Review procedure

The review procedure for the Journal of Palliative Medicine and Hospice Care - Open Journal (PMHCOJ) follows a detailed and thorough process to ensure the scientific rigor and quality of the research it publishes. The process begins when authors submit their manuscripts electronically through the journal's online submission platform. Upon receipt, the editorial team performs an initial check to ensure that the manuscript adheres to the journal’s submission guidelines, scope, and formatting requirements. This preliminary screening also includes a plagiarism check to uphold ethical standards and prevent any form of misconduct. If the manuscript passes this stage, it moves forward to the peer review process.

In the peer review phase, the manuscript is sent to at least two independent reviewers who are experts in the field of palliative care, hospice care, or related medical disciplines. These peer reviewers assess the manuscript’s scientific quality, the validity of the research methods, clarity of the data analysis, and the overall contribution of the work to the existing literature on palliative and hospice care. Reviewers are also asked to provide constructive feedback to the authors, recommending necessary improvements to enhance the quality and readability of the manuscript.

Following the reviewers’ comments, authors are required to revise the manuscript to address the feedback and suggestions provided. The revised manuscript must be accompanied by a detailed response, explaining how the authors have incorporated the reviewers' recommendations or justifying why certain suggestions were not followed. After the revisions are made, the manuscript is resubmitted for further evaluation by the editorial board and possibly the same reviewers. If the manuscript meets the journal's standards after these revisions, it is accepted for publication. If additional revisions are required, the process may be repeated until the manuscript is deemed suitable for publication.

Once the manuscript is accepted, it undergoes a final round of copyediting, formatting, and proofing to ensure it is polished and ready for publication. As an open-access journal, the PMHCOJ ensures that all its published articles are freely accessible to healthcare professionals, researchers, and the public, facilitating the global dissemination of knowledge in palliative and hospice care. This process ensures that the journal maintains high academic standards while promoting the exchange of critical insights in this essential area of healthcare.