All article submissions, including commissioned ones, should be sent using the submission feature of the
SPMC JHCS website (
https://submissions.spmcjournal.com). The journal does
not collect article submission charges or article processing charges.
SPMC JHCS accepts submissions and commissions articles on a year-round basis. Individual articles are published online immediately upon completion of peer review, editorial processing, and copyediting to ensure the timely dissemination of new health care knowledge. Published articles are subsequently consolidated into two formal issues, released annually in June and December.
A. Case Reports
Authors should follow the
CARE Checklist in preparing the manuscript for a case report.
Case report submissions should contain the following sections:
- Title: should state the final diagnosis
- Authors and affiliations
- Abstract: up to 250 words (refer to the CARE Checklist for required contents)
- Keywords: 2 to 5 words or phrases that do not duplicate terms used in the title
- Introduction
- Clinical features
- Diagnostic approaches
- Therapeutic approaches
- Outcomes
- Discussion
- References
- Acknowledgments
The main text of the case report should not exceed 2,000 words (excluding the title, abstract, tables, figures, references, and acknowledgments).
Authors must make every attempt to obtain an Affidavit of Consent to Publish for any article or photo that describe a patient. The affidavit should be duly signed by the patient or by the patient's legally authorized representative (LAR). Authors may use the SPMC template provided by the Research Utilization and Publication Unit (RUPU) for this purpose. A completed copy of the affidavit must be submitted together with the case report and/or patient images.
B. Research reports
Authors should follow the appropriate
EQUATOR Network checklist for reporting research results. Common study types and their corresponding reporting guidelines are listed below. For a complete and up-to-date list of reporting guidelines, authors are encouraged to visit the
EQUATOR Network website.
Checklists and diagrams
- Randomized controlled trials
CONSORT Checklist
CONSORT Flow Diagram
- Observational studies (cohort, case-control, cross-sectional)
STROBE Checklist
- Meta-analysis and systematic reviews
PRISMA Checklist
PRISMA Flow Diagram
- Diagnostic accuracy studies
STARD Checklist
STARD Flow Diagram
- Prediction model for individual prognosis or diagnosis
TRIPOD
- Qualitative studies
COREQ
- Economic evaluation
CHEERS
Research report submissions should contain the following sections:
- Title
- Authors and affiliations
- Abstract: Up to 250 words. The abstract should (generally) include the following sub-headings, as applicable: Background, Objectives, Design, Setting, Participants, Interventions (if any), Main Outcome Measures, Main Results, and Conclusion. Authors should refer to the relevant reporting checklist for study-specific abstract requirements.
- Keywords: 2 to 5 words or phrases that do not duplicate terms used in the title
- Introduction
- Methods
- Results
- Discussion
- References
- Acknowledgments
The main text of the research report should not exceed 5,000 words (excluding the title, abstract, tables, figures, references, and acknowledgments).
Ethics approval
Research involving human participants must have prior approval or favorable endorsement from an IRB or REC. Authors are required to submit a copy of the Certificate of Approval or Certificate of Favorable Endorsement together with the research report.
Data availability
As a condition of publication,
SPMC JHCS requires that data supporting the results in the manuscript be deposited in an appropriate public data repository.
SPMC JHCS recommends the use of
Harvard Dataverse, a free and open-access platform that allows researchers worldwide to share, cite, reuse and archive research data.
1. Definition of data that must be shared
A minimal dataset is defined as the dataset used to reach the conclusions drawn in the manuscript along with related metadata, methods, and any additional data necessary to fully replicate the reported study findings. Authors should provide sufficient information for other researchers to understand the data, and include citations for any datasets from which the replication set is derived. Core descriptive data, methods, and study results should be included within the main manuscript, regardless of data deposition. Authors who have datasets too large for standard repositories or file uploads should contact SPMC JHCS for guidance. (Adapted from PLOS™ Data Policy)
2. Guidance on sharing datasets that derive from work involving human participants
SPMC JHCS recognizes that for reasons of privacy, national security, or commercial confidentiality, full datasets may not always be openly shareable. In such cases, researchers should should make their data available under the least restrictive terms consistent with legal requirements, and the ethical guidelines of their research community. This includes sharing non-sensitive data, summary data, metadata, and code, as well as facilitating access if the original data owner grants permission to other researchers. (Adapted from OKF™s Open Economics Principles)
3. Guidance on Data Citation
If research data are deposited concurrently with the manuscript through the OJS™ article submission form, a Data Citation will automatically be generated by the Harvard Dataverse. If the research date are already available in a repository, the suggested Data Citation format is as follows:
Author(s), Year, Dataset Title, Global Persistent Identifier, Data Repository or Archive, Version, Subset
For more information on Data Citation best practices, please refer to
Force11™s Data Citation Principles.
