In 2024, many APM authors make outstanding contributions to our journal. Their articles published with us have received very well feedback in the field and stimulate a lot of discussions and new insights among the peers.
Hereby, we would like to highlight some of our outstanding authors who have been making immense efforts in their research fields, with a brief interview of their unique perspective and insightful view as authors.
Outstanding Authors (2024)
Eva Oldenburger, The University Hospitals in Leuven, Belgium
Koji Ishii, Nagasaki University Hospital, Japan
Anna Kitta, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
Alison E. Cress, The University of Maryland, USA
Cindy T. Nguyen, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, USA
Hiroshi Hamada, Tokyo Medical University, Japan
Julia Challinor, The University of California San Francisco, USA
Sara N. Davison, The University of Alberta, Canada
Gudrun Waaler Bjørnelv, The University of Oslo, Norway
Anna L. Westermair, The University Hospitals, Switzerland
Shing Fung Lee, The National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
Sophie Meesters, University Hospital Augsburg, Germany
Takako Ikegami, National Cancer Center Hospital, Japan
Serife Eti, Montefiore Medical Center, USA
María Victoria Callejón-Martínez, The Cudeca Foundation, Spain
Shayan Raeisi Dehkordi, Queen’s University, Canada
Sandy Vuong, Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Centre, Canada
Eriko Narusawa, NHO Takasaki General Medical Center, Japan
Outstanding Author
Eva Oldenburger
Dr. Eva Oldenburger, MD, is a radiation oncologist and palliative care specialist at the University Hospitals in Leuven, Belgium. In her daily practice, she focuses on the treatment of patients with gynecological cancers, skin cancers and (bone) metastases. She is currently finishing her PhD in ePROM implementation after palliative radiotherapy for symptom follow-up. Her areas of interest are treatment modalities for bone metastases as well as communication with patients during their cancer trajectory and integration of palliative care early in the treatment trajectory of patients with cancer. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
From Dr. Oldenburger’s perspective, academic writing is essential for sharing knowledge between colleagues, and so improving daily practices and scientific development. Academic writing allows one to improve their knowledge and expertise in a relatively fast and easy manner, by critically looking at papers written by others and analyzing how and why their ideas/conclusions differ from ones.
Dr. Oldenburger stresses authors should possess a lot of curiosity, enthusiasm and perseverance in order to make their research solid and thorough. On the other hand, authors should also have an ‘ethical antenna’ to make sure that the research they perform is not too burdensome for patients participating in their research and that the benefits outweigh any possible negatives associated with their study. Last but not least, as an author, one needs to be able to write down their complicated research in a clear and comprehensive manner so that others can benefit from the knowledge gained.
“Researching and writing an academic paper is indeed a significant investment of time and effort. Fortunately, I have the possibility to do research in areas that are of particular interest to me. I work as a clinical physician in a tertiary centre where one of my tasks is research and education, so I try to allocate some of this time to my own research. However, my biggest motivator is seeing my research benefit my patients,” Dr. Oldenburger says.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Koji Ishii
Dr. Koji Ishii serves as an Associate Professor at the Anesthesiology and Palliative Care Center at Nagasaki University Hospital, Japan. His research area is cancer pain control, especially malignant psoas syndrome (MPS). Although MPS is considered to be a single disease state, the intensity of pain presents individuality. He would like to focus on the location of the responsible lesion and create a new criterion to support MPS pain control. His recent project is to provide support to the areas where there are limited resources for palliative care, especially islands. He is building a network of palliative care staff between the city and islands to provide support as needed. More information of Dr. Ishii can be found here.
To Dr. Ishii, a good medical paper involves both basic research and clinical research. In any case, a good academic paper is one that is novel and original in terms of clinical research, and that can be quickly returned to patients. He believes that this is a basic research paper that can benefit as many patients as possible.
When it comes to biases in one’s writing, Dr. Ishii stresses that it is important for authors to be honest and take responsibility for their manuscript. To maintain the quality of a manuscript, it is necessary to read many academic papers to learn the adequate method to avoid biases and collaborate with expert collaborators.
“Writing clinical medical papers allows you to use your findings from your patient examinations to benefit patients all over the world, so write them with passion,” Dr. Ishii says.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Anna Kitta
Anna Kitta is pursuing a Ph.D. in Mental Health and Behavioral Medicine at the Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna (AT), and working as a resident in a rural general practice in Erdweg (GER). She holds a B.A. in Social and Cultural Anthropology (University of Vienna, AT) and a M.Sc. in Narrative Medicine (Columbia University, NYC, USA). She aims to provide preventive and evidence-based medicine, alleviate symptoms, and consider the social and psychological well-being of each person. As a qualitative researcher, her focus is on capturing patient perspectives and giving patients a voice in medical research to illuminate individual, social, and cultural aspects of living with illness. Her research interests include medical humanities, palliative care, illness experience, doctor-patient interaction and communication, medical didactics, and social justice in medicine. A list of her research can be found here. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
In Dr. Kitta’s view, a good academic paper addresses a topic that is both interesting and important. She is particularly attracted to papers that manage to formulate a title that communicates the main content or makes one curious to find out more. It is important that the research question is clear, and that the organization is easy to follow and understand. If a paper is concise and easy to read, it will reach a much wider audience and different readers, allowing other scientific teams to build on these findings. In addition, she appreciates the honesty of authors, whether it is publishing negative results, which is very valuable, or being open about limitations of the study or difficulties they encountered during their research and would do differently next time. This helps other researchers not to repeat the same mistakes.
