Submissions

Author Guidelines

The RSPA aims to inform and serve the needs of its multiple stakeholders (authors; reviewers; readers; subscribers; sponsors) and improve the scientific and professional quality of the Anesthesiologists.

RSPA publishes original work of high scientific quality in all branches of Anesthesia and Resuscitation, Perioperative Care, Intensive Care, Emergency Medicine and Pain Medicine, including the application of basic sciences, clinical practice, equipment and training.

The journal also publishes work in other areas, such as medical education, bioethics, medical ethics and history of anesthesiology. RSPA publishes original articles, continuing medical education, commissioned reviews by an authority  consensus, case reports, letters, editorials, perspectives and Images on Anesthesiology.

Submitted manuscripts are subject to peer review to ensure that the journal only contains papers of the highest standard.

General Information

All manuscripts submitted to RSPA should be prepared in accordance withour instructions to the authors, which reflect the latest ICMJE (InternationalCommittee of Medical Journal Editors http://www.icmje.org) recommendations for theconduct, reporting, editing and publication of scholarly work in medical journals. RSPA follows COPE (the Committee on Publication Ethics), which provides a forum for publishers and Editors of scientific journals to discuss issues relating to the integrity of the work submitted to or published in their journals. The RSPA adheres to the guidelines on adequate data reporting that were established by The Enhancing the Quality and Transparency Of health Research (EQUATOR) network (http://www.equator-network.org). RSPA has specific instructions and guidelines for submitting articles. Please read and review them carefully. Articles that are not submitted in accordance with our instructions and guidelines are more likely to be rejected.

Authorship

RSPA follows the “ICMJE Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals” and defines “author” as a person who has participated sufficiently in the work to take public responsibility for all portions of the content. Specifically, an author is a person who meets the following four criteria: Has made substantial contributions to conception and design, or acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; Has drafted the submitted article or revised it critically for important intellectual content; Has provided final approval of the version to be published; Has agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Any person who does not meet all four of the listed criteria does not qualify as an author and should not be designated as an author. The final author lineup and order should be determined by all authors before submission and may not be changed without a written explanation and signed permission of all authors post-submission. Each manuscript must have a “Corresponding Author”. The corresponding author must assume full responsibility for the integrity of the submission as a whole, from inception to published article. RSPA reserves the right to clarify each author’s role, based upon information collected from authors in connection with their submission. The names of individuals who contribute to a manuscript but do not qualify for authorship should be listed (with their written permission) in an Acknowledgments section with a description of their individual contributions. This requirement covers any and all editorial or authorship contributions made on behalf of outside organizations, persons, funding bodies, or persons hired by funding bodies. When a medical writer or editing service was used, their activities and the funding source for the seservices should be noted.

Language

Manuscripts submitted to the journal must be written in Portuguese or English. The Title and the Abstract must be written in Portuguese and in English.

Plagiarism

The Editors of RSPA reserve the right to use plagiarism detection software on any submitted material.

Manuscript Preparation

The manuscript must be accompanied by a declaration of originality and transfer of property rights of the article, signed by all authors. Manuscripts must be double-spaced. Fonts should be 12 point, Times New Roman. Margins should be at least 2.5 cm all around in Microsoft Word. If a manuscript is formatted for A4 paper, leave at least a 5 cm (2 inch) margin at the bottom ofthe page. Number pages consecutively beginning with the Title Page. The manuscript cannot be submitted in PDF format. Authors should categorize the "article" submitted as Original Article, CME, Review, Consensus, Case Reports, Letters to Editor, Editorial, Perspective or Image in Anesthesiology.

