The Revista Médica del IMSS publishes original articles in Spanish or English that represent a significant contribution to knowledge in the health sciences. Versions previously published, in press, or derived from already disseminated works are not accepted.

Upon receipt through the journal’s online portal, each manuscript is registered with a unique identification number and undergoes an initial editorial screening to verify compliance with the Instructions for Authors, inclusion of the required attachments (conflict of interest declaration, authorship acknowledgment, and copyright transfer form), as well as its thematic relevance, originality, and scientific contribution. Only manuscripts that pass this initial stage proceed to peer review. Download the Reviewers’ Manual here.

Once the manuscript has been registered, it is not ethically acceptable to submit it simultaneously to another publication (print or electronic). Likewise, changes in the order of authorship or the addition or removal of authors are not permitted. If the author wishes to withdraw the article, a formal written notification must be sent to the editor at revista.medica@imss.gob.mx.

All manuscripts are subjected to a double-blind peer review process to ensure anonymity of both authors and reviewers. Each paper is usually assigned to two expert reviewers in the corresponding field, who complete a validated evaluation form approved by the Editorial Board. The assessment considers originality, methodological rigor, argumentative coherence, scientific relevance, up-to-date bibliography, and ethical compliance.

The review process is confidential and may result in one of three possible outcomes: acceptance, request for revisions, or rejection. In cases of conflicting evaluations, the editor may appoint a third reviewer to issue a final and unappealable decision. The editor is responsible for communicating the decision and reviewers’ comments to the corresponding author.

If the article is accepted with revisions, the author has 20 business days to submit a revised version along with a response letter detailing the changes made. Failure to meet this deadline may result in rejection of the manuscript.

The average time from submission to publication ranges from 8 to 10 months, depending on the type of article and the efficiency of the review process.

Once accepted for publication, authors retain the moral and intellectual rights to their work. However, the published version becomes the property of the journal through the transfer of patrimonial rights signed by all authors. Any total or partial reproduction of the text in another medium requires prior written authorization from the editor.

The journal adheres to the principles of publication ethics and best editorial practices recommended by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), ensuring transparency, scientific integrity, and fairness throughout all editorial processes.

In case of maintenance of the journal’s electronic platform, all evaluation and editorial procedures will continue via the official email: revista.medica@imss.gob.mx.

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