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JDNPPA® Submission and Style Guide

The Journal of Dermatology for Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants (JDNPPA)® is an independent peer-reviewed, open-access scientific journal focused on cutaneous health and diseases. Created by NPs and PAs for NPs and PAs, the journal’s mission is to promote and foster camaraderie, collaboration, and innovative excellence between NPs, PAs, medical doctors, and other allied health professionals in dermatology, and other closely related specialties, through evidence-based education and publishing.

As such, manuscripts should reflect the breadth of dermatology and should meet our editorial scope and purposes, which include, but are not limited to, original research, systematic literature reviews, feature articles on dermatological conditions and their treatments, case reports and case series, office pearls related to diagnostic clues, surgical and/or cosmetic procedures, interviews with well-recognized individuals or organizations, commentaries on published literature, conference reports and podium updates, opinion essays, professional development pieces, and letters to the editor.

JDNPPA’s submission requirements have been developed, adopted, and modified by reviewing other well-established journal-submission requirements and by incorporating recommendations from three internationally recognized advisory entities—the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), and the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)—for guidance on policies and procedures related to publication ethics.

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Table of Contents

Editorial Overview and Policies

Conducting, analyzing, and publishing scientific data has well-established expectations and protocols that this journal will uphold and help you master. Be open to feedback and positive editorial comments and suggestions from our accomplished and dedicated Editorial Board. We pledge to work with you to produce a final publication that will reflect the highest standards of scientific reporting. Original research, literature reviews, case reports, and case-series reports will undergo a blinded peer-review process.

First things first, original research means that your submission is unique, not copied or duplicated from others, and that you have acknowledged (“cited”) everyone else’s thoughts and contributions to your paper. This also means that if you utilized artificial intelligence (AI) or ChatGPT to create any part of the manuscript, it must be noted. Simply stated, do not copy other people’s work, and do not take credit for something you did not do nor conceive. Combine that principle with honest and truthful scientific reporting: Do not lie, exaggerate, or minimize. Report research and clinical findings (the truth) even if it surprises you. Let these principles guide your steps, and you will become a trusted and respected clinician and publisher.

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Submission of Manuscript

  • As stated above, all submitted manuscripts must be original. Submissions cannot be currently under review by other journals, magazines, or online resources.
  • One author should be the primary contact. (See Title Page for further instructions.)
  • Article length and word count requirements can be found in each article-type section.
  • Include an Abstract with all submissions (except editorials, commentaries, podium updates, interviews, and letters to the editor). It should be 300 words maximum and should summarize the manuscript’s purpose, methods, results, and conclusions.
  • Authors should keep a copy of their final-draft manuscript, as JDNPPA is not responsible for any lost or inaccessible submissions.

 

Cover Letter: It is not required, but author(s) must submit and comply with all Title Page requirements. For manuscript submissions that will undergo a blinded peer review (original research, literature reviews, case reports, case series), the Title Page must be submitted as a separate document.

Patient Anonymity and Informed Consent: Author(s) must ensure that a patient’s anonymity is protected. Any investigation involving human subjects must verify informed consent was obtained and/or a waiver approved by the appropriate ethics board (following all the guidelines for experimental investigation with human subjects required by the institution(s) with which all the authors are affiliated). If consent was not obtained, a detailed explanation must be included.

Patient Photo Consent: Informed written consent must be obtained from the patient if there is concern that a patient’s anonymity cannot be maintained in written text, photographs, or videos. As much as possible, identifying information, such as jewelry, tattoos, scars, distinctive clothing, hairstyles, etc., should be avoided, blocked, or removed from any photographs or figures. Further details below:

  • If the patient refuses to consent to publication or cannot be located, the manuscript will NOT be published. However, the Editorial Board should be informed to consider the possibility of removing the photo or figure in question instead of withdrawing the entire submission.
  • If the patient cannot provide consent due to death or legal incompetency, permission from the power of attorney is required, as well as proof of power of attorney.
  • If the patient is a minor, a legal guardian must provide permission.

 

Images, Data Figures, Charts, and Tables:

  • Do not embed photographic images into the body of your manuscript. Instead, include them in an appendix section at the end of your paper (after references). Images must be clear, original, or non-copyrighted material.
  • Embed tables and other figures within your Word document manuscript. Figures must be original or non-copyrighted material.
  • An explanatory caption must accompany every image, figure, or table.