Prior tothe submission of the manuscript, authors must ensure all necessary consents tothe publication of the material submitted. Transcription of images, tables or graphics from other publications must have the permission of the respective copyright holders, in accordance with the rules governing copyright. Ethical treatment of patients/subjects:  For all human research, authors must ensure that studies are inaccordance with the amended Declaration of Helsinki. Authors should indicate in their manuscripts that they have obtained informed consent from patients for the procedure/treatment and for their medical data to be used in a study. Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval/Helsinki Declaration For any studies involving patients, a statement must be included to the effect that: This study was conducted in accordance with the amended Declaration of Helsinki. Local institutional review boards or independent ethics committees approved the protocol, and written informed consent was obtained from all patients. The name of the committee and the approval number should follow this statement in the Methods section. If this is a multicenter study, the list may be provided in a separate Word document to be published as Supplemental Material. All articles dealing with original human or animal data must include a statement on ethics approval at the beginning of the Methods section. This paragraph must contain the following information: the name and address of the ethics committee responsible; the protocol number that was attributed by this ethics committee; the name of the Chairperson of the ethics committee (or the person who approved the protocol) and the date of approval by the ethics committee. If photographs of patients are used, they must have the identity protected or photographs must be accompanied by written permission. Identifying details should be omitted if not essential, but should never be altered or falsified in an attempt to remain anonymous. Generic names of drugs should always be used, unless trade name is particularly relevant. All articles should be arranged in the following order: Cover Letter The corresponding author must provide a Cover Letter indicating that all authors acknowledge their familiarity with these Instructions and agree to the contents of the submitted paper. Conflict of Interest information must also be provided.

Document 1:

a)     Article Title in English and in Portuguese – Article´'s  title shall be short, clear and straightforward. When needed, a subtitle may be used.

b)     First name, middle initial and last name of each author, with their highest academic degree (M.D., Ph.D., etc.), academic rank (Professor, Associate Professor, etc.) and institutional affiliations.

c)      Disclosure of funding received for the work from any organizations. Provide both the name and location of each funding agency/source.

d)     Name, mailing address, phone and fax numbers,and e-mail address of the corresponding author.

e)     An Abbreviated Title (running head) that states the essence of the article (< 50 characters).

Document 2:

a)     Title

b)     Abstract in English and in Portuguese

The abstract of Original Articles should contain four labeled paragraphs: Introduction, Material and Methods, Results, Discussion and Conclusions. The abstract of Original Articles should not exceed 250 words - will be structured.

Review Articles, and Continuing Medical Education require a structured abstract up to 400 words. Case Reports and Consensus require an unstructured abstract, one or two paragraph summary of the key points of the article. Case Reports up to 150 words abstract and Consensus up to 350 words abstract.

c)      Three to ten keywords should be included under the heading Keywords in Portuguese and in English. They shouldbe in alphabetical order and must be classified according to MESH keywords (www.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/MBrowser.html). Please do not simply list words you think are keywords.

The article should be included in the following items:

Original Article

Original research paper should include the following sections: Introduction (including goals), Material and Methods, Results, Discussion and Conclusions, Acknowledgements (if applicable), References, Tables and Figures. The Original Article should not exceed 4 0000 words, excluding references and illustrations. The text must be accompanied with illustrations, with a maximum of 6 figures / tables and 40 references. Word count: up to 4 000

Structured abstract: Yes, up to 250 words

Tables/Figures: up to 6 References: up to 40

Continuing Medical Education Article

Are articles on topics of great scientific interest, with the aim of updating. The text should not exceed 3 500 words, excluding references and illustrations. It must have at least 30 recent references, being allowed a maximum of 10 illustrations. At the end of the text a test with questions to review what you learned should be included. Word count: up to 3 500

Structured Abstract: Yes, up to 400 words

Tables /Figures: up to 10

References: 30

Systematic Reviews

Systematic Reviews can be presented in the Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion format. The subject must be clearly defined. The objective of a systematic review should be to produce an evidence-based conclusion. The Methods should give a clear indication of the literature search strategy, data extraction,grading of evidence and analysis. Systematic Reviews should not normally exceed 6 000 words and up to 100 references. It is strongly recommended that the PRISMA statement (http://www.prisma-statement.org/) be used. PRISMA stands for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The aim of the PRISMA Statement is to help authors improve the reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Should be up to 6 000 words, a maximum of six figures and 100 references. Word count: up to 6 000

Structured abstract: Yes, up to 400 words

Tables/Figures: up to 10

References: up to 100

Narrative Reviews

Review Articles are comprehensive papers that synthesize older ideas and suggest new ones. They cover broad areas. They maybe clinical, investigational, or basic science in nature. Although usually commissioned, we do occasionally accept unsolicited review articles on important and topical subjects with a particular focus on recent advances. Before submitting a review, we ask that you send the editors a brief outline (no more than 500 words) indicating the importance and novelty of the subject, and why you are qualified to write it. These will be peer reviewed. An invitation to submit will in no way guarantee acceptance. Reviews should not normally exceed 6 000words.

Word count: up to 6 000

Structured abstract: Yes, up to 400 words

Tables/Figures: up to 10

References: up to 100

Consensus

In general, published statements intended to guide clinical care (e.g., Guidelines, Practice Parameters, Recommendations, Consensus Statements and Position Papers) should describe:

-       The clinical problem tobe addressed

-       The mechanism by whichthe statement was generated

-       A review of the evidencefor the statement (if available), and

-       The statement on practice itself

To minimize confusion and to enhancetransparency, such statements should begin with the following bulleted phrases, followed by brief comments addressing each phrase: What other guideline statements are available on this topic? Why was this guideline developed? How does this statement differ from existing guidelines? Why does this statement differ from existing guidelines?

Word count: up to 8 000

Structured abstract: not required, up to 350 words

Tables/Figures: up to 5

References: up to 100

Case Report

The RSPA welcomes case reports that illustrate new approaches to established clinical problems or describing a new problem. To be of value appropriate for publication a case report must provide a significant learning point for other anesthetists. As a simple rule, just because a case is clinically challenging does not mean that it is appropriate to publish as a case report. Case reports should include the following sections: Introduction (including goals), Case report, Discussion and References. Should be up to 2 000 words, a maximum of six figures and 15 references. We recommend an author limit of 4, but we can consider more if authors can show significant contributions and/or give compelling or specific reasons.

Word count: up to 2 000

Structured abstract: not required, up to 150 words

Tables/Figures: up to 6

References: up to 15

Letterto the Editor

Letters to Editors should be objective and constructive. Should constitute a reasoned comment to an article previously published in the journal, sent no more than three months after publication of the original text, or a note on a topic of general interest to anesthesiologists. Should be brief (250-800 words) and can contain up to two illustrations and have a maximum of 7 references. The answer (s) of author (s) must contain the same features. Word count: up to 800

Structured abstract: not required

Tables/Figures: up to 2

References: up to 7  

Editorial

Editorials are normally commissioned and relate to original research papers. The word count should be up to 1500 words and 15 references.

Word count: up to 1500

Structured abstract: not required

Tables/Figures: up to 1

References: up to 15

Perspective

This is an unstructured section allowing contributors to highlight issues for debate. These could be in any relevant subject area. These articles will be commissioned but we are happy to consider unsolicited articles submitted via submission online. Please aim for 2 000 words and up to 10 references.

Word count: up to 2 000

Structured abstract: not required

Tables/Figures: up to2

References: up to 10

Image inAnesthesiology

These succinct submissions couple aninteresting, novel, or highly educational image with text designed to highlight the pertinent anesthesiology-focused information displayed by the visual. Supplemental video content can be included to expand the visual learning. Our Images in Anesthesiology section consists of a case report of 200 words, a few learning points, a maximum of two figures, and two references. We recommend an author limit of 3, but we can consider more if authors can show significant contributions and/or give compelling or specific reasons. We do ask that authors indicate that they have obtained patient consent.

