In 2023, many ACR authors make outstanding contributions to our journal. Their articles published with us have received very well feedback in the field and stimulate a lot of discussions and new insights among the peers.
Hereby, we would like to highlight some of our outstanding authors who have been making immense efforts in their research fields, with a brief interview of their unique perspective and insightful view as authors.
Outstanding Authors (2023)
Navneet Ramesh, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, USA
Ettore Pelosi, OmeoDieta, Italy
Stephan E. P. Kops, Radboud University Medical Hospital, the Netherlands
Eric Chun-Pu Chu, New York Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Centre, Hong Kong, China
Alejandro Olivares-Hernández, Department of Medical Oncology, Paseo San Vicente, Salamanca, Spain
Fares A. Alkhayal, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Saudi Arabia
Yara Jazzar, Alfaisal University, Saudi Arabia
Gentian Vyshka, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania
Andrei Gritsiuta, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, USA
Hiroaki Oiwa, Fujieda Municipal General Hospital, Japan
Ernan Zhu, Evangelisches Krankenhaus, Germany
Stefano Troili, University of L'Aquila, Italy
Federico G. Seifarth, West Virginia University Medicine Children’s Hospital, USA
Nobutaka Kawamoto, JA Hiroshima General Hospital, Japan
Tiffany Eatz, Miller School of Medicine, USA
Outstanding Author
Navneet Ramesh
Dr. Navneet Ramesh is an internal medicine resident at Kaiser Permanente Northern California, USA. He will be completing fellowship in pulmonary and critical care at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. He is interested in exploring the application of technology in medicine, both in the inpatient and outpatient environment. He has been involved in basic science and clinical research and is eager to work with multidisciplinary teams on clinical projects in his fields of specialization.
Speaking of the most commonly encountered difficulties in academic writing, Dr. Ramesh indicates that developing a scientific question, or in the case of case reports, communicating a novel takeaway to an audience with less expertise in the subject can be very challenging. This often requires sorting through lots of data and determining how to best tell a story that is not confusing, rather one that is convincing. And since Science advances rapidly day by day, it is important to regularly perform literature reviews while writing so that new studies can be identified and incorporated into the manuscript. Reading new papers, both in one’s field of study and on unrelated topics, can shed light on different strategies one can use to organize and present data.
On the prevalence of research data sharing in recent decade, Dr. Ramesh believes it is vital for authors to share their research data. There are often many conclusions that can be drawn from the raw data that are not addressed in a paper for various reasons. Sharing all data promotes transparency and negative data should not be dismissed. It is crucial to have the whole picture in order to both evaluate a paper’s conclusions and draw your own.
“To allocate time out of a busy schedule to write papers, the first step is to make research a priority and that involves figuring out why you are interested in pursuing research in the first place. Writing allows me to take a deep dive into a topic and provides important context for my clinical responsibilities. Practically, I budget time to write and always seek feedback from others. Identifying an effective mentor is also key. I have been fortunate to work with many scientists and physicians who have been very supportive of my research efforts,” says Dr. Ramesh.
(By Brad Li, Eunice X. Xu)
Ettore Pelosi
Dr. Ettore Pelosi is a Medical Doctor at OmeoDieta with a passion for nutrition and sports. He specializes in creating personalized nutrition plans to help individuals achieve their maximum potential, including professional athletes, those seeking to reach their ideal weight, and those interested in a plant-based diet. Dr. Pelosi’s passion for nutrition and food began in childhood, exploring the aisles of supermarkets and learning about the nutritional compositions of various foods. As he grew older, he pursued this interest through studying thousands of foods, experimenting with various diets, and reading numerous books. Now as a specialist in Nuclear Medicine, Dr. Pelosi is also responsible for the Master's program in Sports Nutrition at Funiber and works in his clinic to create personalized nutrition plans for athletes and non-athletes alike. He believes that food is an expression of personal characteristics, and that by talking about food, people reveal their innermost selves. He understands that nutrition is crucial for optimal performance, and he uses his expertise to help people achieve their goals, emphasizing the importance of appropriate food combinations, meal timing, and our individual biorhythms. He sees food as a powerful ally in achieving success and as a universal language that unites people and cultures. Learn more about Dr. Pelosi here, and connect with him on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
A good academic paper, according to Dr. Pelosi, should have a clear question or thesis statement, a review of relevant literature, a strong method for gathering data, well-supported arguments based on evidence, a logical structure, simple and appropriate language, accurate references, and clear conclusions summarizing the main findings and implications of the research. By including these elements, a writer can effectively communicate their ideas and findings to their audience.