The information published in SPMC JHCS is intended for professionals and students in health care disciplines. The contents reflect contributions from individuals or organizations, and SPMC is not responsible for the accuracy of any data used in preparation of these articles.
The views and opinions expressed by authors of individual articles are their own and do not reflect the official position of SPMC. The contents of this publication are not intended to replace the advice of a qualified medical professional. SPMC shall not be held liable for any damages resulting from the use of, or inability to use, the information provided in SPMC JHCS.
C. Book reviews
Reviews of books relevant to health care services and the health professions may be submitted for publication. Book review submissions should include:
-
Book details: title, author(s) or editor(s) of the book, ISBN
-
General scope and contents of the book
-
Relevance of the book to its readers
-
(Optional) Comparison with other books in the same field
-
References
-
Acknowledgments
The main text of the review should not exceed 2,000 words (excluding the title, references, and acknowledgments).
D. Clinical images
Submissions may include unreported, unexpected, or unusual findings from physical examinations, intraoperative procedures, histopathology, radiology, or other medical imaging. Up to four photos may be submitted per case.
Clinical images submissions should contain the following sections:
-
Title: clearly stating the final diagnosis
-
Authors and affiliations
-
Brief clinical description (maximum 300 words), including:
Patient age and sex
Chief complaint, brief history, physical examination findings
Relevant diagnostics
Final diagnosis
Relevant therapeutics
Outcomes
Description of each image
-
Acknowledgments
Authors must obtain a signed affidavit of consent from the patient or their LAR. The SPMC template, available from RUPU or SPMC Legal Office, should be used.
A copy of the affidavit must be submitted with the images and clinical description.
E. Editorials
Editorials are usually commissioned, but submitted editorials on topics relevant to health care services are welcome. Submissions should include authors’ names and their affiliations, statements of competing interests, and acknowledgments, as appropriate. The main text of the editorial should not exceed 1,000 words (excluding the title and references).
F. Perspectives
Perspectives are brief essays based on personal experiences in health care services. Submissions are welcome from all health care stakeholders. Submissions should include authors’ names and their affiliations, statements of competing interests, and acknowledgments, as appropriate. The main text of the perspectives should not exceed 1,000 words (excluding the title and references).
4.1 Duties of the Publisher
4.1.1. Provide technical, procedural, and legal support to editors, including guidance in liaising with institutions, journals, and publishers.
4.1.2. Mentor researchers on ethical standards in scholarly publishing, offering advice and training consistent with COPE and ICMJE guidelines.
4.1.3. Safeguard editorial independence by ensuring that all editorial decisions of SPMC JHCS remain fully independent and free from influence by the publisher, advertisers, or commercial interests.
4.1.4. Support best practices through Philippine Association of Medical Journal Editors, Inc. (PAMJE) membership, provision of widely recognized similarity and plagiarism detection tools, and compliance with indexing standards.
4.1.5. Guarantee long-term preservation and accessibility of published content through recognized archiving systems (e.g., LOCKSS, CLOCKSS, institutional repositories).
4.2. Duties of the Editorial Board
4.2.1. Participate in Editorial Board meetings to define and review short-, medium-, and long-term journal policies, goals, and strategic plans.
4.2.2. Provide guidance on editorial and scholarly direction by evaluating past issues and recommending topics, special issues, or thematic content aligned with the journal’s scope.
4.2.3. Contribute original scholarly content to the journal, ensuring compliance with ethical and scientific standards.
4.2.4. Identify, recruit, and evaluate qualified peer reviewers, Article Editors, and Editorial Interns to maintain rigorous peer review processes.
4.2.5. Encourage high-quality submissions from researchers, ensuring adherence to international publishing and reporting guidelines.
4.2.6. Recommend continuing education and training for editors to maintain up-to-date knowledge on scholarly publishing, research ethics, and indexing requirements.
