
  • Most authors find these suggested reviewers in the literature, i.e. the manuscript’s references and/or PubMed, where most corresponding author information can be found, including email addresses. 
• Response to reviewers (for revised manuscripts; please use page and line numbers for each comment)

Peer Review

The peer review process takes approximately 60-90 days, depending upon peer reviewer availability and the subject matter of the submission. We strive to keep your manuscript the least amount of time possible, while still providing a thorough and thoughtful review.