Aims and Scope
The American Journal of Healthcare Strategy (AJHCS) is a peer-reviewed semi-academic journal dedicated to advancing thought leadership and practical insights within the field of healthcare strategy. Our mission is to provide a platform that bridges academic rigor with real-world application, offering innovative solutions and timely perspectives on the most pressing challenges in healthcare.
We welcome submissions that explore a broad range of topics related to healthcare policy, administration, business strategy, public health, bioethics, and technological advancements. We especially value contributions that offer actionable insights and propose new models for improving healthcare outcomes. Articles may include, but are not limited to:
Healthcare Policy and Reform: Exploring policy changes, regulatory impacts, and the effects of healthcare legislation on systems and populations.
Healthcare Administration and Management: Offering insights into best practices, leadership models, and innovative management strategies in healthcare organizations.
Health Economics and Financial Strategy: Analyzing economic trends, cost management, and financial strategies within healthcare systems.
Public Health and Epidemiology: Discussing the implications of public health trends, disease management, and population health strategies.
Bioethics and Medical Ethics: Addressing ethical considerations in clinical practices, healthcare delivery, and decision-making processes.
Health Technology and Innovation: Covering advancements in digital health, telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and other technologies shaping healthcare delivery.
Workforce Development and Education: Exploring strategies for training the next generation of healthcare professionals and enhancing workforce effectiveness.
AJHCS encourages submissions from healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, administrators, and educators regardless of career stage or academic background. We support a diverse range of research methodologies including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research, as well as case studies, reviews, and expert opinions.
Our commitment to timely, relevant content means that the peer review process is expedited without compromising the quality of submissions. We aim to equip healthcare leaders with the insights and strategies they need to make informed decisions that enhance patient outcomes, organizational efficiency, and overall system performance.
Open Access and Licensing
AJHCS operates under a fully open-access model, providing unrestricted access to our published content. All articles are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY), ensuring broad dissemination while allowing authors to retain copyright.
By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and emphasizing the practical application of research, AJHCS serves as a vital resource for anyone engaged in the transformation and improvement of healthcare systems globally.
Why Publish with The American Journal of Healthcare Strategy (AJHCS)
At AJHCS, we are redefining the traditional boundaries of healthcare publishing. As a semi-academic journal, we strike a balance between the rigor of academic publishing and the flexibility of a more open, inclusive platform. Our innovative approach allows authors greater creative freedom while still upholding the essential standards of peer review and editorial integrity.
1. A Platform for All Voices
We believe that valuable insights come from diverse perspectives. Whether you’re an established expert or an emerging professional, AJHCS welcomes submissions from individuals of all educational backgrounds and career stages. We aim to democratize healthcare strategy discussions, ensuring that all voices can contribute to the conversation.
2. Rigorous Yet Flexible Review
While we maintain a commitment to ethical, factual, and well-supported content, our peer review process is expedited and less stringent than traditional academic journals. We require thorough citations, but we also accept references from non-academic sources, recognizing that real-world healthcare strategy often draws on a broader range of evidence.
3. Up-to-Date, Relevant Content
Healthcare is a rapidly evolving field, and staying current is critical. That’s why we’ve optimized our publication process to deliver timely, relevant content. Our streamlined peer review ensures that your work is published faster, allowing your insights to have an immediate impact on the healthcare community.
4. Ethical and Author-Friendly Publishing
Our core mission is to provide ethical, honest, and valuable information. We support our authors through comprehensive editing and feedback, while still allowing for the flexibility needed to express your unique ideas and perspectives. We are committed to making sure your work reaches its full potential.
5. Broad Reach and Visibility
Publishing with AJHCS places you at the center of a vast network of healthcare professionals, administrators, and thought leaders. Our proactive promotion strategy ensures that your work is shared widely, through our newsletter, digital platforms, and social media, reaching an engaged audience eager for the latest in healthcare strategy.
Editorial Policies
1. Integrity and Accountability
At the American Journal of Healthcare Strategy, we are committed to the highest standards of integrity and accountability. We ensure all content published adheres to rigorous ethical guidelines, and any potential conflicts of interest are fully disclosed and appropriately managed.
2. Objectivity and Transparency
We value transparency in our editorial process. Authors, reviewers, and editors are required to act with fairness and objectivity, ensuring that content is evaluated purely on its merit. We follow a double-blind peer review process to avoid bias.
3. Confidentiality
All submissions are treated with strict confidentiality. Neither the author’s identity nor the reviewers’ will be disclosed until the review process is complete. This ensures the integrity of the peer-review process.
4. Plagiarism Prevention
We have zero tolerance for plagiarism. Authors must ensure that their work is original and properly cites all sources. Any detected instances of plagiarism will result in rejection of the manuscript and may lead to further actions as deemed appropriate by the editorial board.
5. Data Integrity
Authors must provide accurate data and be transparent about methods and analysis. Any manipulation or misrepresentation of data is strictly prohibited. We encourage the submission of datasets to public repositories, wherever applicable, for transparency.
6. Conflict of Interest
Authors, reviewers, and editors must disclose any conflicts of interest that might influence their judgment or the impartiality of the editorial process. Any undisclosed conflicts could result in the rejection of the manuscript.
7. Timeliness
We are committed to providing a timely and efficient review process. Authors can expect initial feedback within 1-2 weeks of submission and final publication within 4-6 weeks, pending any required revisions.
Statement of Ethics
1. Ethical Oversight of Research
The American Journal of Healthcare Strategy follows the ethical standards set forth by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Medical Association’s Declaration of Helsinki. All research involving human subjects must have appropriate institutional review board (IRB) approval, and studies involving animals must comply with ethical treatment standards.
2. Informed Consent
For any research involving human subjects, authors must confirm that informed consent was obtained and appropriately documented. Personal identifiers or sensitive data should not be published unless express consent is given.
3. Non-discrimination
Our journal is committed to providing equal opportunities for all contributors regardless of race, gender, religion, ethnicity, or any other protected characteristic. We promote diversity in our editorial team, authorship, and peer-review process to reflect the global nature of healthcare research.
4. Ethical Advertising and Sponsorship
We follow ethical advertising and sponsorship policies that ensure transparency and respect for our readers. Advertisements and sponsorships must not influence editorial decisions, and all sponsored content will be clearly labeled.
5. Correcting the Record
In the event that significant errors or misrepresentations are discovered in published content, we are committed to correcting the record. This may involve issuing retractions, corrections, or editorial notes to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the journal.
6. Upholding Author Rights
Authors retain the copyright to their work and are free to distribute or reuse their articles under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY). We aim to protect and promote authors’ rights while providing unrestricted access to high-quality research.
7. Ethical Responsibilities of Authors
Authors are expected to uphold the highest ethical standards. They must ensure that their research is conducted in an ethical manner, with all data being presented truthfully. Misrepresentation, manipulation of data, or failure to disclose conflicts of interest will result in rejection and possible sanctions.
Publication Process
- Upon submission, each manuscript undergoes a rigorous peer review by our expert editorial board. Within two weeks of receipt, the editorial team convenes for a comprehensive publications meeting to assess the submission and provide constructive feedback.
- In tandem with our marketing, social media, and digital teams, we ensure that each accepted article receives strategic promotion, maximizing its reach within the healthcare community.
- Once the author submits their revisions, the manuscript enters a secondary peer review process to validate the integrity of the revisions. Upon final approval, the article is assigned a unique Digital Object Identifier (DOI) and scheduled for publication. It will then be circulated across our platform and featured in our newsletters to further amplify its impact.