Review Article

Review articles present a synthesized summary of previously published scholarly works. On the basis of their method or aim, review articles may be categorized as systematic review, scoping review and narrative review.

A. Systematic review:
It answers a well-defined question using systematic methods to conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis of the literature and to synthesize the findings. It may or may not be followed by meta-analysis. We recommend PRISMA guideline to report a systematic review.

Elements: Title, Abstract, Main manuscript (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion)
Word limit: 4000-6000 words
Figures: Maximum 5
Tables: Maximum 5
References: 50-75

B. Scoping review:
It reviews the literature in order to map the evidence available on a particular topic of interest to identify main concepts, understanding and lack thereof. It may be helpful to determine if a systematic review is desirable. We recommend that the authors follow PRISMA for scoping review.

Elements: Title, Abstract, Main manuscript (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, Funding, Competing interests
Word limit: 4000-6000 words
Figures: Maximum 5
Tables: Maximum 5
References: 50-75

C. Narrative review:
It provides an evidence-based broad perspective on a topic but lacks the systematic approach used for a systematic review. We recommend that the authors use the scale for quality assessment of narrative review articles (SANRA) to consider while preparing the manuscript. We suggest the following general structure of a narrative review:
1. Title (identifying it as a narrative review)
For example: Benefits of Good Communication Skills in Health Care Professions: a Narrative Review
2. Abstract: Background, Methods, Results, Conclusion
3. Main Manuscript:
a. Background: Rationale, objective
b. Methods: Search strategy (key words, process), databases or other sources, inclusion and exclusion criteria for the sources, strategy to minimize bias, method or process of analysis and synthesis
c. Results and Discussion: Brief description of the number of resources (articles, books etc.) given by search results and studied, general impression of the quality of evidence, findings, analysis and synthesis, knowledge gaps, limitations of the review
d. Conclusion: Key message, recommendations

Word limit: 4000-6000 words
Figures: Maximum 5
Tables: Maximum 5
References: 50-75