Dr. Kitta stresses that writing up the results of a project can be a lengthy endeavor, as the author has often been working on a topic for many months. In her opinion, it is important to remember the passion that started the project when the author did not know what the results would be and how the data would answer the research questions. This can motivate and remind authors why their content is important to share and why they are writing the manuscript and articulating their findings clearly for the research community. Authors should be aware of potential biases, avoid them, or address them openly. Moreover, at the grassroots level, the most important thing is to plan the research project according to the resources and capabilities of the department and team, and to start with questions that make you curious and are important for the community.
“The scientific world can be a wonderful place to interact with other researchers and provide personal growth, learning, and knowledge generation. I think it is important not to be intimidated by the competitive culture that sometimes prevails. The best results can be achieved through curiosity, teamwork, and a creative approach! So I recommend being kind to each other and to other scientific teams and colleagues and being generous with your own learning and knowledge. As the author and poet Maya Angelou said, ‘When you get, give. When you learn, teach.’ In addition, it is worthwhile to see the ethics committee and approval not as an obstacle, but as a very important and valuable institution that helps to improve projects and prevent harm. Adherence to good scientific practice will lead to the best results for everyone,” Dr. Kitta says.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Alison E. Cress
Dr. Alison E. Cress is a certified palliative care nurse practitioner at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and a student in the inaugural cohort of the Palliative Care PhD program through the University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA. Her research interests include the intersection of psychiatry and pediatric palliative care. She aims to provide education surrounding these topics to existing palliative care providers around the world.
Dr. Alison appreciates clear, concise, and down-to-earth writing. In her view, navigating the academic scene can be challenging due to the many hoops to jump through. This can lead to editing which has the potential to deter some away from their style. As a junior researcher, she reads as much as possible. She thinks that a good academic paper encapsulates a relevant, clinically-driven topic and its effect on a specific population from the honest perspective of a clinician in the field. A good paper provides statistically sound, patient-centered data that spur interest in multidisciplinary collaboration as well as suggestions for easily-implemented intervention for the betterment of patient/family outcomes.
“Clinical expertise is a gift. We get to be with these patients and do this work. It’s only natural to want to share what we learn with others. In the medical world, sharing happens through academic writing. I am motivated by the need of the vulnerable populations whom I am privileged to serve,” Dr. Alison says.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Cindy T. Nguyen
Dr. Cindy Nguyen, PharmD, MPH, MS, BCPS, is a distinguished inpatient and outpatient clinical pharmacy specialist in palliative care at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., USA. Her academic journey includes earning her PharmD and MPH degree from Touro University California, followed by a Post-Graduate Year One Pharmacy Practice Residency at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, California, USA. She further honed her expertise with a Post-Graduate Year Two Pain Management and Palliative Care Residency at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and a Palliative Care Fellowship through the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Dr. Nguyen's exceptional qualifications also include being a Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist and an Associate Professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Her mission is to deliver high-quality, compassionate care for patients with serious illnesses, while also promoting resilience to enhance mental and general well-being and quality of life. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
Dr. Nguyen believes that a good academic paper should address a clinically significant question and contribute to advancing the field by influencing practice, policy, or the scientific community, in addition to having a rigorous research design. The paper should lead the reader through the research process and structure, presented clearly, concisely, and in an organized manner. Addressing previous findings in the literature should fill in gaps and tackle existing challenges or assumptions. Importantly, this paper will undergo a rigorous peer review by experts and specialists who can attest to the study's quality, significance, and validity. These essential elements of a good academic paper adhere to the scientific research community's high standards of integrity and credibility.
Dr. Nguyen thinks authors should consider several factors during the preparation of an academic paper. A thorough literature review is critical to evaluate existing scholarly work. This will help formulate an original and significant research question or problem that may identify or fill in gaps in the current literature. Then, when starting to design their research methods, outlining their research procedures and data analysis will help enhance reproducibility and replicability. This will help the author articulate the research methods clearly and concisely. Lastly, authors should seek feedback and be open to revisions throughout the research process and paper preparation to enhance the quality and impact of their manuscript.
Lastly, Dr. Nguyen would like to say a few words to encourage other academic writers, “Remain curious and collaborative! Curiosity in scientific research can facilitate conversations and discussions with other academic writers, cultivating a collaborative scholarly environment. Sharing scholarly research and findings can further enrich the scientific and academic field and promote professional development. Actively engage in educational forums and discussions to foster a supportive learning environment and create circles with other individuals with similar goals. This collaborative practice will help cultivate a culture that values academic development and advancement in the scientific field.”