To be a successful author, Dr. Pelosi believes one should have expertise in his/her field, strong research skills, critical thinking skills, attention to detail, and strong writing skills. Most of all, one should have the research intuition (or "researcher's insight"): the ability to see what is not immediately visible to others. This ability is developed over time through experience and a deep understanding of the subject matter. Research intuition can help researchers to identify patterns and connections, generate innovative ideas, and make groundbreaking discoveries. However, it should be used in conjunction with rigorous research methods and supported by empirical evidence and data to ensure accuracy and reliability. Finally, an author should be objective and ethical in his/her research and writing, avoiding personal biases and following ethical standards such as properly citing sources and avoiding plagiarism. By having these qualities, the author can produce high-quality, objective, and valuable work in his/her field of study.
Apart from the above points, Dr. Pelosi thinks it is also important for researchers to apply for institutional review board (IRB) approval because it ensures that their research is ethical, legal, and responsible. Getting IRB approval is an essential step for ensuring that research is conducted ethically and legally, protects the rights and welfare of human subjects, and meets the standards and requirements of academic institutions and funding agencies. Conducting research without IRB approval can damage the researcher's reputation and credibility in the academic and research communities.
“AME Case Reports is a journal specialized in publishing detailed reports of rare or unusual clinical cases. Personally, I choose to publish in this journal because it has a high-quality peer-review process, is open access, has a fast publication process, and has an international audience. Publishing in this journal can increase the visibility and impact of the research, as well as facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange among researchers from different countries and regions,” says Dr. Pelosi.
(By Brad Li, Eunice X. Xu)
Stephan E. P. Kops
Dr. Stephan Kops is a resident in pulmonary medicine at the Radboud University Medical Hospital in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. He is combining his residency with a PhD program focused on interventional pulmonology and in particular navigation bronchoscopy. The main aim of his research is to improve cone beam CT-guided navigation bronchoscopy for the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary nodules, mainly focusing on how to improve the diagnostic yield of this procedure. Equally important aspects are the cost-effectiveness and accessibility of this technique in order to assess how this advanced bronchoscopy technique can be employed. Connect with Dr. Kops on LinkedIn.
Academic writing is essential, according to Dr. Kops, to disseminate research between peers. It is important that research is not contained at the center at which it was performed, but that it is shared with colleagues. Both to spread knowledge, and to prevent the same research from being performed twice. Other researchers can subsequently build on this research, which will advance the field.
In Dr. Kops’ opinion, it is key for an author to be able to remain objective. Often people perform research in a topic they firmly believe in. However, the observed results of their research are not always in line with their belief. Therefore, it is important that even in the light of results that were unexpected or disappointing, an author can produce objective conclusions. Another important skill of an author is the ability to separate the main point from secondary points. An author should have a clear picture of what the message of an academic paper should be. Details should help to clarify and give nuance to this main conclusion, but should not cloud what the paper is about. “This can be difficult, especially because it is natural that you want the paper to reflect the time and effort that have been invested in the performed research,” he adds.
As mentioned, Dr. Kops believes it is essential in academic writing to be objective. To him, transparency is an important facet of this. In the interventional pulmonology research field, new technical innovations and devices are important. Because of this, cooperating with medical technology corporations is common and necessary. It can be a great opportunity to work together to achieve new goals together. However, it is always important to remind ourselves that a commercial corporation has a different end goal than the research team, namely, making profit. It is important to provide a transparent picture of how these collaborations work. He thinks that Conflicts of Interest (COIs) do not invalidate or diminish an author’s credentials. All authors should strive for an objective and transparent way of communicating their thoughts and results, and the COI form is a tool to do that.
“I am fortunate that I am able to do research in a field that interests me greatly. I work with great pleasure in the field of interventional pulmonology and as such, I would like the field to develop and progress and academic writing is key in this process. The fact that I can be a tiny part of that process is motivating enough for me,” says Dr. Kops.
