CI Overview

What is a Clinical Inquiry?

Clinical Inquiries are physician-formulated questions that are answered with the best available evidence found in a systematic literature search.

Where are CIs published?

CIs are published in peer-reviewed journals, including American Family Physician and the FPIN journal, Evidence-Based Practice.

What is the maximum number of authors that can write a CI?

Three. Effective January 1, 2024, all newly submitted manuscripts can have no more than three authors.

Are medical librarians required to write a CI?

No. Author teams are now allowed to complete their own systematic literature search using the CI Search Summary Form. An author team's institutional librarian may complete the literature search.

Who can write Clinical Inquiries?

FPIN member programs are invited by the FPIN team to apply for participation in the CI writing project as capacity becomes available. If your program is invited, your Corresponding Authors will be asked to submit their CV and complete an interview with the Editor-in-Chief of the project.

What are the Corresponding Author qualifications?

• Expert level skills in searching the medical literature
• Expert level critical appraisal skills, including an intermediate level knowledge of clinically relevant medical statistics
• Expert level medical writing skills and be detail-oriented and follow instructions appropriately
• A track record of completing work by negotiated deadlines
• Consistently communicates with others in a timely, constructive manner
• Ability to accept constructive feedback from editorial leadership and FPIN staff
• Basic knowledge of word processing and editorial management software requires for the project or willingness to learn. 
• Understanding of the peer review process, including how to deal with differing opinions from multiple expert peer reviewers
• Click here to see the Corresponding Author Expectations

How long does it take to get a CI published?