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Hiroshi Hamada
Dr. Hiroshi Hamada is a Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and Palliative Medicine Anesthesiology, Palliative Care and Pain Management, Tokyo Medical University, Japan. While investigating the impact of aprepitant, an NK1 receptor antagonist, on hypercoagulability in cancer patients, Dr. Hamada and his team encountered a suspected drug interaction between aprepitant and opioids. More information about him can be found here.
In Dr. Hamada’s view, the key to good academic writing is accurately summarizing information in an easy-to-read manner. Besides, the title that entices readers to read is also an important element. On the other hand, he thinks it is essential for authors to have a passion for sharing information obtained from their research with other researchers. Moreover, being humble, avoiding being self-satisfied, and having the ability to communicate with others are also necessary.
“Writing a paper is important because it allows us to organize our thoughts, and to keep a record of our academic and clinical activities. In addition, we can learn a lot from what reviewers point out during the review process. We often get pointed out of what we didn’t notice while writing our paper,” Dr. Hamada says.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Julia Challinor
Julia Challinor, RN, PhD, MS Education, MS Med Anthropology, Associate Adjunct Professor of Nursing (volunteer) at the University of California San Francisco, USA, collaborates in multiple international pediatric oncology projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. She focuses on promoting and supporting nurses and healthcare professionals in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) to deliver the best care using available resources and to be acknowledged as specialists capable of advanced practice when given appropriate education and training. As a member of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP), she contributes to SIOP’s strategic plan actions including SIOP’s role as a non-state actor in official relations with WHO and WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer. Her areas of research include survivorship, nursing (e.g. workforce issues), and climate change in LMIC. Dr. Challinor also supports non-native English-speaking nurses and other health professionals in peer-reviewed publication manuscript writing.
In Dr. Challionor’s view, some essential elements of a good academic paper include a clear and logical structure, an avoidance of medical or common “street” jargon without explanation, and an up-to-date (no more than 5-7 years old unless seminal) references presented according to the journal guidelines. Additionally, recommendations for future research should not only state that more work is needed to explore the topic, it is better to give specific suggestions that build on the findings presented.
Speaking of the preparation work for manuscript writing, Dr. Challionor provides the following tips. First and foremost, all authors should read the journal’s author guidelines and adhere to them when writing their manuscript. This will significantly improve the chances of being accepted. Pay special attention to references that have been imported into reference managers and not reviewed. She points out often these have errors such as missing authors or incorrect order of the author’s first and last names, inappropriate capitalization of the title, or missing volume, issue, or page numbers. Moreover, reviewers and readers depend on references to judge whether the statement made in the manuscript is supported by the literature. Poor references should reflect badly on the authorship of the paper.
“Academic writing for peer-reviewed journals is not easy. If it was, everyone would do it. It takes support and time to revise and revise a manuscript until you have met the journal requirements and have a strong submission. Have colleagues/friends in your field read your early versions and make suggestions for improvement if needed. It certainly helps to find a mentor with an established track record of successful publications in your field of work. Be respectful of the mentor’s time, responsive to their suggestions and take their advice. Don’t be discouraged if you are rejected by the first journal you submit your manuscript to. Just read the comments from the reviewers and revise them according to what they recommend. Reviewers take a lot of time and thought in writing their responses and are experts in the field. Then, consider an alternative journal and send it a revised version. There is no shame in having a manuscript rejected—it happens to all of us sooner or later. You may find that the first journal you submitted to was not a good fit for your manuscript whereas another journal may welcome it,” Dr. Challionor says.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Sara N. Davison
Dr. Sara Davison is a professor, nephrologist, and bioethicist in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Alberta, Canada. She is a health outcomes researcher and is an international leader in Kidney Supportive Care (KSC) and Conservative Kidney Management (CKM), an active treatment for people with kidney failure who are unlikely to benefit from or have no access to dialysis or transplantation. She is the Director of the KSC Research Group at the University of Alberta and Chairs the International Society of Nephrology’s KSC/CKM Workgroup. She is working to characterize the clinical phenotypes of complex symptoms in kidney failure, identify prognostic metabolomic biomarkers, and develop prediction models for progression and response to various care pathways as foundational steps to advance personalized and precise clinical interventions. Through her strong partnerships with government and international organizations, she is working to build global capacity for accessible, equitable, and sustainable KSC and CKM. Connect with her group on LinkedIn.
In Dr. Davison’s view, a good academic paper addresses an important gap in the literature and communicates a clear message. To her, the best academic papers, are those whose findings can be directly translated into clinical care. The writing also has to be succinct and well organized and the results easily interpretable with biases clearly articulated. She also greatly appreciates authors who incorporate and share more global perspectives that enable researchers and clinicians to better address the inequities that exist across and within regions.
