How to Publish? Strategies for successful medical publication drawing on the experiences of North African researchers

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Published Jan 22, 2026
https://doi.org/10.62438/tunismed.v103i11.6091
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Vol. 103 No. 11 (2025): Tunis Med Nov 2025

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Rym Fakhfakh
Rheumatology Department, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
Meriem Gaddas
Research Laboratory LR12SP09 'Heart Failure' Sousse, Department of Physiology and Functional Explorations, Farhat Hached University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine 'Ibn el Jazzar' of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8836-767X
Rihem Dahmane
Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, University of Sousse, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Sahloul Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6212-9790
Imen Ben Saida
Research Laboratory LR12SP09 'Heart Failure', Medical Intensive Care Unit, Farhat Hached Hospital, Faculty of Medicine 'Ibn El Jazzar' of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8698-9339
Helmi Ben Saad
Research Laboratory LR12SP09 'Heart Failure' Sousse, Department of Physiology and Functional Explorations, Farhat Hached University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine 'Ibn el Jazzar' of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia

Abstract

Background. Publication is crucial for disseminating research findings and advancing scientific knowledge. However, medical researchers in developing countries face significant challenges in publishing their work due to limited resources, mentorship, and access to high-impact journals. This study aimed to identify strategies for successful medical publication, drawing on the experiences of Tunisian researchers.


Methods. This perspective-based study combines a comprehensive literature review with expert-facilitated group discussions. A research session held at the Faculty of Medicine of Sousse (Tunisia) brought together 44 participants from diverse medical specialties. The session included group discussions and expert presentations to explore strategies for successful medical publication.


Results. Key strategies for successful publication were identified, including defining the target manuscript, choosing the appropriate journal, preparing a structured manuscript, ensuring clear and concise writing, following journal-specific guidelines, and adhering to ethical considerations. Other important aspects, such as identifying authorship, avoiding predatory journals, disclosure of conflicts, acknowledgements, cover letters, and responses to peer reviews, were often neglected in the feedback of Tunisian researchers.


Conclusion. Strengthening the publishing capacity of researchers in developing countries requires targeted training programs and institutional support. By implementing best practices in manuscript preparation and submission, researchers can enhance their chances of publication in high-quality medical journals.

Keywords:

Biomedical Research, Global Health, Low- and Middle-Income Countries, Manuscripts, Medical Writing, Publication

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Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Author Biographies

Meriem Gaddas, Research Laboratory LR12SP09 'Heart Failure' Sousse, Department of Physiology and Functional Explorations, Farhat Hached University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine 'Ibn el Jazzar' of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia

2 University of Sousse, Faculty of Medicine 'Ibn el Jazzar' of Sousse, Farhat HACHED University Hospital, Research Laboratory LR12SP09 'Heart Failure' Sousse, Tunisia

3 Department of Physiology and Functional Explorations, Farhat HACHED University Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia

Rihem Dahmane, Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, University of Sousse, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, Sahloul Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia

Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation

Imen Ben Saida, Research Laboratory LR12SP09 'Heart Failure', Medical Intensive Care Unit, Farhat Hached Hospital, Faculty of Medicine 'Ibn El Jazzar' of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia

 Medical Intensive Care Unit, Farhat Hached Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia

Helmi Ben Saad, Research Laboratory LR12SP09 'Heart Failure' Sousse, Department of Physiology and Functional Explorations, Farhat Hached University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine 'Ibn el Jazzar' of Sousse, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia

Department of Physiology and Functional Explorations, Farhat HACHED University Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia

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