 

Manuscript Preparation:

  • Submit all manuscripts as Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) files.
  • All manuscript pages (including references, tables, and figure legends) must be 1.5-spaced.
  • Use Times New Roman or Arial 12-point typeface.
  • Set top, bottom, and side margins at 0.8–1 inch.
  • Number each page and line consecutively, beginning with the first page.
  • Number the pages at the upper right from the first page of the manuscript to the end of the references.
  • Footnotes are not allowed except in tables or figures.
  • Spell out all abbreviations and acronyms at first mention.
  • See Style Notes for more details.

 

Title Page: All submissions must include a Title Page. This page must be attached as a separate file if you are submitting a manuscript that will undergo a blinded, peer-review process (original research, literature reviews, case reports, case series). Author identification(s) should appear only on the Title Page of these peer-reviewed manuscripts to ensure a blinded process. Include the following information on the Title Page:

  • Author listings. List all authors’ names with institutional/professional affiliations and degrees held.
  • Corresponding author. Provide his or her name, email, and contact phone number. This individual is designated to communicate with the editorial staff regarding the manuscript.
  • Intended article type (See listing below, i.e., Case Report).
  • Abstract word count. This is required for peer-reviewed pieces. The max limit is 300 words.
  • Manuscript word count. List the main body word count. (Do not include references and supplementary material.)
  • Funding. Include any relevant funding information (e.g., original research presenting results of a funded study).
  • Disclosures for each author. Include any relevant disclosures, such as financial support, industry relationships, or other conflicts of interest.
  • Verification of intent to submit solely to JDNPPA, that the manuscript is not under consideration elsewhere, and that it will not be submitted elsewhere until a final decision is rendered by the JDNPPA Editorial Board.

 

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Types of Manuscripts

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Dermatology-specific content or topics related to workforce economics or demographics, salary studies, mental health, NP/PA healthcare delivery dynamics, etc. A blinded, peer-review process will be utilized. If needed, edits and comments will be sent to the corresponding author for resubmission.

Length: 2,000 to 3,000 words (not including abstract, references, or Final Acknowledgements)

Requirements: Must be in this order:

  • Title Page (See details above. This must be submitted as a separate document.)
  • Abstract (structured, limit 300 words):
    • Objective(s): purpose of the study and/or hypothesis being tested
    • Study Design/Methods: subjects (number and type), treatment or intervention, statistical methods utilized, etc.
    • Results: outcome(s) and significance. Include percentages, P-values, and confidence intervals for claims of statistical significance.
    • Conclusion(s): overall significance of the results
  • Introduction. This section includes background, the scientific question, the hypothesis, and your scientific method.
  • Materials and Methods
  • Results
  • Conclusions/Discussion
  • References (See below for citation details.)
  • Images, Data Figures, Charts, and Tables
  • Final Acknowledgements. (See below.)

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OR META-ANALYSIS

This addresses a specific question or topic via a thorough and detailed review of existing literature. Systematically search, select, appraise, and analyze research evidence relevant to the proposed question. Statistical analysis must be utilized to summarize results of a meta-analysis. Note: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses must adhere to the guidelines provided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses report (PRISMA Statement).

Length: 500 to 2,500 words (not including abstract, references, or Final Acknowledgements)

Requirements: Must be in this order:

  • Title Page (See details above. Must be submitted as a separate document.)
  • Abstract (structured, limit 300 words):
    • Objective
    • Data sources (including years searched)
    • Study eligibility criteria (study design, populations, and interventions [if applicable])
    • Study appraisal and synthesis methods
    • Results
    • Conclusions
  • Introduction
  • Methods (data sources, study criteria)
  • Results (appraisal and synthesis methods)
  • Conclusions/Discussion
  • References (See below for citation details.)
  • Images, Data Figures, Charts, and Tables
  • Final Acknowledgements (See below.)

CASE REPORT OR SERIES

A novel, innovative, or interesting diagnosis, presentation, or clinical course. Clear, non-blurred, well-lit photographs should guide and inform the reader. A concise, targeted literature update on the diagnosis can be included. If a therapeutic or medical intervention is used in an off-label or non-FDA-approved way, it should be noted in the manuscript. All case reports and case-series reports will undergo a blinded, peer-review process. If needed, edits and comments will be sent to the corresponding author for resubmission.