Dr. Davison believes authors need to be able to articulate the relevance of their work. This typically requires a significant amount of time reviewing the literature and positioning their findings to address clear gaps rather than duplicating what is already known. This also requires authors to know their audience and align their work and findings with stakeholder priorities. Authors should also not be frightened to share negative results; these are equally important to move areas of enquiry forward.
“The quote attributed to Edward Livingston Trudeau in the late 19th century ‘To cure sometimes, to relieve often, to comfort always’ continues to inspire me, both in my clinical duties and my research. I focus my research on addressing suffering and aim to provide hope for people living with chronic illnesses and who experience debilitating symptoms. I use the voice of people with lived experience (e.g., patient stories start our meetings, patient videos/testimonials embedded in clinical pathways, extensive patient-partner involvement) to raise awareness of diverse perspectives, empower and motivate my research team, and to keep our research questions and activities aligned with and accountable to patients and their priorities for research and care,” says Dr. Davison.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Gudrun Waaler Bjørnelv
Dr. Gudrun Waaler Bjørnelv is an Associate Professor in health economics at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and a researcher at the University of Oslo. Her research primarily focuses on prioritization in the healthcare sector. In close collaboration with clinicians in different clinical fields, she has conducted a variety of economic evaluations within randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and decision models. As part of the research group Regforsk (Registry Research for Health Care Services), she utilizes methods within causal inference to study how healthcare services impact patient outcomes, particularly in situations where RCTs are not feasible. To do this, she and her team use national registries and large health surveys. Recent projects include examining the consequences of extending liver transplantation eligibility, studying how excess demand for home- and community-based care influences patient outcomes, and analyzing healthcare use and costs at the end of life. She is also increasingly interested in the role of informal caregivers and how they are influenced by and influence the organization of formal care services.
Dr. Bjørnelv thinks the most important element in a good academic writing is a well-formulated and clear research question that has been answered using appropriate data and solid methodology. She adds, “All good research papers should also be able to place their findings in a wider perspective and answer the question ‘So what?’ What does this paper add to the literature and current knowledge?” Further, all these elements need to be communicated in a detailed and transparent manner to enable the reader to make a thorough assessment of the research.
Dr. Bjørnelv believes the above points are very important for authors when preparing a paper. Furthermore, it is crucial to have a conscious understanding of the audience the paper is intended for and to ensure that the level of detail and technicalities included in the paper is appropriate for this audience. In her case, she often writes papers for journals that are primarily read by either health economists or clinicians. While a piece of research could be communicated to both groups, the detail regarding methodology and clinical insights would vary greatly depending on the target audience.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Emma J. Chapman Carole Paley
Dr. Emma J. Chapman is a Senior Research Fellow within the St Gemma's Academic Unit of Palliative Care (AUPC) in Leeds, UK. The AUPC links academic and clinical partners and is located across two sites: at Leeds Institute of Health Sciences at the University of Leeds and St Gemma's Hospice. She has previous experience in laboratory-based cancer research and made the transition to working in palliative care research in 2018. Her current research focuses on enabling effective management of key symptoms such as pain, breathlessness, fatigue and psychological distress in people living with advanced disease. She has an interest in evidence synthesis and data supporting clinical guidelines for symptom management. Her other research interests include the partnerships between patients, families, and multidisciplinary healthcare professionals.
Dr. Carole Paley was originally a sports scientist and qualified as a physiotherapist in 1996, eventually becoming a musculoskeletal specialist. In 2007, she was appointed Head of Research at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust. During her time in the NHS, she completed her PhD, which focused on acupuncture for cancer-induced bone pain. In 2022, she was appointed as a Research Fellow in Palliative Care at the University of Leeds. During the past 13 years, she has published papers and Cochrane systematic reviews exploring non-pharmaceutical approaches to pain management, including acupuncture, TENS and mindfulness. More recently, she has been exploring how Medieval attitudes and approaches to pain and end-of-life care can inform modern health care. This has led to two recent publications, including her latest paper in The Annals of Palliative Medicine. She is currently working on the RESOLVE-i study investigating mindful breathing interventions to help with distress and symptom control in palliative care.
APM: What do you regard as a good academic paper?
Dr. Chapman: The purpose of academic papers is to share knowledge. So, for me, a good academic paper changes or expands how you view a topic. This may be adding complexity and depth to your understanding, providing supporting evidence for something you already thought you knew or even changing your perspective entirely.
Dr. Paley: I regard a good academic paper as one that is well-structured and organized. It should set out the problem or issue to be discussed and set out arguments and findings in a logical manner. The author should show a thorough understanding of the subject and an ability to synthesize information and reach conclusions backed up by evidence from the literature. The ability to write concisely and clearly in a way that is understandable to the reader is essential.
APM: How to avoid biases in one’s writing?
