Mmmmmm, Low Hanging Fruit

Various.  Clinical Teacher, Medical Education, Medical Teacher, Teaching and Learning in Medicine, JAMA, Journal of Graduate Medical Education, Academic Medicine, American Journal of Nursing, Journal of Interprofessional Care. Available online from the Baystate Health Sciences Library or from PubMed at your institution.

Introduction. Methods. Results. Discussion. 

These four words! They're so... so... strict, yes? I mean, why do these four words hold so much power? That great idea of yours - no really, it's great! - is going to propel you to stardom in health professions education, but not if it can't be published. And it can't be published if it doesn't have an Introduction. Methods. Results. Discussion. 

Right? 

Wrong. See, your great idea? It's more of a...perspective, no? Or, maybe it's more like....like....a viewpoint. No, it's really a souped-up list: twelve tips on achieving stardom in health professions education! 

Well, my friend, there are outlets for you. There are opportunities where your writing can magically transform your brilliance into low hanging fruit. Yum. Before you embark on a full-scale research study (which you absolutely should consider) (with proper mentorship, of course) (call me), check out these peer-reviewed opportunities for writing up your truly brilliant idea into a form other than I-M-R-D. 

• Insights (Clin Teach) - 800 words of "structured reflection"
• How We... (Med Teach) - 2,500 words on how you did something; "what is involved in implementing a practical idea or topic in medical education" with a reflection
• 12 Tips (Med Teach) - 3,200 words max giving practical tips or advice on something
• Perspectives (JGME) - 1,200 words of an evidence-based opinion
• On Teaching/On Learning (JGME) - 1,200 words of a personal reflection or essay of the physician experience
• Really Good Stuff (Med Educ) - semi-annual opportunity for a 500-word write-up of a new innovation or idea
• Short Report (J Interprofessional Care) - 1,000 words about an innovation or research in progress (before it becomes I-M-R-D)
• Last Page (Acad Med) - one-page visual display of a concept, trend, program, policy, or person that is timely or timeless. (Guess where you'll find it in the journal?)
• Developments (Teach Learn Med) - 2,000 words of a new innovation or, yes, a development
• Viewpoint (JAMA) - About 1,000 words, well focused and evidence-based on an important topic
• Viewpoint (Am J Nursing) - 700 words of a topic - may or may not be controversial (roll those sleeves up!)
• Reflections (Am J Nursing) - 850-words of a reflection on a personal nursing story (must be good writing - some people are so picky)

These are just a few. There are plenty more opportunities out there. Don't let the burden of a I-M-R-D article keep you from getting your word out there! Search the author guidelines of your favorite journal and find some of these other opportunities. You have a date with stardom! 

Bottom Line:

Look, if your project was meant to be published as I-M-R-D, you wouldn't still be reading this. Step back, think about what you want to say. We may not all have one good novel in us, but we all have a great idea (wink, wink - yours is awesome!) waiting to see daylight. So, free yourself of the I-M-R-D doldrum and grab that low-hanging fruit.