Length: 1,000 to 2,000 words (not including abstract, references, or Final Acknowledgements)

Requirements: Must be in this order:

  • Title Page (See details above. Must be submitted as a separate document.)
  • Abstract (unstructured, limit 250 words): summary of case, interventions, and outcomes
  • Case Presentation
  • Treatment and Outcomes
  • Discussion
  • Conclusions
  • References (See below for citation details.)
  • Images, Data Figures, Charts, and Tables
  • Final Acknowledgements (See below.)

LITERATURE REVIEW

Summarize and support, via a recent literature review, the current understanding of a dermatologic topic.

Length: 500 to 2,000 words (not including abstract, references, or Final Acknowledgements)

Requirements:

  • Title Page (See details above. Must be submitted as a separate document.)
  • Abstract (unstructured, limit 250 words): summary of topic, data-collection methods, search criteria, and outcomes
  • Discussion
  • Conclusions
  • References (See below for citation details.)
  • Images, Data Figures, Charts, and Tables
  • Final Acknowledgements (See below.)

FEATURE

Special topics of interest, clinical pearls related to diagnostic clues, surgical and/or cosmetic procedures, novel insights about a specific dermatologic topic, conference reports or podium updates, or interviews focused on the field of dermatology. Utilize original source material. These are not blinded, peer-reviewed submissions, but are still edited for style, grammar, and content by a member of the Editorial Board or staff.

Length: 500 to 1,000 words (not including references or “further readings,” nor Final Acknowledgements)

Requirements:

  • Title Page (See details above. It is NOT submitted separate from the document.)
  • Introduction
  • Feature Presentation
  • Conclusion/Recommendations
  • References
  • Images, Data Figures, Charts, and Tables
  • Final Acknowledgements (See below.)

EDITORIAL/COMMENTARY

Interesting or novel point of view on clinical acumen, healthcare, cultural or global health, or professional practice issues. Editorials target a topic or article within a particular issue (usually solicited by the Editorial Board), whereas commentaries are not related to specific article(s) in the same issue and are unsolicited. These are not blinded, peer-reviewed submissions, but are still edited for style, grammar, and content by a member of the Editorial Board or staff.

Length: 500 to 1,000 words (not including references or “further readings,” nor Final Acknowledgements)

Requirements:

  • Title Page (See details above. It is NOT submitted separate from the document.)
  • Introduction
  • Discussion
  • Conclusions
  • References (See below for citation details.)
  • Images, Data Figures, Charts, and Tables
  • Final Acknowledgements (See below.)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Responses to articles published in JDNPPA should be received within three (3) months of the article’s publication. Note: Commentaries, Editorials, and Letters to the Editor do not undergo peer review. These are not blinded, peer-reviewed submissions, but are still edited for style, grammar, and content by a member of the Editorial Board or staff.

Length: 400 words (not including references or “further readings,” nor Final Acknowledgements)

Requirements:

  • Title Page (See details above. It is NOT submitted separate from the document.)
  • Title, author, and publication date of subject article
  • Introduction
  • Discussion
  • Conclusions
  • References (See below for citation details.)
  • Images, Data Figures, Charts, and Tables
  • Final Acknowledgements (See below.)

 

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Final Acknowledgements

These must be included at the end of the manuscript…after all references, tables, and figures. They can be pasted into the document with a statement of acknowledgement and acceptance of all statements.

☐ The submitted work is original, and all contributing individuals are listed as co-authors or are acknowledged in another way. Any unoriginal data, images, or other contributions are properly cited within the manuscript. All co-authors will be required to confirm, via email, their credentials, consent, and participation in the research and/or submission.
☐ If your research involved human subjects or vertebrate animals, research approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or other supervising agency must be included.
☐ I give JDNPPA permission to distribute the submitted manuscript (and all supporting materials) and the names and contact information of all contributors to members of the Advisory, Editorial, and/or publication production teams. All names and email addresses submitted will be used exclusively within the confines of journal publication and will not be distributed to outside parties.
☐ If any uncited information, charts, or figures have been published in other academic journals, written consent must be submitted from the original authors and the journal to prevent possible copyright infringements.
☐ I agree to the JDNPPA Copyright Notice:

  1. Once accepted, the author(s) license JDNPPA to publish and distribute the final manuscript.
  2. Author(s) retains the copyright to their submission(s). Thus, published articles can be reprinted in whole or in part in other journals, if allowed by other journals. A reference or pointer to JDNPPA as the original publication site must be included in any reprinted materials.
  3. All JDNPPA publications are forever free and therefore can be distributed without author(s) permission for non-commercial, educational purposes, per licensing under the Creative Commons attribution noncommercial and no derivative license. Commercial or for-profit use of any published materials requires written permission from JDNPPA.