(Brad Li is the main author; Yi Tang, an intern of AME, helped proofread this interview)
Eric Chun-Pu Chu
Dr. Eric Chun-Pu Chu, DC, Ph.D., FRCC (Ortho), is an award-winning entrepreneur, innovator, and scholar in the healthcare industry. As the founder of New York Medical Group (NYMG) and co-owner/Chief Business Officer of EC Healthcare (2138.hk), the largest publicly listed non-hospital company in Hong Kong, he leads top management in both companies along their entire value chain. Leveraging his extensive experience in healthcare M&A and performance transformations, he drives the improvement of patient outcomes through insights into consumer behaviors, beliefs, and needs. What’s more, he also serves as the chairman of the Chiropractic Doctors Association of Hong Kong and is the Founder of the Hong Kong Chiropractic College. His leadership and contributions to the healthcare industry have been acknowledged with numerous awards and honorary degrees from government departments, universities, and global NGOs. As a highly-regarded author in the chiropractic community, Dr. Chu has been recognized as the top research author by the chiropractic journal and praised as one of the "world's most prodigious authors of case reports" by the World Federation of Chiropractic. With over 90 first-authored journal papers and a Google Scholar h-index of 25, his case management has been selected as BMJ Case Report's Editor's Choice and Oxford's Key Case Report. Learn more about Dr. Chu here and connect with him on LinkedIn.
To Dr. Chu, as a chiropractor, translating chiropractic language to medical terminology, introducing chiropractic cases to medical professionals who may be unfamiliar with the field, describing treatment methods and therapeutic results, and sharing inter-professional experiences are the most commonly encountered difficulties in academic writing. The unique terminology used in chiropractic care can pose a challenge when attempting to communicate effectively with healthcare professionals from other disciplines, translating to widely accepted medical terminology essential for interdisciplinary understanding. Furthermore, introducing chiropractic cases to a broader audience requires a clear and concise explanation of chiropractic assessments and interventions, as many medical professionals may not have a comprehensive understanding of the field. Lastly, describing chiropractic treatment methods and therapeutic outcomes in a manner that resonates with healthcare providers from various backgrounds is crucial for fostering collaboration and integration within the larger healthcare community.
In the process of preparing an academic paper, Dr. Chu points out two key considerations that authors should bear in mind to ensure effective communication and foster interdisciplinary understanding. First is to share inter-professional experiences and insights. It can help bridge the gap between chiropractic care and other healthcare fields, encouraging a more inclusive and collaborative approach to patient care. Second is to ensure their paper adheres to high standards of scientific rigor and ethical consideration. It will further enhance the credibility and acceptance of chiropractic research within the broader healthcare community.
Speaking of allocating time to write papers during busy work, Dr. Chu believes that balancing the demands of chiropractic practice with the pursuit of academic writing as a hobby is important, which requires intentional time management and organization. One approach is to designate specific times during the week for paper writing and maintaining a diary of daily patient results. This may involve setting aside a few hours on designated days, such as early mornings or evenings after work, when the clinic is closed, or during weekends. Creating a consistent schedule helps establish a routine, making it easier to stay committed to writing goals. It is also beneficial to maintain a diary of patient results, documenting observations, assessments, interventions, and outcomes on a daily basis. This practice not only helps to track patient progress but also serves as a rich source of data and insights for future therapeutic technique. He concludes, “Through these, we can effectively balance clinical responsibilities with our passion for advancing knowledge in patient results.”
From an author’s perspective, Dr. Chu encourages authors to follow reporting guidelines such as STROBE, PRISMA, and CARE. Yet, strict adherence may sometimes impose limitations on creativity and lead to disadvantages, particularly when dealing with unique or unconventional case reports. As case reports are usually rare incidents, when a manuscript does not align 100% with the guidelines, reviewers who are unfamiliar with the specific context or nuances of the work may be inclined to reject the submission based solely on non-compliance with these standards. In such cases, authors may advocate for a more flexible approach that allows for deviation from the guidelines when it is justified by the unique nature of the case or the need for novel methodologies. By striking a balance between adhering to established guidelines and preserving creative freedom, researchers can contribute valuable insights and advance the knowledge base in their respective fields.
(By Anita Zhang, Brad Li)
Sira Laohathai
Dr. Sira Laohathai is a thoracic surgeon practicing at Vajira Hospital and now is an assistant professor in the Cardiovascular Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Navamindradhiraj University (Bangkok, Thailand). He has dedicated his career to the field of thoracic surgery, specifically in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, and also conducted extensive research on non-intubate and minimally invasive lung surgery. Learn more about Dr. Laohathai here.
A good academic paper, to Dr. Laohathai, should be well-researched and provide new insights or perspectives on a particular topic. A clear and concise thesis statement, logically organized structure, and persuasive evidence to support its arguments are also required. He also concludes that keeping learning and staying enthusiastic can ensure the writing gives new insights to the field of research.
In Dr. Laohathai’s opinion, it is important for authors to follow reporting guidelines such as STROBE, CONSORT, and CARE during preparation of manuscripts. These guidelines provide a standardized framework for reporting research findings clearly and transparently, which is essential for ensuring that the research is reproducible and can be evaluated by other researchers. Following reporting guidelines can help to improve the quality of research reporting, minimize bias, and increase the reliability and validity of research findings.
(By Anita Zhang, Brad Li)
Alejandro Olivares-Hernández
Dr. Alejandro Olivares-Hernández, M.D, Ph.D., is a specialist in Medical Oncology at the University Hospital Complex of Salamanca and research at the Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL). He has obtained his medical degree and Ph.D. at the University of Salamanca. In addition, he has completed his training in oncology with several international degrees, mainly the Master in Molecular Oncology from the Rey Juan Carlos University and an Expert Degree in Immuno-Oncology from the University of Navarra. Dr. Olivares-Hernández has focused his specialization on the development of Immuno-Oncology, mainly within non-small cell lung cancer. His latest work has focused on the development of different biomarkers that predict response to immunotherapy, essentially in the field of genomics. In addition, he also has other work focused on other biomarkers in immunotherapy such as the microbiome. Learn more about Dr. Olivares-Hernández here or connect with him on Twitter.
Dr. Olivares-Hernández thinks the main problem in academic writing is to write a manuscript that considers the reader's perspective and that can contribute to the scientific community in terms of knowledge. Along with this, it is key to set clear objectives for the article and to consider during the writing and completion of the article whether these conclusions have been met.
During the preparation of a paper, Dr. Olivares-Hernández highlights a few points that authors should keep in mind. First, it should be noted that an article should have a correct structure with clear and straightforward language. After that, each author should be clear about the questions that he or she wants to answer with their article. If these questions can be answered, they should be explained in the discussion and conclusions as clearly as possible. If not, authors should always indicate why the objectives of the article have not been met and what went wrong, so that a new research or review article can be reconsidered.
Speaking of his writing experience, Dr. Olivares-Hernández summarizes, “I always like to say that writing an article is a process that takes years, and you never stop learning”. He says that the article he was most excited to publish was probably the first one, which marked the beginning of his career in the field. Undoubtedly, from that article to the current ones there have been big changes, and looking back that is allowing him to continue learning day by day.
In addition, Dr. Olivares-Hernández believes that it is essential to declare conflicts of interest (COI) correctly. In many cases, articles present several COI, which, if the authors' COI are not known, can lead to misinterpretations of the results and conclusions.
(By Anita Zhang, Brad Li)
Nonthikorn Theerasuwipakorn
Dr. Nonthikorn Theerasuwipakorn is an attending physician at the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and Cardiac Center, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. He is a cardiologist specializing in cardiovascular imaging, particularly echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). He is also interested in cardiovascular computed tomography and nuclear imaging. His research area not only involves the cardiovascular imaging field, which is his field of expertise, but also involves all cardiovascular fields. Currently, he focuses on researching myocardial perfusion and tissue characterization by using CMR perfusion and parametric mappings.
According to Dr. Theerasuwipakorn, one of the most important and sometimes most difficult parts of academic writing is to consider what the uniqueness and clinical relevance of the work are. These two things are what he looks for and discusses in all published manuscripts no matter as an author, reader, or reviewer of those manuscripts. Looking back at publications, case reports of common diseases or research in wide-studied areas are often accepted for publishing in a high-quality journal, if they have enough uniqueness and important clinical relevance. Sometimes, he feels difficult to find these things in his works. In view of this, he recommends authors to look back at the literature review, seeing what the evidence gap in this research area is, while keeping in mind how one’s research can fill this gap. Ideally, this should be the first step in all academic and research work.
Dr. Theerasuwipakorn highlights that the concept he depends on when performing research is “garbage in, garbage out”. It is always true that authors cannot generate high-quality work from low-quality data. To consider the quality of the evidence, he will look at the methodology section to see if the work was conducted properly and the discussion section to see if the authors reasonably discuss based on the current knowledge. A tip that he uses when he works on an outside-of-his-expertise field is to study the most updated review, especially a systematic review and meta-analysis if available, and follow their references. However, a detailed review of each reference methodology and discussion is also important and cannot be abandoned.
In Dr. Theerasuwipakorn’s view, the main purpose of publishing an academic work is to share the best of the authors’ data and knowledge. Therefore, data sharing is good and should be encouraged as long as the data provider and receiver are strict with the data handling ethic including confidentiality and consent.
“I am only one of over seven billion world population. Academic work is the best way to share my thought and existence with the world,” says Dr. Theerasuwipakorn.