Word count: up to 200

Structured abstract: not required

Tables/Figures: up to 5

Video: up to 2

References: up to 5

Abbreviations

Define all abbreviations except those approved by the International System of Units for length, mass, time, temperature, amount of substance, etc. Do not create new abbreviations for drugs, procedures, experimental groups, etc. Abbreviations or acronyms should not be used in the title and abstract, but only in the text and in a limited way. Abbreviations should be defined at first use, in full, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses. Excessive and unnecessary use of acronyms and abbreviations should be avoided.

Drug Names and Equipment

Usegeneric names. If a brand name must be used, insert it in parentheses after the generic name. Provide manufacturer's name, city, and country. Be careful about the use of trademarked. In parentheses, lowercase, followed by the symbol featuring trademark in superscript (®).

Units of Measurement

Use metricunits.  Measurements of length, height, weight and volume should be reported in metric units (meter, kilogram, or liter) or their decimal multiples. Temperatures should be given in degrees Celsius (° C) and blood pressure in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Allhematological or biochemical measurements will be referred to the metric system in accordance with the International System of Units (SI).

Tables, Figures and Photography’s

It is the author’s responsibility to obtain written permission and, where necessary, pay any fees to the copyright holder for republication in RSPA. Obtain permission for all print, online, and licensed uses from the copyright holder (usually the publisher) Provide copies of the permission with the submission (attach it as “supplemental material” in the file upload area in OJS.  Acknowledge the source in the legend of the figure/table with a numbered reference. Provide the full citation in the reference list. Number Tables consecutively in order of appearance (Table 1, etc.). Each Table should be submitted as a separate file. Each table must have a title and a caption. Tables should be either word processed documents or spreadsheets. Do not submit tables as image files. Number Figures consecutively in order of appearance (Fig.  1, etc.). Each Figure should be submitted as a separate file. Supply a legend for each figure; all legends should be grouped on a single page or series of pages separate from the figures.The publication of color illustrations is free. The graphic material should be submitted in the following file formats: Bitmap (. Bmp), GIF (. Gif), JPEG (. Jpg), Pict(. Pic), Portable Document Format (. Pdf), TIFF (. Tif), Excel.

Acknowledgements (optional)

The contributors, who do not meet the criteria for authorship, as determined by International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, should be listed in acknowledgements section. You may acknowledge the contributors, who do not justify authorship.

References

Authors are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of citations. Number references consecutively inthe order in which they are first mentioned in the text. Identify references in the text, tables and legends using superscripted Arabic numerals that are placed after the punctuation. References cited only in tables or in legends to figures should be numbered in accordance with the sequence established by the first identification in the text of the particular table or illustration. The full citations must be listed in numerical order at the end of the text. Use the Vancouver reference system as adopted by the US National Library of Medicine ensuring that all journal titles conform to Index Medicus approved abbreviations  (see http://www.nlm.nih.gov/tsd/serials/lji.html). Include only references accessible to all readers. Articles published without peerreview, or unpublished observations and personal communications should not be used as references, although references to communications may be inserted (in parentheses) in the text. Manuscripts in preparation or submitted for publication are never acceptable as references. If you cite accepted manuscripts "In Press" as references, mark them as "In Press”.

Article:

1. Under 6 authors

BrownEN, Purdon PL. The aging brain and anesthesia. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol.2013;26:414-9.

2.Over 6 authors

Pacella E, Pacella F, Troisi F,Dell'edera D, Tuchetti P, Lenzi T,  et al. Efficacyand safety of 0.5% levobupivacaine versus 0.5% bupivacaine for peribulbar anesthesia. Clin Ophthalmol. 2013;7:927-32.

3. Without authors

Pelvic floor exercise can reducestress incontinence. Health News. 2005; 11:11.

Book:

Author/Editor AA. Title.Edition. Vol. (if it hasmultiple volumes). Local: Publisher; Year.

1. With Authors:

McLoughlin T. Magnetic resonance imaging of thebrain and spine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Mosby; 2012.

2. With Editor:

Holzheimer RG, Mannick JA,editors. SurgicalTreatment: Evidence-Based and Problem-Oriented. Munich:Zuckschwerdt; 2001.

