Submissions

We are looking for new, unpublished pieces that engage with the topics of care, medicine, learning, health, and/or collective futures in new and exciting ways. We accept submissions on a rolling basis.

While Nostrum is geared towards learners and trainees, we do not require any proof of student status. Rather, we recognize that learning is a life-long process which can take many different forms, both formal and informal. Thus, while we look for pieces generated from a place of humility, curiosity, and creativity, we allow submitters to self-determine their status as learners.

We welcome both critical (e.g. with footnotes) and creative works, though we do not see the two as necessarily separate.

Please note any special, section-related guidelines below.

Visual Art

We realize that works of art can be captured in more than one digital format (i.e. paintings can be photographed or scanned, sculptures can be photographed or videotaped). Because of that, we leave it up to you to represent your work in whichever digital format you feel captures your work the way you want it captured.  

If your submission falls outside the scope of the categories listed above, feel free to contact us and we will figure out a format that works for you. 

Critical Reviews

The Critical Reviews section is where opinion, discourse, and critical commentary collide. This section concerns itself with the current social, political, and cultural events as they pertain to medicine, as well as their impact on the health and well-being of medical providers, patients, and communities. In addition to opinion and critical pieces, we also accept reviews of books and other media relevant to medical humanities. Submitted pieces will be evaluated based on the following main criteria, where applicable:

Length: Submitted pieces must be from 400 to 1000 words in length. Shorter or longer essays may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Please submit pieces as Word documents.

Originality: Submitted pieces must be an original work of the submitting author that has not been published before on any other platform. They should reflect the authentic views of the author and disclose any conflict of interests and contributions, and credit relevant sources.

Content: Excellent submissions will pose clear, thoughtful points followed by a thorough exploration of evidence, which includes but is not limited to research, accounts of lived experiences, and historical precedent. Authors should not shy away from nuance or complexity but rather should explore their arguments fully, including exploring and responding to alternative viewpoints.

Tone: We welcome submissions that seek to pose difficult questions, start challenging conversations, or express strongly held perspectives. We do not, however, condone or publish pieces that employ hateful language, promote violence against individuals or institutions, reject well-established science, or perpetuate harmful stereotypes about any group.

Adapted from: New York Times, Quillet, STAT