(By Anita Zhang, Brad Li)
Fares A. Alkhayal
Fares Alkhayal is a consultant dermatologist at Prince Sultan Military Medical City and is currently doing his fellowship in advanced clinical dermatology at McMaster University. He is passionate about advanced dermatological disease, clinical research, and evidence-based medical practice.
Speaking of the most commonly encountered difficulties in academic writing, Dr. Alkhayal points out that it is never easy to have a novel subject or idea, not to mention allocating time out of a busy schedule to write a paper.
Science advances rapidly day by day. To write a good paper, Dr. Alkhayal considers the most crucial step to be finding a novel topic or adding new insightful information to a well-known topic. And solid knowledge and an excellent literature review would be required. He strongly believes that good research leads to comprehensive guidelines and, hence, leads to better medical practice.
In addition, Dr. Alkhayal stresses that it is essential to declare conflict of interest (COI). In many cases, articles present several COIs, which, if the authors' COIs are not known, can lead to misinterpretations of the results and conclusions.
(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)
Yara Jazzar
Yara Jazzar was born and raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She obtained a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery degree from Alfaisal University in Riyadh. She is a US match 2024 dermatology applicant. Her research interests include cutaneous oncology and dermatoimmunology. Yara has published 8 papers, mostly in the field of dermatology. Her most recent research projects include: “Prurigo Pigmentosa post-bariatric Surgery: a case report”, “Ulerythema Ophryogenes in a Saudi Male: a case report”, and “Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Dermatologists: a Review Study”. She is currently working on a project titled “Presence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Patients With Psoriasis”.
From Yara’s perspective, a physician’s role is not only treating the patient, but it also involves catching up with the literature as well as sharing acquired knowledge with fellow physicians. Academic writing is how physicians contribute to evidence-based medicine, which ensures that new advances in treatment and diagnosis are accessible to healthcare professionals. It is an integral part of modern-day medicine.
In Yara’s opinion, critical writing involves attention to detail and in-depth investigation of the reason behind every word written. There is no definite number of drafts and reviews that is enough. A drive towards perfection should always be there. To her, there is always room for improvement in every aspect of life, and that applies to writing manuscripts as well.
“My responsibility as a physician involves being caught up with recent updates in the literature as well as sharing the knowledge that I have acquired throughout the journey. My passion for dermatology and my commitment to sharing knowledge with my fellow dermatologists/aspiring dermatologists is what drives me to write,” says Yara.
(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)
Gentian Vyshka
Gentian Vyshka is a Full Professor of Human Physiology (Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania), Neurologist (UHC Mother Theresa, Tirana, Albania), and Expert in Forensic Neuropsychiatry (Institute of Legal Medicine, Tirana, Albania). His research interests are focused on Neurology, Psychology, Forensic Medicine and Psychotrauma. He is an author of several published books, articles and scientific presentations in national and international forums; 10 textbooks for students of medicine and dentistry; 82 full-text articles [during last five years] in journals with impact factors up to 5, 8 (Pain); 40 oral and poster presentations in conferences during the last five years (international/national). He is also an editorial member of six journals (international/national). Learn more about Prof. Vyshka through his homepage, ORCID and Web of Science.
In Prof. Vyshka’s opinion, academic writing is an important and essential part of science - from publish-or-perish to the peer-review process with corrections and rebuttals, till the publication of one’s own work.
Biases are inevitable in academic writing. To minimize the biases, Prof. Vyshka suggests consulting literature widely but in a focused way, as well as using templates and English editing service. He adds, “Never forget that academic writing is nobody’s first language.”
“Publishing is a form of making known your opinions and work. Track citations of your work and read carefully the work of the authors that have published in the same field. Shared experiences, although they might seem theoretical, might be of help during the everyday job,” says Prof. Vyshka.
(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)
Andrei I. Gritsiuta
Dr. Andrei Gritsiuta, MD, PhD, is a General Surgery resident at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center with an interest in minimally invasive thoracic surgery. He received his medical degree at Lomonosov Moscow State University in Russia and subsequently pursued residency and fellowship in Thoracic Surgery at National Medical Research Center of Surgery. Furthermore, he holds a PhD and has undergone extensive scientific training, including a postdoctoral fellowship at University of Pennsylvania. He completed his electives in thoracic surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, Rush University in Chicago, and the University of Basel in Switzerland, as well as Robotic Thymectomy Course hosted at Charite Clinic in Berlin, Germany. He is a member of the American Medical Association, European Society of Thoracic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons and American College of Osteopathic Surgeons.