Chapter Book

Blitt C. Monitoring the anesthetizedpatient. In: Barash PG, Cullen BF, Stoelting RK, editors. Clinical Anesthesia.3rd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven Publishers; 1997. p 563-85.

Report Scientific / Technical

Page E, Harney JM.Health hazard evaluation report. Cincinnati: National Institute forOccupational Safety and Health; 2001 Feb. Report No.: HETA2000-0139-2824.

Thesis / Academicdissertation

Jones DL. The role ofphysical activity on the need for revision total knee arthroplasty inindividuals with osteoarthritis of the knee [dissertation]. Pittsburgh: Universityof Pittsburgh; 2001.

Conference Proceeding and Conference Paper

Rice AS, Farquhar-Smith WP, Bridges D, Brooks JW.Canabinoids and pain. In: Dostorovsky JO, Carr DB, Koltzenburg M,editors. Proceedings of the 10th World Congress on Pain; 2002 Aug 17-22;San Diego. Seattle: IASP Press; 2003. p. 437-68.

Electronic Document:

1.CD-ROM

Anderson SC, PoulsenKB. Anderson's electronic atlas of hematology [CD-ROM]. Philadelphia: LippincottWilliams & Wilkins, 2002.http://www.umi.com/proquest/.

2. e-Book

VanBelle G, Fisher LD, Heagerty PJ, Lumley TS. Biostatistics: a methodology forthe health sciences [e-book]. 2nd ed. Somerset: Wiley InterScience;2003 [consulted 2005 Jun 30]. Available at: Wiley InterScience electroniccollection.

3. Homepage/Website

Cancer-Pain.org  [Internet homepage]. New York: Association ofCancer Online Resources, Inc.; c2000-01; [consulted 2002 Jul 9]. Available at: http://www.cancer-pain.org/.

The precision and accuracy of references is a responsibility of the Author

Style and Usage

RSPA follows the American Medical Association Manual of Style1 (10th ed) in matters of editorial style and usage. All accepted manuscripts are subject to copyediting for conciseness, clarity, grammar, spelling, and RSPA style. The corresponding author will receive page proofs to review before publication. If requests for changesare made after the authors have returned corrected proofs. Care should be exercised in this stage of review so as to avoid publication of errata or retractions.

Proofs

If the Authors don´t state otherwise proofs will be a responsibility of the Editorial Board. In this case they should be made ​​within the period specified by the Editorial Board, depending on the needs of the journal editorial. The authors will receive proofs for publication in PDF format for correction and these should be corrected and returned to the publisher by email within 48 hours receipt.

Corrections

RSPA publishes amendments or retractions to an article previously published. After publication, further changes can only be made in the form of an erratum. If the errors are noted in an article published in an issue, and these require publication of a correction, the corrections will appear on a numbered page and be listed in the Table of Contents.  

Retractions

The reviewers and the editors initially assume that authors are reporting work based on honest observations. However, if substantial doubt arises about the honesty or integrity of work, either submitted or published, the editor will inform the authors of the concern, seek clarification, and pursue the issue with the author’s sponsoring body and/or employing authority. Consequently, if the sponsoring body and/or employers find a published paper to be fraudulent, the journal will print a retraction. If, however, this method of investigation does not result in a satisfactory conclusion, the editor may choose to conduct his or her own investigation, and may choose to publish an expression of concern about the aspects of the conduct or integrity of the work. The validity of previous work by the author of a fraudulent paper cannot be assumed. Editors may ask the author’s institution to assure them of the validity of earlier workpublished in their journal or to retract it. If this is not done, editors may choose to publish an announcement expressing concern that the validity of previously published work is uncertain.  

Article Processing Charges

There is no Article Processing Charge (APC), Article Submission Charge or any other charges for publishing.

Final Note

Fora better clarification of all matters it is advisable to read the UniformRequirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals InternationalCommittee of Medical Journal Editors), available at http://www.ICMJE.org