4.2.7. Promote and endorse the journal to the academic community to enhance visibility, citation, and compliance with indexing standards.
4.3. Duties of Editors
4.3.1. Oversee the editorial process, including planning, reviewing, and finalizing articles for publication in print and digital formats.
4.3.2. Evaluate submitted manuscripts, provide feedback, and offer second opinions in cases of reviewer conflict.
4.3.3. Copyedit, proofread, and ensure the accuracy, quality, and originality of content before publication.
4.3.4. Facilitate communication with authors throughout the editorial process, guiding revisions and clarifications as needed.
4.3.5. Commission and encourage authors to submit articles, inviting high-quality contributions aligned with the journal’s scope and objectives.
4.3.6. Participate in editorial meetings and discussions to make decisions on content, policies, and publication strategies.
4.3.7. Organize and maintain submission tracking systems, databases, and records for efficient editorial management.
4.3.8. Coordinate the layout, design, and online presentation of articles, liaising with layout teams and printing services.
4.3.9. Mentor and support other editorial staff, in editorial standards and ethical practices.
4.3.10. Promote high-quality submissions by approaching potential contributors and endorsing the journal to the academic community.
4.3.11. Ensure compliance with ethical guidelines, indexing standards, and international best practices in all editorial activities.
4.4. Duties of Peer Reviewers
4.4.1. Provide timely written feedback on the scholarly merits, scientific validity, and overall quality of submitted manuscripts.
4.4.2. Recommend revisions, identify additional work needed, and suggest clarifications to enhance the manuscript’s quality and clarity.
4.4.3. Maintain strict confidentiality of the review process, refraining from sharing, discussing, or disclosing information from the manuscript with authors or third parties.
4.4.4. Complete assigned reviews within the specified timeframe to support efficient editorial processing.
4.5. Duties of Authors
4.5.1. Submit original, accurate, and complete manuscripts that comply with the journal’s scope, style, and ethical standards.
4.5.2. Ensure adherence to international reporting guidelines and ethical principles relevant to the research design and manuscript type.
4.5.3. Disclose all conflicts of interest, sources of funding, and prior publication or submission history.
4.5.4. Respond promptly and constructively to editorial and peer review feedback, making necessary revisions to improve manuscript quality.
4.5.5. Maintain integrity and transparency in data collection, analysis, and reporting, providing accurate citations and proper attribution to prior work.
4.5.6. Respect confidentiality during the review process and refrain from distributing, discussing, or publishing content under review elsewhere.
4.5.7. Comply with submission requirements, deadlines, and editorial instructions to facilitate efficient processing and publication.
4.5.8. Cooperate with editors, peer reviewers, and the journal staff in ethical publishing practices, including responding to queries about authorship, data, and research conduct.
4.5.9. Promote the dissemination of published work responsibly, acknowledging the journal as the source of publication.
4.6. Identification of and Response to Allegations of Research Misconduct
SPMC JHCS upholds the highest standards of research integrity and publication ethics and implements measures to identify, prevent, and address research misconduct at all stages of the publication process.
All submissions undergo pre-publication screening using widely accepted plagiarism and similarity detection tools, followed by editorial assessment and peer review. Manuscripts involving research misconduct—including, but not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, citation manipulation, data fabrication or falsification, inappropriate image manipulation, unethical authorship practices, or failure to disclose conflicts of interest—are not considered for publication.
The editors and the publisher do not encourage, tolerate, or knowingly permit research misconduct. Allegations received before or after publication are addressed fairly, transparently, and promptly in accordance with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines. Appropriate corrective actions may include corrections, expressions of concern, or retractions, and, when necessary, coordination with authors’ affiliated institutions.
4.7. Fair play
SPMC JHCS upholds transparency and ethical standards in the evaluation of submitted manuscripts by ensuring impartial review and assessing each submission solely on its academic and scholarly merit.
4.8. Citations and journal metrics
SPMC JHCS and its editors require that all references included in published articles serve legitimate scholarly purposes. Any effort to artificially influence journal metrics or rankings through inappropriate, non-scholarly, or excessive citations is strictly prohibited.
4.9. Confidentiality
SPMC JHCS and its editors are committed to safeguarding the confidentiality of all submitted materials, as well as communications with authors and reviewers, unless disclosure has been expressly authorized.
Reviewer identities must remain confidential unless the review is conducted under an open peer-review model or the reviewers have agreed to disclosure.
