CI Overview

  

 

“Clinical Inquiries has been one of the most popular and most-read features of The Journal of Family Practice. Because Clinical Inquiries seek to answer, in an evidence-based fashion, questions that arise from daily practice, the answers are always important. They either push us to practice better evidence-based medicine, confirm that we are doing the right thing, or let us know where there is insufficient evidence to support one approach or another. Please keep these high-quality, evidence-based summaries coming our way!” -- John Hickner, MD, MSc - Editor-in-Chief, The Journal of Family Practice Head and University of Illinois, Department of Family Medicine (retired)

What is a Clinical Inquiry?

Clinical Inquiries are physician formulated questions that are answered with the best available evidence found in a systematic literature search.

Where are CIs published?

CIs are published in the peer-reviewed, MEDLINE indexed journals, the Journal of Family Practice and American Family Physician. In addition, select Cls are published in the FPIN journal, Evidence-Based Practice.

Are medical librarians required to write a CI?

No. Author teams are now allowed to complete their own systematic literature search using the CI Search Summary Form. An author team's institutional librarian may complete the literature search.

Who can write Clinical Inquiries?

FPIN member programs are invited by the FPIN team to apply for participation in the CI writing project as capacity becomes available. If your program is invited, your Corresponding Authors will be asked to submit their CV and complete an interview with the Editor-in-Chief of the project.

What are the Corresponding Author qualifications?

  • Expert level skills in searching the medical literature
  • Expert level critical appraisal skills, including an intermediate level knowledge of clinically relevant medical statistics
  • Expert level medical writing skills and be detail-oriented and follow instructions appropriately
  • A track record of completing work by negotiated deadlines
  • Consistently communicates with others in a timely, constructive manner
  • Ability to accept constructive feedback from editorial leadership and FPIN staff
  • Basic knowledge of word processing and editorial management software requires for the project or willingness to learn. 
  • Understanding of the peer review process, including how to deal with differing opinions from multiple expert peer reviewers
  • Click here to see the Corresponding Author Expectations

How long does it take to get a CI published?

The average Clinical Inquiry takes between 8 and 9 months from approval of a question for writing to journal submission. 

For more information, contact the CI Project Manager at [email protected] or at 573-256-2066.