 

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Citations

Citations in Body Text

Cite each source in numerical order using superscript Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3…). Put these numerals outside commas and periods, and inside semicolons and colons (see examples below). Put a comma (no space in front) between the numbers for multiple citations (see Example 2). Join a closed series with a hyphen (see Example 3).
Example 1: A review of regulations was completed by the WHO.15
Example 2: The data were as follows3,4:
Example 3: As previously reported,11‐14,25

Citations in Reference List

At the end of the document, list references numerically in the order by which they were cited in the text. Use single spaces within citations and double spaces between citations.

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References

Use journal abbreviations provided in the AMA Manual of Style (10th Edition), pages 473–479, or go to http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=journals and type in the journal’s full title.

NOTE: All references need a URL so that they can be linked in the digital edition.

Print Journal Article
Do not include month of publication if volume and/or issue is available:

Example: Rainier S, Thomas D, Tokarz D, et al. Myofibrillogenesis regulator 1 gene mutations cause paroxysmal dystonic choreoathetosis. Arch Neurol. 2004;61(7):1025–1029. URL

Do use month of publication if no volume or issue is available:

Example: Smith J. Advances in medical research. Med Res J. 2023;April:45–50. URL

Online Journal Article
Include page numbers if the article is also available in print:

Example: Duchin JS. Can preparedness for biological terrorism save us from pertussis? Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2004;158(2):106–107. http://archpedi.ama‐assn.org/cgi/content/full/158/2/106. Accessed June 1, 2004.

*If six or fewer authors—list all of them.
**If more than six authors—list the first three and then et al.

Websites
Cite the author (if given), title of item cited (if none given, use the organization name), name of the website, URL, published date (if given), updated date (if given), and accessed date.

Example: Truth and reconciliation: examining human rights violations in South Africa’s health sector. American Association for the Advancement of Science website. http://shr.aaas.org/trc‐med/presub.htm. Published 1997. Accessed April 30, 2004.

Online Newspapers
Per AMA: “References to news publications, including newspapers (print and online) and blogs, should include the following, in the order indicated: (1) name of author (if given), (2) title of article, (3) name of newspaper, (4) date of newspaper or date of publication online, (5) section (if applicable), (6) page number (if applicable), (7) online accessed date (if applicable), and (8) website address (if applicable).”

Example: Weiss R. The promise of precision prescriptions. The Washington Post. June 24, 2000:A1. http://www.washingtonpost.com. Accessed October 10, 2001.

*For a print newspaper article, follow the same as above.

Online Government/Organization Reports
These reports are treated much like electronic journal and book references; use journal style for articles and book style for monographs. Note: Of the dates published, updated, and accessed, often only the accessed date will be available.

Example: Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics. Older Americans 2012: key indicators of well-being. Accessed March 3, 2016. http://www.agingstats.gov

Example: World Medical Association. Declaration on alcohol. Updated October 2015. Accessed March 3, 2016. https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-declaration-on-alcohol/

Online Conference Proceedings/Presentations

Example: Morales M, Zhou X. Health practices of immigrant women: indigenous knowledge in an urban environment. Paper presented at: 78th Association for Information Science and Technology Annual Meeting; November 6-10, 2015; St Louis, MO. Accessed March 15, 2016. https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/2857070.2857108

Books
Book with one Author:

Example: Sacks O. Uncle Tungsten. New York, NY: Alfred A Knopf; 2001.

*Book with Two to Six Authors: Separate the authors’ names using a comma.
*Seven or More Authors: List the first three authors, and then et al.

Book with an Editor:

Example: Galanter M, ed. Services Research in the Era of Managed Care. New York, NY: Kluwer Academic/Plenum; 2001.