Dr. Chapman: Bias is allowing your personal opinions to influence your judgment, so I think it is useful to acknowledge that we all have an opinion and a position from which we write. This will be shaped by evidence plus our previous experience, training, those we work with, and often the overarching narrative in the field. I think the key thing is reflecting upon and being transparent in our position as authors. Another important step is being mindful of how you form your viewpoint, critically appraising the work of others, and being open to engaging with work that is not in agreement with your academic or personal position. Exploring why this may be can lead to useful insights.
Dr. Paley: Avoiding bias in academic writing requires a thorough understanding and synthesis of the available literature within the topic area. This requires good individual skills in searching literature and online databases. The ability to present arguments and consider your topic from different points of view, without making generalizations, is important. All assertions must be backed up by evidence and the evidence used should be robust. Writers should be prepared to say that their hypotheses are not supported by the evidence, as this is as important as presenting positive results.
APM: Would you like to say a few words to encourage other academic writers who have been devoting themselves to advancing scientific progress?
Dr. Chapman: It seems obvious but it is important to work on and write about a topic that matters to patients, carers, and healthcare professionals. If you believe in the value of your work and the potential it has to have a real-life impact, then it will be much easier to convince editors, peer reviewers, and ultimately the readers. Getting published can be a tough process often requiring rejections and cycles of feedback and amendments. You need to be open to embracing feedback as an opportunity to improve your work and willing to consider different viewpoints.
Dr. Paley: It is both important and fulfilling to write and publish your own research. This contributes to the overall body of knowledge in your own subject area and also helps stimulate further academic inquiry and research in the same field, even if your findings are not what you had expected.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Anna L. Westermair
Anna L. Westermair, MD, is a clinical ethicist and PostDoc in the Clinical Ethics Unit at the University Hospitals in Basel, Switzerland. She studied medicine at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, and at Paris Descartes University, France, and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Hagen, Germany. Dr. Westermair has extensive clinical experience and is board-certified in psychosomatic medicine, psychotherapy, psychooncology, and palliative care. Recently, she successfully defended her PhD on ethical challenges in anorexia nervosa at the Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland. Her research interests lie at the intersection of mental healthcare, palliative care, and clinical ethics. Current projects focus on end-of-life care for persons with anorexia nervosa and the concept of futility in mental healthcare.
Dr. Westermair believes academic writing is at the heart of science – science would not exist without writing. Without writing up the experiments, concepts, and studies, authors would only have data. However, data alone is not informative. It needs to be interpreted and put into context. She finds that a productive writing process helps her structure her own thoughts and improve their coherence. In addition, writing (and publishing) makes authors’ research accessible and thus useful for others. She adds that if authors did not write up their research, they could not build upon the research that has already been done. Thus, there would be no progress in science, just endless repetition.
Dr. Westermair invested quite some time in developing expertise in systematic literature search methods. Also, she makes a point of collaborating with colleagues who have a different background – people from other countries, with different academic backgrounds, or from other stakeholder groups (such as persons with lived experience). This can also mean asking a good colleague to pre-review a manuscript before she submits it to a journal. She believes good colleagues will tell honestly which parts of the manuscript are weak, what questions the author failed to address, or what strand of research one forgot to incorporate.
“At the risk of sounding cheesy, I do hope that my work will contribute to improving patient care in the long term, particularly for persons with severe and persistent mental illness. I believe that palliative approaches to care hold great potential for serving this vulnerable group better, and I am glad to be given the opportunity to explore this in my research. In the short term, I am always happy to receive feedback on my work – a thoughtful question, an email, or somebody engaging me in a discussion at a conference. Of course, I enjoy positive feedback, but it’s the so-called negative feedback that helps me improve my thinking and my research further, so that is what I benefit from most,” says Dr. Westermair.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Shing Fung Lee
Dr. Shing Fung Lee, FRCR, is a radiation oncologist at the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore. His research focuses on optimizing the integration of radiotherapy with systemic therapies, including conventional chemotherapy and novel targeted agents, in the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies, lymphoma, and central nervous system cancers. He is also deeply engaged in developing new radiotherapy techniques and regimens, with a particular interest in evaluating the effects of radiation on normal tissues. His current projects include investigating new palliative radiotherapy dose-fractionation schedules for advanced cancer patients and studying the impact of treatment on quality of life and treatment-related toxicities to improve patient outcomes. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
In Dr. Lee’s view, academic writing is crucial for advancing the understanding of cancer treatment and improving patient outcomes in the field of radiation oncology. It allows for the systematic documentation and dissemination of research findings, including new techniques, technologies, and treatment protocols. Academic writing in radiation oncology not only contributes to the global body of knowledge but also facilitates the exchange of ideas among clinicians, researchers, and educators. This exchange is vital for refining and validating treatment approaches, ensuring that patients benefit from the most up-to-date and evidence-based care. The importance of academic writing lies in its ability to drive continuous innovation, shape clinical guidelines, and ultimately enhance the quality of life for cancer patients.
