Submit Your Healthcare Systems Research
Join leading health services researchers advancing healthcare delivery, policy, and quality improvement through rigorous peer-reviewed publication
Complete your submission in 15 minutes
Two Convenient Submission Methods
We offer flexible submission options designed to accommodate your workflow preferences. Choose the method that works best for your healthcare systems research manuscript.
ManuscriptZone Portal
Our comprehensive manuscript management system provides full tracking capabilities, automated workflows, and real-time status updates throughout the peer review process.
- Auto-save functionality protects your work
- Guided submission workflow with validation
- Real-time manuscript status tracking
- Direct access to reviewer comments
- Integrated revision submission tools
- Secure document management
Best for: Complete manuscript management, tracking multiple submissions, and accessing detailed reviewer feedback.
Submit via ManuscriptZoneQuick Submission Form
A streamlined submission process for straightforward healthcare research manuscripts. Perfect for authors who prefer a simplified workflow without account creation.
- No account registration required
- Single-page submission form
- Fast upload process
- Immediate confirmation email
- Suitable for standard manuscripts
- Email-based status updates
Best for: Quick submissions of standard research articles without the need for ongoing portal access.
Use Quick Submission FormHealthcare Systems Research We Publish
The Journal of Patient Care and Services welcomes rigorous research advancing healthcare delivery, policy, and quality improvement. We publish diverse manuscript types addressing critical challenges in health services research.
Healthcare Policy Analysis
Empirical studies examining healthcare policy implementation, impact evaluation, comparative policy analysis, and health system reforms.
Quality Improvement Studies
Original research on quality metrics, patient safety initiatives, process improvement interventions, and healthcare performance measurement.
Health Informatics Research
Studies on electronic health records, health information systems, clinical decision support, telemedicine, and digital health technologies.
Healthcare Delivery Models
Research evaluating care delivery innovations, integrated care systems, patient-centered medical homes, and service delivery optimization.
Health Economics Studies
Cost-effectiveness analyses, health technology assessments, resource allocation studies, and economic evaluations of healthcare interventions.
Patient Experience Research
Studies examining patient satisfaction, patient-reported outcomes, care coordination, patient engagement, and healthcare accessibility.
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
Comprehensive evidence syntheses on health services topics, following PRISMA guidelines for systematic review methodology.
Healthcare Workforce Studies
Research on healthcare workforce planning, professional development, team-based care, burnout prevention, and staffing optimization.
Rapid Communications
Time-sensitive findings on emerging healthcare challenges, urgent policy issues, or preliminary data requiring rapid dissemination.
Note: All manuscripts undergo rigorous peer review by experts in health services research, healthcare policy, and related disciplines. We prioritize methodological rigor, practical implications, and contributions to healthcare system improvement.
Pre-Submission Checklist
Ensure your healthcare systems research manuscript is submission-ready by verifying these essential components. A complete submission accelerates the editorial review process.
Manuscript File
Complete manuscript in Word (.docx) or LaTeX format, properly formatted with all sections included (abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusions).
Figures & Tables
High-resolution figures (TIFF/EPS, 300 DPI minimum) and properly formatted tables with descriptive captions. Ensure all visual elements are referenced in text.
Ethics Documentation
IRB approval letters, ethics committee approvals, or statements of ethics compliance for studies involving human subjects or health data.
Author Information
Complete author details including affiliations, ORCID IDs, contributions, and corresponding author contact information. All authors must approve submission.
Competing Interests
Declaration of financial relationships, institutional affiliations, or other interests that could influence the research or its interpretation.
Cover Letter
Letter to the editor highlighting the significance of your health services research, its contribution to the field, and why it fits the journal's scope.
Transparent Peer Review Timeline
We believe in transparency throughout the publication process. Our structured timeline ensures efficient, rigorous peer review while respecting your time and research contributions.
Submission Received
Your manuscript is logged into our system and assigned a unique tracking number. You receive immediate confirmation with submission details.
Day 0Editorial Screening
Editor-in-Chief reviews manuscript for scope fit, methodological soundness, and completeness. Plagiarism check performed using iThenticate (similarity index must be under 30%).
