The Pharmacy Practitioner's Guide to Publishing

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this article is to encourage the pharmacy practitioner to submit scholarly work for publication by providing a guide to the process. As practitioners, pharmacists understand the importance of research and the dissemination of information. Although pharmacists are encouraged to do research, many are overwhelmed by the task. This article highlights the steps in the publication process and provides tips to encourage pharmacists to conduct research and publish their findings. Summary The first step in authoring is deciding on a subject matter that is worthy of publication. Many practitioners believe that placebo-controlled trials are the only worthy endeavors; however, other forms such as case reports and editorials are also essential. Inclusion of researchers with different professional backgrounds will provide a diverse team with vast perspectives. Once the project is identified and team assembled, institutional review board approval should be sought if the project includes human subjects. The target audience should be identified prior to the composition of the publication to allow for identification of the appropriate publication form. Manuscript preparation should be complete, concise, and informative. Special attention should be paid to the editing process. After submission to the particular venue, the peer-review process begins. After final publication, authors must decide the timeframe for updating the work. Conclusion Professional writing is a time-consuming and challenging activity, but it is essential to the advancement of science, the profession, and patient care. This guide hopes to encourage pharmacists to conduct research projects and publish the information regardless of whether it is a case report, a review article, a poster, or a placebo-controlled trial.