Dr. Lee believes authors should possess several key qualities to contribute effectively to academic writing. Integrity is paramount, as the research they conduct directly impacts patient care. An author must be committed to ethical research practices and transparent reporting. Precision is also essential, given the technical nature of radiation oncology; clear and accurate communication of complex treatment protocols and outcomes is crucial. Critical thinking and analytical skills are necessary for interpreting data and making informed conclusions that can influence clinical practice. Furthermore, an author should be collaborative, as interdisciplinary cooperation is often required to address the multifaceted challenges in oncology. Lastly, resilience is important, as the path from research to publication can be demanding, yet it is vital for advancing the field.
Even though the burden of being a doctor is heavy, Dr. Lee says, “In radiation oncology, where the demands of patient care are high, finding time to write papers requires strategic planning and discipline. I allocate time by integrating writing into my daily schedule, often during early mornings or late evenings when clinical responsibilities are lighter. I also make use of short breaks during the day to review literature or draft sections of a manuscript. Recognizing the collaborative nature of radiation oncology, I often work closely with colleagues to share the writing load, which helps in managing time more efficiently. Importantly, I view academic writing as an integral part of my role in improving cancer treatment. This perspective motivates me to prioritize writing, even amidst the busy schedule of clinical duties and research activities.”
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Sophie Meesters
Dr. Sophie Meesters is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Augsburg. Currently, she is engaged in the process of establishing the recently established chair of Palliative Medicine. In her research, she is primarily concerned with health services research, using implementation science and public health approaches. Previously, she was involved in research projects on sedation in palliative care and optimization of care in the dying phase in hospitals outside specialized palliative care and Caring Communities. She thinks it is really valuable to integrate interdisciplinary perspectives as well as the views of patients and the public into research. She hopes to contribute to her research to bring death, dying, and bereavement back into society, with the aim of ensuring that affected people receive appropriate care and support tailored to their needs. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
Dr. Meesters thinks academic writing plays a crucial role in science by facilitating the communication of research findings, ideas, and theories within the scientific community. It ensures that research is documented, peer-reviewed, and disseminated. However, academic writing should not be the only method for disseminating research results. It is essential to find other ways, such as training, leaflets, or websites, to ensure that research findings reach the scientific community, practitioners, and the public. The aim should be to make findings accessible and useful to those who can apply them to practice.
In Dr. Meesters’s view, the process of knowledge production in science is indeed incredibly fast-paced and can be overwhelming. To manage this, she regularly schedules time to read the latest literature, especially during ongoing research projects. Additionally, exchanging ideas with other researchers is crucial. Conferences, training sessions, and collaborations, such as working groups on specific topics, provide good opportunities for this. She thinks the creative process of developing ideas and solutions together is one of the most rewarding aspects of working in science.
“It is certainly helpful to set dedicated time slots for uninterrupted writing, but on a busy day, that is not always feasible. For me, working in a collaborative team where ideas can be exchanged and critical feedback is given is essential. Setting regular team meetings to discuss progress has always been beneficial. These meetings ensure that writing is prioritized in daily routines and prevent the process from dragging on indefinitely. This structured approach helps me to keep the writing process on track,” says Dr. Meesters.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Takako Ikegami
Dr. Takako Ikegami entered Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University Graduate School of Medicine in 2020, where she researched the relationship between malignancy, sarcopenia, and cachexia, and received a PhD in 2023. Now, she belongs to the Department of Palliative Medicine of the National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, and the 2nd Department of Internal Medicine of Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University. Her research area is cancer pain, especially opioid refractory pain, and abdominal symptoms including malignant ascites, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. In addition, she recently focuses on Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) patients with cancer to understand the unique distress and challenges faced by these patients using the screening tool she developed, aiming to alleviate their suffering.
By writing and publishing the research in the form of papers, Dr. Ikegami believes authors can provide evidence to researchers and clinicians around the world that will lead to improvements in the quality of medical care.
In Dr. Ikegami’s view, it is imperative to employ a comprehensive array of sources, encompassing both the most ancient and the most contemporary ones, in order to incorporate the latest findings. In the event of a change, it is essential to integrate the findings, taking into account the rationale behind the rejection of the previous hypothesis. When selecting research papers, the outcome is undoubtedly a crucial consideration. She also assesses the trial design and scale. It is also vital to engage in this process with a team of individuals, as it is often beneficial to gain diverse perspectives through discussion.
Seeing the prevalence of research data sharing in recent years, Dr. Ikegami shares, “I think authors must share their research data. The completion of a single piece of research is a significant undertaking that requires a considerable investment of time and effort. The process of assembling the findings into a coherent and well-structured paper is also a time-consuming task. Furthermore, the number of individuals engaged in a specific area of medical research is relatively limited. It is therefore our contention that the dissemination of the latest findings among researchers will facilitate the most rapid development of medicine as a whole world.”