Days 1-3Reviewer Assignment
Manuscript assigned to 2-3 expert reviewers with specialized knowledge in health services research, healthcare policy, or your specific research area.
Days 4-7Peer Review
Expert reviewers evaluate methodology, significance, clarity, and contribution to healthcare systems knowledge. Reviewers provide constructive feedback and recommendations.
Days 8-21Editorial Decision
Editor synthesizes reviewer feedback and makes decision: Accept, Minor Revisions, Major Revisions, or Reject. You receive detailed reviewer comments and editorial guidance.
Days 22-28Revision Submission
Authors revise manuscript addressing reviewer comments. Submit revised manuscript with point-by-point response letter explaining changes made.
Author timelineRe-review
Revised manuscript reviewed by original reviewers or editor to verify adequate response to comments and improvements made.
Days 1-14Final Acceptance
Manuscript accepted for publication. You receive acceptance letter and information about production timeline, article processing charges, and publication details.
Day 1Production & Publication
Manuscript undergoes copyediting, formatting, and typesetting. You review and approve final proofs before online publication and indexing.
Days 1-10Average total timeline: 60 days from submission to publication for manuscripts requiring one round of revisions. Fast-track review available for time-sensitive healthcare research.
Why Healthcare Researchers Choose Us
We understand the unique challenges of health services research and provide specialized support to ensure your work reaches the right audience and makes meaningful impact.
Specialized Indexing
Your research gains worldwide visibility through indexing in Google Scholar, connecting it with the global scientific community.
Expert Reviewers
Peer review by leading health services researchers, healthcare policy experts, and practitioners who understand the complexities of healthcare systems research.
Fast Decisions
Average 21 days to first decision with transparent timelines. Fast-track review available for urgent healthcare policy research and time-sensitive findings.
Open Access Impact
Immediate global visibility with no paywalls. Your research reaches healthcare administrators, policymakers, and practitioners who can implement your findings.
Ethical Standards
COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) member committed to publication integrity, transparent peer review, and ethical research practices in health services.
APC Waivers Available
Article processing charge waivers and discounts available for researchers from low-income countries and unfunded studies. Financial barriers should not limit knowledge sharing.
Submission Requirements for Healthcare Research
To ensure efficient processing of your health services manuscript, please adhere to these discipline-specific requirements and formatting guidelines.
Manuscript Structure
- Title Page: Concise, descriptive title; all author names, affiliations, and ORCID IDs; corresponding author contact details; word count; keywords (5-8 terms)
- Abstract: Structured abstract (250-300 words) with Background, Methods, Results, Conclusions sections for empirical studies; unstructured for reviews and policy analyses
- Introduction: Clear statement of research problem, policy context, or healthcare system challenge; literature review; study objectives and hypotheses
- Methods: Detailed description of study design, setting, participants, data sources, measures, statistical analyses, and ethical approvals. Include CONSORT, STROBE, or other relevant reporting guidelines
- Results: Logical presentation of findings with appropriate tables and figures. Report effect sizes, confidence intervals, and p-values where applicable
- Discussion: Interpretation of findings in context of existing literature, policy implications, practice recommendations, study limitations, and future research directions
- Conclusions: Concise summary of key findings and their significance for healthcare systems, policy, or practice
- References: Vancouver style citation format. Ensure all references are complete, accurate, and accessible
Data and Reproducibility
- Data availability statement required for all empirical studies
- Statistical code sharing encouraged for transparency and reproducibility
- Clinical trial registration number required for intervention studies
- Protocol registration encouraged for systematic reviews (PROSPERO)
Ethics and Compliance
- IRB/Ethics committee approval required for studies involving human subjects or health data
- Informed consent documentation for patient-level research
- Data privacy and HIPAA compliance for health information studies
- Competing interests disclosure for all authors
- Funding source acknowledgment and funder role statement
Ready to Submit Your Healthcare Systems Research?
Join researchers advancing healthcare delivery, policy, and quality improvement through rigorous, impactful publication. Our editorial team is here to support you throughout the submission and peer review process.
Need assistance with your submission? Our support team is available to help.
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