The Meducator seeks to promote interaction in medical education and serve as a meeting place for the global village of medical educators. It aims to provide an outlet for the opinions, communications, literature reviews, tips and original research papers which have a particular interest to health care professionals in emerging countries. The contents will be of interest to learners, teachers and health practitioners with a potential to significantly impact the quality of health care. 

The journal welcomes papers on any aspect of medical education: undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing education, with special emphasis in education of health professionals and practice of medicine in emerging countries. Submission of papers from authors in developing countries is specially encouraged. 
  
Categories of The Meducator 
The Meducator accepts papers in the following categories: 

1. Meducator Review 

This is an invited article based on recently published literature of particular interest to those in emerging countries. We welcome suggestions of topics and nomination of authors for such an article. Authors considering submitting articles within this section are encouraged to contact the Editors during the preparation of their paper to discuss the scope and structure of their review. There are no restrictions to the number of references. 

2. Meducator Research 
 
These papers report major research and studies relevant to medical education and may be up to 3,000 words in length and include up to four tables or figures. We welcome studies that utilize either quantitative or qualitative methods. Typically, these papers are organized using the Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion structure. However, other appropriate structures may be accepted. If accepted for publication, each paper will include comments by the reviewers to stimulate critical thinking and promote interest in educational research. 

Reports of research in progress, reports of papers presented at conferences or at scientific meetings, reports of innovation or change in medical education are also welcomed in this section. Alternative structures may be considered for such reports. 

The submitted communications will be peer reviewed. 

3. Meducator Communications 
 
This section will include Letters to the Editor. Letters may be written in relation to already published articles or on an unrelated medical education topic. Letters are usually 400-500 words. All authors should sign the letter – and provide details of their position, affiliated institution (if applicable) & address. 

4. Meducator Invited Opinion 
 
Here, opinion/s on the theme of the particular issue will be published. This article does not have to be research based, but could be experiential. 

5. Meducator News 
 
News of regional conferences; workshops; new innovations in medical schools and instructional resources will be included in this section. 

6. Meducator Review of Instructional Resources 
 
This section includes reviews of videos, models, charts, CDs and instructional tools available in emerging countries. If you have a resource that you would like reviewed in our journal please contact the Editors directly. 

7. Meducator Student Forum 
 
The views of student readers will be published in this section. The journal would like to encourage student readers to submit their opinion on any topic related to medical education and health care. 

8. Meducator Handbook for Practitioners 
 
This section includes patient education materials and articles promoting continuing medical education in emerging countries. If you have materials that may be of interest to other health professionals please contact the Editors. 

9. Meducator Centerfold  
 
This section includes instructional posters, flowcharts, diagnostic schemes, concept map etc. that could be used for instructional purposes. The journal welcomes the submission of such resources. Please note that the readers are given permission to copy material in this section for educational purposes. 

10. Editorials 
 
Comments from the editors on the theme of the issue will be included here. The section may include invited comments from experts relating to the theme. 

  
Guidelines for Submission 

Authors are encouraged to submit their article as an email attachment or in a floppy diskette for quicker processing. 

Snailmail submission: 
Four copies of manuscripts should be submitted to: 

The Editor, 
The Meducator, 
182 Tuscarora Circle NW 
Calgary Alberta T3L 2B9 Canada 

E-mail submission: 
Attach a copy of the manuscript in Microsoft Word format or rich text format (RTF) to:  kalyani@meducational.com 

Please include a covering letter, signed by all authors. The covering letter should state that the work has not been published and is not being considered for publication elsewhere, and that all the authors meet the Journal's criteria for authorship. Information concerning funding for the work described should be included in the manuscript. The name, address, fax and telephone numbers and e-mail address of the corresponding author must be included in the covering letter and shown on the Title Page of the manuscript (see below). The letter may be mailed to the address given above or faxed. Fax no. (403) 220 9387. 
 
Preparation of Manuscripts 

Papers should be prepared according to the 'Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals'  
Authors are referred to Chambers Guide to Grammar and Usage (1996) for advice on matters of style. Please use active voice, short sentences and clear headings and subheadings in the text. The typescript should be on A4 paper on one side only, double-spaced with a wide margin on either side. Authors will be asked to provide the final version of accepted papers on floppy diskette that should be IBM compatible. 
 
General Advice about the Presentation of Manuscripts 

• Number all pages
• The name and address and telephone and fax numbers of the author to whom correspondence and proofs should be sent should be included on the title page and the covering letter
• Do not use abbreviations
• All scientific units should be expressed in SI units

Main Text 
This should start on a separate page with appropriate subheadings. Wherever possible, both numbers of subjects and percentages should be given. Describe the statistical method if the method is unusual or complex. 

Figures and Illustrations 
When information cannot be suitably expressed in the form of a Table, use Figures. A title is needed for each Figure. Do not duplicate the information given in the text in the form of Figures. 

Tables 
Do not duplicate the information given in the text in the form of Tables. Each Table should have a title. 
 
Acknowledgements 
Make the acknowledgements brief. This section may include source of financial support. 

References 
These should be in the Vancouver style numbered sequentially in the text in superscript. The reference list should be on separate sheets and references should be listed numerically. Authors are responsible for the accuracy of references and should consult the detailed guidance given in the 'Uniform Requirements'. It is the authors' responsibility to ensure that all references are cited and all reference numbers in the text appear in the correct order. 

Keep a copy of the manuscript for reference. An acknowledgement of receipt of the manuscript will be sent by the Journal. Manuscripts rejected for publication will not be returned. Once a paper is accepted the authors are asked to sign a form assigning copyright to Meducational Skills, Tools & Technology Inc. 

Peer Review 
All the papers submitted to The Meducator are read and considered by the Editors. The papers will be sent to at least two independent reviewers. Standardized guidelines are used by reviewers for providing feedback. 

The authors will be notified about the decision within ten weeks of submission of manuscript. Decisions may be a) acceptance as is; b) acceptance subject to revision; and c) rejection with advice. The Journal aims to support all authors and wishes to extend as much help as possible in order to confine decisions to the first two categories. 

Proofs and Offprint 
Proofs will be sent via e-mail as an Acrobat PDF (portable document format) file, along with instructions. 
Acrobat Reader will be required in order to read this file. This software can be downloaded (free of charge) from the Web site:  http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/main.html 
Proofs will be posted if no e-mail address is available. 

Copyright and Photocopying 
© 2001 Meducational Skills, Tools & Technology Inc. Authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use, or the internal or personal use of specific clients, is granted by Meducational Skills, Tools & Technology Inc. for libraries and other users registered with the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) Transactional Reporting Service. This consent does not extend to other kinds of copying, such as copying for general distribution for advertising or promotional purposes, for creating new collective works or for resale. Address special requests to the Editor.