A well-written academic paper, from Dr. Gritsiuta’s perspective, should be clear and concise, with a strong focus on the main points and arguments. It should be well-structured, using established guidelines/checklists, with each component carefully crafted to lead the reader through key elements with clarity and elegance. Every project starts with a single big idea that should be clear and innovative, around which discussion revolves. It is important to know one’s objectives - What do you want people to do with this information? To him, presentation and interpretation of statistical data play a crucial role. It requires careful attention to detail and clear communication. Moreover, it is important to ensure that the data are reputable, relevant, and appropriate for the research question. Not only must the grammar be correct, but also the word choice must be appropriate to the subject and situation. Careful proofreading and editing are essential to ensure the paper is free of grammatical errors, typos, and inconsistencies. “My personal favorite papers (and quite well-cited ones) use the most straightforward and concise language,” adds he.
Science advances rapidly day by day. To ensure one’s writing is up-to-date, a traditional solution is to go to conferences and see what other people are working on. As of now, it is different, in Dr. Gritsiuta’s opinion. New papers come out every day. In some areas, when papers are published at a conference, they are already old. Nowadays, more and more people rely on social networks to keep track of recent research. There are some alert services around that can make this process less tedious. Through reading the literature, he can find potential solutions to scientific barriers he is facing in his own research. To him, staying up to date with the literature is perhaps the single most important skill that remains crucial throughout a researcher’s career.
“‘Science may set limits to knowledge but should not set limits to imagination.’ No matter what you do for a living, keeping up to date with science is a great way to exercise your brain, learn new things, and expand your horizons. No matter what you do to keep in touch with fields of science other than the one you work in, just enjoy yourself and try to learn something new every day,” says Dr. Gritsiuta.
(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)
Hiroaki Oiwa
As a thoracic surgeon, Hiroaki Oiwa specializes primarily in the surgical treatment of lung cancer. He has completed a residency program at the National Cancer Center Hospital East and has conducted clinical research on surgical treatment and histopathological studies of lung cancer. He also focuses on minimally invasive surgery using robot-assisted surgery and perioperative treatment including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which have become increasingly diverse in recent years. He values logical thinking in surgical procedures and medical care. Dr. Oiwa believes that there is a reason for each surgical procedure and that by thinking logically and carrying out such procedures, surgeons can perform better surgeries. The same applies to medical treatment and medical practice, including examination. The surgeons should be able to clarify the purpose of the action and assess the results.
In Dr. Oiwa’s opinion, it is important to clarify the purpose of the research and to be consistent in the objectives and conclusion. The authors need to be aware of the novelty of the research and how to apply it to clinical practice. Besides, passion is the other important element of good academic papers.
Dr. Oiwa points out that, during preparation of a paper, authors should keep in mind the purpose of the research. It is significant to structure the text based on logical thinking and to deepen the discussion while assuming what the reader wants to know.
To encourage other academic writers, Dr. Oiwa says, “Although it sometimes seems difficult to find a research topic with novelty and clinical application, it is important to be aware of clinical questions in daily practice.”
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Ernan Zhu
Dr. Ernan Zhu, M.D., is a senior physician in the Division of Cardiology, Angiology, and Intensive Care Medicine at the Evangelisches Krankenhaus in Düsseldorf, Germany. He is a recognized and officially certified specialist in interventional cardiology and invasive electrophysiology with in-depth expertise according to the criteria of the German Society of Cardiology. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Zhu is also responsible for the residency training program in internal medicine. His research focuses on the better understanding and improved treatment of cardiac emergencies. In his current clinical trial, he concentrates on “optimizing the quality of life by improved patient expectation following atrial fibrillation catheter ablation”.
A good academic paper, according to Dr. Zhu, is based on in-depth knowledge and excellent research. Important to him is the skill to filter the vast information available and look for current medical needs, especially from a clinical point of view. Therefore, translation from research findings to clinical practice is crucial. To him, a good paper should aim for the patient’s benefit based on improved and more efficient treatment. In this context, he is convinced that one can learn more from real and unique clinical cases than designed studies. These findings should be elaborated on in a good paper and shared globally to help stimulate fruitful discussions and exchanges in the cardiovascular field.
Science advances rapidly day by day. To ensure that his writing is up-to-date, besides regular literature searches inspired by his journal club, Dr. Zhu uses every opportunity to study interesting and rare clinical cases from his daily clinical work. During research and clinical practice, he stays alert on current medical needs and developments especially when he talks to patients on a daily basis. He also attends national and international conferences with experts in the field on a regular basis to stay up-to-date in the field.