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Serife Eti
Dr. Serife Eti is the Director of the Palliative Medicine Program at Montefiore Medical Center and a Professor at the Department of Family and Social Medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She has completed training in Family Medicine, Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology, Pain Medicine, and Palliative Care. She is also the Director of the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship Training Program. Her research interests focus on quality assessment and performance improvement in palliative care, and outcomes of integration of palliative care in acute care settings with a particular emphasis on disease-based palliative care for conditions such as cancer and advanced heart failure. She has mentored numerous quality improvement projects, developed educational curriculums, and authored book chapters and research articles on outcomes in palliative care, and clinical pharmacology.
Dr. Eti thinks academic writing plays a crucial role in the field of medicine, including palliative care, for several reasons. Academic writing fosters collaboration among healthcare professionals by creating a shared knowledge base. It enables clinicians, researchers, and educators in palliative care to engage in dialogue, share experiences, and collectively improve care models. This community aspect is especially important in interdisciplinary fields like palliative care, where holistic approaches require input from various specialties. The platform to influence policy, shape educational curricula, and advocate for better resources and care models is not possible without the contributions of academic research. Without a robust body of academic work, the ability to educate and train others in the nuances of palliative care would be significantly hindered.
In Dr. Eti’s view, critical academic writing is a skill that can be learned and requires several key strategies. First, engaging with multiple perspectives is essential. This involves reading broadly, comparing methodologies, and asking critical questions to assess strengths, weaknesses, and biases. Identifying gaps in the literature highlights overlooked areas or shortcomings in existing research. Supporting claims with evidence is fundamental, and evaluating the quality of that evidence ensures a well-supported argument. Being open to counterarguments is also important, as addressing opposing views strengthens one’s position. Finally, maintaining a balanced, objective tone ensures professionalism and credibility in one’s analysis.
“I began learning how to conduct research and document findings during medical school. However, mastering academic writing took more time and was fostered by the guidance of a great mentor. My most valuable learning experience in research came during my fellowship in Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology. Under the mentorship of Dr. Marcus Reidenberg, then Director of Clinical Pharmacology at Cornell Medical Center and editor of the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, I gained a deep understanding of how to analyze and design research. This process significantly refined my academic writing skills. Together, we published two articles, but the knowledge I gained from him has remained with me throughout my career. I will always remember Dr. Reidenberg with deep appreciation and respect. The mentorship is crucial in helping junior researchers to develop strong academic writing skills,” says Dr. Eti.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
María Victoria Callejón-Martínez
Dr. María Victoria Callejón-Martínez has worked as a Palliative Care doctor at the Cudeca Foundation since 2013. Working at Cudeca has also allowed her to participate in the training of health professionals, and to take part in some research programs. She is currently working on her PhD thesis on the validation and cultural adaptation for Spain of the Serious Illness Conversation Guide, as part of a larger project to implement the Serious Illness Conversation Program, in collaboration with the International Collaborative for Best Care for the Dying Person. Her purpose is to provide Spanish healthcare professionals with a tool to improve communication with this group of patients.
APM: What role does academic writing play in science?
Dr. Callejón-Martínez: Academic writing is a fundamental tool for the development of research. I consider it the basis for the dissemination of knowledge. Throughout my career, it has been a fundamental part of my daily work, helping me to learn, to question myself, and to find solutions for my patients' conditions. In other words, it is helpful to synthesize information on a topic and see it as a whole. This can reveal missing gaps and open up new research and improvements in clinical practice. Academic writing is also an important tool for the training of health professionals in palliative care. I always provide my students with scientific articles in my classes to help them better understand the needs and particularities of patients in this phase of their lives. Although the training of resident doctors is usually focused on curing patients, in palliative care, there comes a time when active treatments have to be interrupted and the focus is more than usual on the quality of life of the patient. Reading articles and books on the subject and learning from the experience of other palliative care professionals helps them not only to make the transition to this different paradigm but also to develop necessary skills such as emotional management and empathy.
APM: Science advances rapidly day by day. How do you ensure your writing is up-to-date and can give new insights into the field of research?
Dr. Callejón-Martínez: Throughout my career, I have tried to stay up to date to ensure the best care for my patients and their families. Searching scientific databases, keeping up to date with the latest publications in specialized journals, or attending scientific congresses or conferences to learn or share ideas with other experts allows me to keep up to date, which in turn is very useful in my research activity. When I am faced with a new article, the first step to follow is the literature review, which I consider key to understanding the current state of the subject and identifying possible improvements or needs in the field to be addressed. It is at this stage that curiosity and new ideas arise. Participating in research groups dealing with the same topic helps me understand if I am on the right track and if I can contribute something new. Finally, the collaboration of other colleagues is fundamental to helping me understand the importance and relevance of the research.
APM: The burden of being a scientist/doctor is heavy. How do you allocate time to write papers?
