Author Insights: Publishing with Annals of Surgery Open

About the author

Rebecca Malcolm completed her undergraduate studies at Queen's University in Canada. While originally pursuing a career in healthcare research, Malcolm now serves as a healthcare coordinator for adults with disabilities at group homes in Ontario, focusing on healthcare disability advocacy.

Her transition from research to direct healthcare advocacy hasn't diminished the relevance of her published work. As she notes, "I'm pregnant right now with my first child, and I work in the healthcare sector. This research today feels very relevant to my life right now, even though we conducted it five or six years ago."

Published research: Work-Related Factors and Pregnancy Outcomes in Female Surgeons

Malcolm's study, "Work Related Factors and Pregnancy Outcomes in Female Surgeons," examined 451 pregnancies among obstetrician gynecologists in Canada through collaboration with the Society of Obstetrician Gynecologists of Canada. The research investigated both maternal and infant outcomes alongside workplace factors affecting pregnant surgeons.

Key findings revealed concerning workplace realities

The study confirmed existing concerns about long work hours, finding they were associated with adverse outcomes, particularly miscarriage. However, the policy research component yielded the most striking results.

Among the 451 pregnancies studied, only 28% occurred in workplaces with policies for reducing work during pregnancy. This finding highlighted a significant policy gap affecting pregnant healthcare professionals. Even more importantly, the research demonstrated that surgeons working in environments with supportive pregnancy policies were much more likely to reduce their hours during pregnancy.

These findings provide evidence-based support for implementing workplace policies that protect both maternal and infant health outcomes in demanding surgical environments.

Why choose Annals of Surgery Open?

Selecting the appropriate journal requires careful consideration of audience, scope, and editorial focus. Malcolm's decision to submit to Annals of Surgery Open was driven by several strategic factors.

Audience alignment

"We were looking at a surgical population, so a surgical audience makes the most sense," Malcolm explains. The journal's readership of surgical professionals ensured the research would reach practitioners who could implement policy changes based on the findings.

Editorial scope and focus

The journal's educational and historical focus aligned perfectly with the study's policy implications. "While we were doing some clinical work about adverse outcomes, the more meaningful data was on an educational side and a policy side," Malcolm notes. This alignment between research focus and journal scope strengthened the manuscript's appeal to editors and reviewers.

The experience of publishing with Annals of Surgery Open

For early-career researchers, the peer review process can feel intimidating. Malcolm's experience with Annals of Surgery Open demonstrates how constructive feedback can strengthen research and build confidence.

Positive reinforcement and validation

The peer review process provided valuable validation for the research. "We had a lot of really positive feedback and reinforcement," Malcolm recalls. "Several reviewers commented on how valuable the research was, which was very validating."

This positive feedback is particularly important for researchers early in their careers, helping build confidence and motivation to continue contributing to the scientific literature.

Constructive criticism that improved the work

Beyond validation, reviewers provided specific suggestions that strengthened the final publication. The feedback focused on clarity and methodology, particularly around definitions and statistical analysis.

"We had questions about how we defined things, which was really helpful because it forces you to go back into your article and be very clear in how you're explaining your methods," Malcolm explains. This process ensured transparency in methodology and improved the study's reproducibility.

The reviewers also requested statistical reworking, which enhanced the rigor of the analysis and strengthened the evidence supporting the conclusions.

Malcolm's experience with Annals of Surgery Open showcases its key advantages for researchers: a thorough and supportive peer review process that improves manuscripts while encouraging authors and a commitment to transparency in methodology and communication, ensuring studies are clear, replicable, and aligned with best practices in scientific publishing.

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