“Academic writing connects all peers around the world. Thus, we often realize that common clinical findings are made despite large distances and different settings. Sometimes, minor and unexpected findings may have a great impact on a large number of patients’ treatments and outcomes. Apart from this, academic research enables you to get to know the research experts’ personalities through their work, making it easier to connect with them and meet in person at (inter)national conferences for example,” says Dr. Zhu.
(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)
Stefano Troili
Dr. Stefano Troili is an anesthesia, intensive care, and pain therapy resident at the University of L'Aquila in Italy. He is currently completing a master's program in emergency and major emergencies. He also collaborates with the medical team at the international Imola circuit as a race doctor for motorsport events. He plans to continue his work both within the hospital setting, particularly in the intensive care unit, and in the pre-hospital setting. He would like to contribute to research on the management of critically ill patients in acute settings. In this regard, he is currently completing a project on the use of Thromboelastography (TEG) in patients with trauma-induced coagulopathy.
ACR: What do you regard as a good academic paper?
Dr. Troili: In my opinion, a good academic paper is one that effectively contributes new knowledge, insights, or perspectives to its field of study. It should not be limited solely to presenting new standards or guidelines but can also include significant contributions through updating rare clinical case studies or introducing underutilized techniques. The diversity of contributions to scientific literature is crucial for enriching the understanding of the field and promoting innovation. Nonetheless, a good paper should adhere to key principles such as a clear formulation of the research question, a thorough review of existing literature, a well-described methodology, and a robust data analysis. The clear and coherent presentation of results, along with an informative discussion, helps highlight the added value of a study and its relevance to the scientific community.
ACR: Science advances rapidly day by day. How do you ensure your writing is up-to-date and can give new insights to the field of research?
Dr. Troili: Stay updated with the latest advancements in your field by routinely examining recent and pertinent scientific literature, including journals, conference proceedings, and reputable websites. Attend conferences, workshops, and seminars within your expertise to witness cutting-edge research and foster connections with fellow researchers. Foster collaborations with other professionals, engaging in discussions that expose you to new ideas and perspectives. These strategies collectively contribute to ensuring that your knowledge remains current and that your work can provide valuable insights to the research community.
ACR: What is fascinating about academic writing?
Dr. Troili: Academic writing serves as a conduit for individuals to augment the existing body of knowledge. Whether through original research, critical analysis, or the synthesis of prevailing ideas, academic writing becomes a medium through which one can impart significant value to a particular field. Moreover, it acts as a catalyst for critical thinking, demanding individuals to meticulously assess evidence, scrutinize arguments, and formulate well-founded conclusions. This process of actively engaging with ideas not only enhances intellectual prowess but also constitutes an enriching facet. Academic writing affords individuals the opportunity to partake in global dialogues within their respective fields. By disseminating research findings or perspectives through publications, researchers establish connections worldwide, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. This interconnectedness contributes to the evolution of collective knowledge and the advancement of scholarly endeavors. Last but not least, engaging in academic writing represents an ongoing journey of learning. This process requires individuals to remain abreast of the latest research, methodologies, and trends, thereby promoting continuous intellectual growth.
(by Brad Li, Alisa Lu)
Federico G. Seifarth
Dr. Seifarth is an Associate Professor of Surgery with an interest in clinical research, advanced surgical technologies, clinical innovation, and provider well-being. He has a broad international clinical pediatric and surgical background and training in minimally invasive techniques including robotic surgery in children. In recent years, he has been involved in building practices to provide advanced pediatric surgical and medical care in rural America. The latter sparked his interest in process efficiency in healthcare and healthcare disparities. As surgeon-in-chief and head of the division of pediatric surgery at WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital, he is responsible for providing 24/7 surgical care for patients from West Virginia but also from Southern Pennsylvania, Western Maryland and Eastern Ohio. His practice includes surgical oncology, trauma surgery, abdominal and thoracic surgery, chest wall deformities with a focus on minimally invasive techniques from birth to adolescence. Dr. Seifarth’s profile can be accessed here.
Dr. Seifarth stresses that academic writing not only spreads medical knowledge but is an important tool to teach and improve critical thinking skills for medical students and residents. It creates an international platform of like-minded researchers with a common interest.
In his view, curiosity and an investigative mind are prerequisites for each author. Good authors can identify a problem or question of interest, condense it, and formulate a simple discussion or answer.