Dr. Callejón-Martínez: I work as a palliative care physician full time and simultaneously I am doing my PhD part-time. I work both in the hospital and at home visiting patients and their families. The ordinary working day is from Monday to Friday. In addition to this, I also teach. For years, I have been involved in the training of resident doctors and Master's students. Although the workday is often very intense due to the complexity of the cases, I can sometimes find the energy to write in the afternoon, but most of my writing takes place during the weekend mornings when my head is clearer. Sometimes I am able to write for hours, enjoying the work and the result, while other times I can only do it for a shorter period. It is all part of the process. I find scientific writing a stimulating activity, as it helps me to articulate and structure my thoughts and feelings. When I don't know how to move forward, I find ideas and inspiration when I walk with my dog on the beach. The sea is a great support, but my main motivation to keep writing is to share my ideas and knowledge with others, so I hope to continue to do so for a long time.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Shayan Raeisi Dehkordi
Shayan Raeisi Dehkordi is an Honours Health Sciences student at Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada. As a research assistant in the Department of Cardiology and Diagnostic Radiology, he explores the application of novel biomedical imaging techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of varying diseases, including fibromatosis and cancer. Whilst working with the Sunnybrook Research Institute, especially with Dr. Muna Al-Khaifi, he conducts research on breast cancer survivorship and palliative care. Their current research delves into the disparities in breast cancer diagnosis, and treatment, and examines how health policies can be refined to improve outcomes in patient care. He enjoys focusing his research on systematic reviews and original articles, to explore gaps in the current body of literature. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
Shayan thinks academic writing is particularly important as it provides an opportunity for professionals from all around the world to collaborate with one another, on improving current practices and guidelines. This collaborative exchange is crucial in fields such as healthcare and medicine, where academic writing plays a role in driving evidence-based advancements that improve patient care, quality of life, and outcomes. Additionally, academic writing provides healthcare professionals an opportunity to be analytical of their experience, and potentially identify gaps in patient care that require further studying.
Shayan believes a piece of literature is critical when it considers multiple perspectives, questions assumptions, and supports claims with evidence. It is crucial that one’s academic writing considers all viewpoints in a situation, to provide a holistic and inclusive analysis of all that are affected by the given problem. More importantly, critical writing should strive to identify previous assumptions in literature, and thoroughly describe the positive and negative impacts of these assumptions on the conclusions. This not only includes addressing biases present in other pieces of literature but also being mindful of biases that arise in one’s own writing and experimentation.
“I recall a time when I was working on a challenging manuscript that seemed beyond my expertise and level of knowledge. I decided to share my draft with a colleague from another country to ask for their guidance and help, and within hours they emailed me their thoughtful feedback. This experience was a powerful reminder that curiosity and inquisitiveness open the door to collaboration and help us overcome barriers in learning,” says Shayan.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Sandy Vuong
Sandy Vuong is a Canadian Certified Physician Assistant (CCPA) in Breast Medical Oncology at Sunnybrook’s Odette Cancer Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is also the patient navigator for the PYNK Program, dedicated to supporting young women with breast cancer. She spent her early career in surgical gynecologic oncology where she developed a deep understanding of the intricacies of cancer and its treatment impacts on female patients. Throughout her journey in oncology, she discovered a passion for cancer education and prevention. Working in PYNK has allowed her to collaborate with a diverse range of healthcare professionals and devote the necessary time to guide patients in understanding their diagnosis, and treatment plan, to make their journey less intimidating. Passionate about improving patient outcomes, she is committed to bridging the gap between clinical practice and research, ensuring that patients receive comprehensive, compassionate care throughout their journey.
Sandy thinks academic writing is essential in science as it serves as a means of communication among researchers, clinicians, and the broader community. It allows for the dissemination of findings and promotes knowledge sharing, which can lead to advancements in practice and policy. As a Physician Assistant (PA), her article aims to help bridge clinical practice and research, providing insights that might not be commonly addressed in the field. She hopes it inspires the development of patient programs that support individuals during the vulnerable stages of cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
To ensure that her writing reflects the latest advancements, Sandy seeks out recent studies, guidelines, and reviews relevant to her topic. Engaging with professional networks and attending conferences also keep her informed about emerging trends and discussions in the field.
“My motivation stems from a passion to raise awareness about patient navigation education and support. Writing this article was a personal goal that allowed me to reflect on my experiences as a clinician. Knowing that my work could potentially impact patient care and inform fellow practitioners inspired me to engage in writing this article, despite the time and effort required! While I may not write frequently, this experience has been invaluable for my professional growth and understanding of the research process,” says Sandy.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)
Eriko Narusawa
Dr. Eriko Narusawa is affiliated with the Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery at NHO Takasaki General Medical Center. Her research areas include quality of life of breast cancer patients and molecular morphological features of breast cancer. Her recent project is a patient satisfaction survey for a new drug.
Dr. Narusawa believes it is important for authors to choose an appropriate design (e.g., randomized controlled trial, observational study, meta-analysis, etc.) depending on the purpose of the study. She thinks critical examination of the results obtained from the research makes the paper more meaningful, and she hopes authors can make good connections and promote their research.
(by Sasa Zhu, Brad Li)