Book by an Organization:

Example: World Health Organization. Injury: A Leading Cause of the Global Burden of Disease, 2000. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2002.

Book of Second or Later Edition:

Example: Adkinson N, Yunginger J, Busse W, Bochner B, Holgate S, Middleton E, eds. Middleton’s Allergy: Principles and Practice. 6th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2003.

Book Chapter:

Example: Solensky R. Drug allergy: desensitization and treatment of reactions to antibiotics and aspirin. In: Lockey P, ed. Allergens and Allergen Immunotherapy. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2004:585–606.

Example: https://digitaleditions.walsworth.com/publication/?i=848805&p=58&view=issueViewer

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Style Notes

Prepare all aspects of the manuscript, including the formatting of tables, illustrations, and references and grammar, punctuation, usage, and scientific writing style, according to the most current American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style.

Symbols

  • Code nonstandard characters (Greek letters, mathematical symbols, etc.) consistently throughout the text. Please make a list of such characters and provide a key to the codes used.
  • It is acceptable to use <, >, ≤, or ≥ in text, but spell them out at the start of a sentence.

 

Numbers and Numerals

  • Spell out the numbers zero through nine, EXCEPT:
    • When used to denote a concentration or dosage: tretinoin 0.1%, sumatriptan 5mg
    • When reporting fractional amounts: 3.4% of subjects
    • When reporting a specific “item,” such as Week 1 of a study or scale (0–3 scale)
  • Use Arabic numerals when describing clinical trial phases, and capitalize Phase: (e.g., A Phase 3 study…)
  • Spell out numbers at the start of a sentence. Numerals may only appear at the start of a sentence when identifying a year. Try to avoid starting sentences with numbers.

 

Doses and Measurements

  • Use % instead of percent.
  • Do not leave a space between a numeral and the unit of measure: 5mg, not 5 mg.
  • Consider condensing the dosage as much as possible: 5mg/kg/day versus 5mg per kg daily or 5mg per kg per day.
  • Abbreviate measures as appropriate: 2mm2 versus 2 sq. mm.*

 

Abbreviations

  • et al., not et al
  • e.g., not eg

 

Drug and Company Names

  • generic (Brand, Marketer)

 

Dashes

  • Use the m-dash (shift, option, hyphen) to set off text, leaving no spaces—as is the case in this instance.

 

Demographics

  • Use Blacks, Whites, Asians. Do not use hyphenated demographic group designations (African-Americans, Asian-Americans, etc.) unless instructed otherwise.
  • Use caution with “skin of color.” Consider alternative phrasing such as “across the spectrum of skin tones” or “darker skin tones.” Skin of Color can be used when referring to the name of an organization such as the Skin of Color Society.

 

Sourcing

  • For in-text citations, use the journal title and date. Italicize the journal name.
  • Example: Patients with a history of STDs have a higher risk of developing MS, according to a study in the January 2023 issue of Lancet Neurology.

 

Affiliations for Sources

  • Provide affiliations/titles as early as possible, preferably the first time a person is named, at least in the first few sentences. Include locations. Please do not use any superlatives, only academic or practice titles.
  • Example: “Acne is a chronic inflammatory condition,” observes Jack Wagner, MD {or other degrees}, Director of the Acne Treatment Center at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA.
  • Capitalize titles in affiliations: Professor of Medicine and Chair of the Department of Dermatology at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA.
  • Use Dr. in all subsequent references for an MD or PhD.
  • Use standard USPS, two-letter state abbreviations (See www.usps.com/ncsc/lookups/usps_abbreviations.html).
  • All cities need a state.

 

Miscellaneous

  • Use caution with greater than/fewer than, further/farther, and more than/less than.
  • Use vs., not versus.
  • Healthcare, not health care
  • Skincare, not skin care
  • Comorbidities, not co-morbidities
  • IL-23 – hyphenate
  • TNF-α (use alpha symbol)
  • Double-blinded, not double-blind
  • JAK-1, JAK-2, etc. (hyphenate)
  • Lower-case drug names in text
  • Mild to moderate (hyphenate as a modifier). Example: mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis (AD)
  • (Figure x) inside the period within the sentence
  • Always spell out abbreviation on first reference. Example: Interleukin (IL) 23, atopic dermatitis (AD), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

 

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