[How do I write a scientific article--advice to a young researcher]

Abstract

Medical care should be based on the best available scientific evidence, and physicians are frequently engaged in research to contribute to the evidence base. Publishing is a prerequisite for science and publication record is an indicator of the merits of a scientist. The predominant format for publication of medical research is journal articles. Writing a journal article can be a daunting task for a neophyte, and the skill is usually adopted with learning by doing, with little formal training available. This review describes the general structure of an article and the essential contents of each section.