“One of the secrets of academic productivity lies in the development of a team. Identify talents in your environment and facilitate growth. Tasks in research and manuscript writing can be divided, leaving time for clinical chores,” Dr. Seifarth says.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Nobutaka Kawamoto
Nobutaka Kawamoto, MD, PhD, is affiliated with the Department of Thoracic Surgery, JA Hiroshima General Hospital, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, Japan. He is a thoracic surgeon, specializing in the surgical treatment of lung cancer, mediastinal tumor, pneumothorax, empyema, and chest trauma. In particular, he performs minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, VATS). He focuses on surgical treatment of lung cancer, not only local control, but also preservation of pulmonary function. Recently, he has been researching the relationship between tumor location and the frequency of occult lymph nodal metastasis in patients with clinical N0 lung cancer. Identifying predictors of occult lymph nodal metastasis is important in deciding surgical procedures. He hopes that the best surgical procedures will be selected for lung cancer patients and improve the outcome of lung cancer treatment.
Dr. Kawamoto considers that a good academic paper should have a clear statement of the problem, a good research, a logical sentence structure, a review of references, persuasive evidence, and a clear conclusion. Additionally, it should also provide the readers with new insights and perspectives, and the research should be the cornerstone of other new research.
Speaking of biases in writing, Dr. Kawamoto believes that biases can be avoided by maintaining an objective viewpoint throughout the paper. To do so, it is necessary to have sufficient knowledge about the research area. In addition, it is necessary to repeatedly discuss with co-authors regarding the content of the paper, and check for bias in the thought process.
Lastly, Dr. Kawamoto shares, “Writing a paper involves a lot of hard work, but it is a great honor to be able to share your research and clinical experience with the world. Your research may change the common knowledge of science.”
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Tiffany Eatz
Tiffany Eatz is a medical student at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and a SAG-AFTRA actress, music artist, dancer, model, and author. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University as a pre-med triple major in Neuroscience, Writing Seminars, and Medicine, Science, and the Humanities with a minor in Theatre. She was a contributor to U.S. News & World Report on behalf of Johns Hopkins Cardiology and has performed research for UMiami’s Neurology, Neurosurgery, Immunology, Interventional Radiology, Endocrinology, Radiology, and Oncology departments, and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. She has served as a reviewer for multiple medical journals, the founder/president of Dr. Q's Mission: Brain Miami chapter, founder/president of the UMiami Immunology Interest Group, president of Beats Per Minute UMiami dance team, and vice president of the UMiami American Medical Association. She plans to apply for neurology residency and neurointerventional surgical fellowship thereafter. Her future research mainly focuses on endovascular neuro interventions.
Dr. Eatz stresses that academic writing is crucial in science as it is the crux of communication. Medicine and science are a collaboration not only between physicians and scientists but also patients. Through writing, authors may hypothesize, analyze, present, question, review, and critique. Writing births discoveries and a snowball effect over time occurs within literature that enables and highlights new avenues for investigation. She adds, “One study may spark another that ignites the next and so forth until we arrive at efficacious and safe treatments and cures. It is a beautiful phenomenon when physicians, scientists, and patients work synergistically in clinical and lab settings which translates to the technological written world web. Academic writing provides a cohesive and organized format to portray the author’s message that may be understood by all. With a pen and paper or keyboard, authors can all work together to advance humanity and save lives. Imagine doing that alone, without the eloquence of communicative words.”
Seeing science advances rapidly day by day, Dr. Eatz points out that a literature review is imperative to stay up to date with research. It is efficient to target one’s browsing to the most impactful journals in one’s field of study. Although systematic reviews may be time-consuming to execute and not necessarily novel, they are important as they summarize literature over time to update audiences in current times. Case reports, randomized control trials, cohort, case-control, cross-sectional, experimental and all types of research studies are also certainly important to keep up with. Another effective tactic to stay up to date with research is to read media outlet editorials and articles. Journalists rapidly bring some medical journal articles to light with far more exposure through outlets such as U.S. News & World Report, Medscape, The New York Times, and so on. News and media coverage also help guide public attention to medical discoveries and studies and garner more readers.
“Everyone’s brain is unique. I tend to succeed more the more that I do. I am very hyperactive and organized. The staple of my scheduling is my trusty handwritten agenda. I find that writing out to-do lists, slotting my days by the hour, and checking off tasks brings me great pleasure. Time management is crucial in medicine and the workplace, especially if you are trying to juggle many responsibilities—and patients always take the utmost priority. But if you love what you do, your passion will carry you,” Dr. Eatz says.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)