Authors are encouraged to discuss article ideas with the editor before beginning work on an article. By taking this step, the author has the opportunity to tailor the topic to OFP's reader interests and prevent dual submission of manuscripts on the same topic. Topic proposals should be submitted via email to ofpeditor@acofp.org with the words, OFP Article Proposal for Editor in the subject header.

To avoid a perception of bias, OFP does not consider articles sponsored indirectly or directly by the following: pharmaceutical company, a medical education company, or other commercial entity or those written by an author who has a financial relationship with an interest in any commercial entity that may have an interest in the subject matter of the article within the previous 36 month or foreseeable future.

Articles and Departments

Authors may submit manuscripts in any of the following categories.  All articles should be submitted via OFP's Editorial Publishing online submission system. 

Recommended limits on word count, number of references, and number of tables or figures are listed below for each OFP section. These limits are provided to help guide authors as they prepare their submissions. Manuscripts that exceed these limits may be considered for publication; however, an author may be asked to shorten his or her manuscript. Lengthy graphic elements and supplemental material may be published online only.

EVIDENCE-BASED CLINICAL REVIEW ARTICLE
Most articles in OFP are evidence-based clinical review articles. Manuscripts should be based on solid research evidence and formatted to provide concise, helpful information with emphasis on diagnosis and treatment of common, important diseases osteopathic family physicians encounter with an osteopathic component. Authors are encouraged to create their own tables and figures instead of using previously published material.  Reviews should be generally 1500 to 1800 words in length with no more than 75 references and 4 tables or figures. OFP requires you to submit a 250-word abstract, along with four to six keywords. Submissions should also include 3-5 CME quiz questions.

CLINICAL IMAGES
This section showcases clinical images from the wards that cover essential concepts or subject matter to the osteopathic family physician.  Each installment of “Clinical Images” comprises 1 or 2 medical images along with a brief synopsis of how the case presented along with 1–4 questions and approximately 1 page of education with reference to the image and questions, and with no more than 20 references.

BRIEF REPORTS - Practice Management, Health Policy, Medical Education
OFP publishes articles offering advice based on practical experience and on special knowledge or expertise. OFP prefers articles that reflect expert opinion or broad practice experience. The test for publication will always be whether it is immediately useful to the osteopathic family physicians who read OFP and contain an osteopathic component.  OFP brief reports should be approximately 1,000 words. If your manuscript includes a number of illustrations, graphs, or tables, try to adjust the manuscript text to compensate for the space these elements take up. OFP requires you to submit a 250-word abstract, up to 35 references, along with four to six keywords.

PATIENT EDUCATION HANDOUTS

Patient education handouts should provide basic information about topics relevant to osteopathic family medicine.  The information is meant to supplement discussion with a patient during an office visit.  The handouts should be written at a high school level, with the understanding that some patients may have limited knowledge of common medical terms.

• Keep the handout short and concise (no more than two pages)
• Use short sentences and short paragraphs
• Focus on the key points necessary for the patient to know
• Avoid medical jargon and terminology unless necessary
• Organize information using headings
• Use images when appropriate
• Include up to date references in AMA format

Brief background and definition of the topic

What actions can the patient take at home to monitor, control, or alleviate the problem?

What medications are used for the disease and why? i.e., discussion of the classes of drugs, why a doctor would put you on specific medications

Advice on basic patient interventions: i.e., rest, exercise, nutrition, salt, sugar in foods, etc.

Advice on when to call the doctor if concerned

List resources that can assist the patient to better understand the illness, providing links if appropriate.

Provide references (3-5): Only primary source journals are acceptable and should be cited in AMA format.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Osteopathic family physicians, faculty members at osteopathic medical colleges, osteopathic medical students, and others in the healthcare professions are encouraged to submit comments related either to articles published in the OFP or to the mission of the osteopathic medical profession. Letters submitted for publication in OFP should be fewer than 400 words in length, with a limit of one table or figure, six or fewer references, and no more than three authors.  

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

OFP does not currently publish original research.