All privileged information or ideas obtained through the peer-review process must be treated as confidential and may not be used for personal or professional gain.
4.10. Reporting guidelines
Visit the
Author's Guidelines to review
SPMC JHCS's recommended reporting guidelines for authors.
4.11. Informed consent
SPMC JHCS publishes only research that has received prior approval from a duly constituted Research Ethics Committee (REC) or Institutional Review Board (IRB).
For studies involving human participants, authors must declare that informed consent was obtained from all participants or their legally authorized representatives (LARs), in accordance with internationally accepted ethical standards and applicable regulations. Authors must identify the approving REC or IRB and provide the corresponding approval reference number or protocol code. If informed consent was waived, authors must provide a justification for the waiver.
Authors must ensure the protection of participants’ privacy, confidentiality, and dignity. Manuscripts that do not document ethical approval and informed consent procedures will not be considered for publication.
4.12. Animal rights
SPMC JHCS is committed to upholding internationally accepted standards for the ethical use and welfare of animals in research. While the journal has not routinely published animal-based studies, such submissions may be considered if they meet established ethical requirements.
For manuscripts reporting animal research, authors must confirm that all procedures were reviewed and approved by an appropriate Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) or equivalent ethics body, and conducted in accordance with internationally recognized guidelines for animal care and use, as well as applicable national and institutional regulations.
Authors must also state that appropriate measures were taken to minimize animal suffering and to use the minimum number of animals necessary to achieve scientific objectives. Manuscripts that fail to demonstrate compliance with these ethical standards will not be considered for publication.
4.13. Conflict of Interest
SPMC JHCS adheres to uniform disclosure of competing interests in accordance with ICMJE guidelines.
Authors must disclose the following information:
- Identifying information of the author(s) and the submitted work
- Relevant financial activities outside the submitted work
- Intellectual property, including patents and copyrights
- Any other relationships or activities that could be perceived as potential conflicts of interest
All authors, including submitting authors and coauthors, must complete and submit a Conflict of Interest (COI) disclosure form prior to the publication.
4.14 Privacy
SPMC JHCS is committed to protecting the privacy and personal data of all users, authors, reviewers, and editorial staff in accordance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173) and internationally accepted best practices.
Names, email addresses, and other personal information provided to the journal will be collected, stored, and used solely for journal-related purposes, including manuscript submission, peer review, publication, and communication with authors and reviewers. Such information will not be shared with third parties or used for any purpose outside the scope of journal operations without explicit consent.
SPMC JHCS implements reasonable technical, administrative, and organizational safeguards to protect personal data against unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. Users have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of their personal information in accordance with applicable data protection laws and journal policies.
Open Access
All publications are published under a Creative Commons Attribution–NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license by default. Under this license, authors retain copyright ownership of their work. The license automatically gives permission to others to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, link to, archive and create derivative works from the article for non-commercial purposes, provided appropriate credit is given to the author. This open-access policy ensures wide dissemination and accessibility of published work. After publication authors remain free to present their work at academic conferences or submit it to academic societies or other publishers for further consideration.
This open-access statement fulfills the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) definition of open access.
Submission of a manuscript does not guarantee publication. All submitted and commissioned manuscripts undergo a double-blind peer review by invited experts whose expertise aligns with the subject matter. Reviewers evaluate submissions and provide recommendations to ensure scholarly quality.
All submissions are screened using Turnitin OriginalityCheck™ to detect plagiarism. Based on the similarity report, authors may be required to revise their manuscripts. Submissions with excessively high similarity indices may be rejected. Final publication decisions are made by the editors based on their assessment and reviewer recommendations. The editors reserve the right to withhold submissions from publication.
Accepted manuscripts proceed to copyediting and proofreading. Editors may revise submissions for accuracy, clarity, grammar, style, punctuation, formatting, and length. Authors will receive the copyedited manuscript for review and a galley proof for final approval prior to publication.
Digital archiving policy: Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe (LOCKSS) and Controlled LOCKSS (CLOCKSS)
Article identifiers: Archival Resource Key (ARK)
For any concerns regarding submissions, email us at
spmcpapers@gmail.com or
rupu@spmcdvo.net.
For authors who are new to this site, please refer to the Public Knowledge Project - Open Journal Systems
User Guide for Authors.
