Peer Review Process
Double‑anonymized · Rigorous · Transparent
Print ISSN: Pending | Online ISSN: Pending | First issue: December 2026
Frontiers in Intelligent Medicine & Health is committed to a rigorous, transparent, and fair peer review process. All submitted manuscripts undergo a double‑anonymized review to ensure the highest academic quality and ethical standards in intelligent medicine, digital health, and clinical informatics.
Key features: Double‑anonymized review · Average 3–4 independent experts per manuscript · 4–6 weeks to first decision · Full ethical oversight (COPE member).
1. Overview of Review Stages
| Stage | Description | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Check | Scope, formatting, ethics compliance, and AI‑assisted plagiarism screening (iThenticate). | 3–5 business days |
| Peer Review | Double‑anonymized review by an average of 3–4 external experts with domain expertise. | 4–6 weeks |
| Editorial Decision | Editor‑in‑Chief makes final decision based on reviewer reports and associate editors’ recommendations. | Within 2 weeks after review |
| Revision & Resubmission | Authors revise and provide a point‑by‑point response; may be sent for additional review. | 30 days (major) / 14 days (minor) |
| Final Production | Copyediting, typesetting, author proofreading, online publication with DOI and CC BY license. | 2–3 weeks after acceptance |
2. Review Type & Principles
This journal uses double‑anonymized peer review. The identities of authors and reviewers are concealed from each other throughout the entire process. Reviewers are selected based on their expertise, publication record, and absence of conflict of interest. On average, each manuscript is evaluated by 3–4 independent reviewers to ensure robust and unbiased assessment.
Reviewers evaluate manuscripts against the following criteria:
- Originality and clinical/technical significance in intelligent medicine and health informatics.
- Soundness of methodology, including AI/ML validation and data governance.
- Clarity, reproducibility, and accessibility of presentation (including code/data sharing policies).
- Relevance to the journal’s scope (digital health, AI diagnostics, wearable sensors, health systems).
- Ethical compliance (informed consent, privacy protection, algorithmic fairness, IRB approval).
3. Possible Decisions
| Decision | Description | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Accept as is | Manuscript meets all criteria without any changes. | Proceed to production. |
| Minor revision | Small corrections or clarifications needed; no re‑review required. | 14 days to submit revised manuscript. |
| Major revision | Substantial changes required; re‑review by original or new reviewers likely. | 30 days to resubmit with detailed response letter. |
| Reject | Manuscript is not suitable for the journal (scope, quality, or ethical issues). | No resubmission allowed; may recommend transfer to a partner journal. |
Ethical safeguards: All submissions are screened for plagiarism (iThenticate) and AI‑generated content disclosure. Any suspected misconduct (data fabrication, citation manipulation, authorship disputes) is investigated following COPE guidelines.
4. Responsibilities of Reviewers
- Treat manuscripts as strictly confidential and not share or use any part before publication.
- Declare any conflicts of interest (financial, institutional, or personal) immediately.
- Provide constructive, respectful, and unbiased feedback that helps authors improve the work.
- Complete reviews within the agreed timeframe (typically 3 weeks; extensions available on request).
- Avoid using AI tools to generate review reports without explicit journal permission.
If you are interested in becoming a reviewer for Frontiers in Intelligent Medicine & Health, please register via our submission system (OJS) or contact the editorial office.
Download Reviewer Guidelines (PDF)
5. Appeals and Complaints
Authors may appeal an editorial decision if they believe a substantial error was made. Appeals should be submitted within 30 days of the decision letter, providing a clear rationale and new evidence (if any). The appeal will be handled by the Editor‑in‑Chief or an independent ombudsperson, and a final decision will be communicated within 4 weeks.
To submit an appeal, email fimh@starnexus.press with the subject line “Appeal – Manuscript ID [XXXX]”.
6. Contact Editorial Office
For questions about the peer review process, reviewer invitations, or special circumstances (e.g., accelerated review for urgent public health research), please contact: