The field of medical science is enormous and it can sometimes be overwhelming to find the top medical journals for getting published.
Research has become such a fast-paced and competitive environment that rapid publication of experimental findings is necessary.
Choosing the wrong medical journal can lead to many months of lost time if the submission is rejected or unseen by the vast majority of your audience.
The purpose of this massive list of academic medical journals is to help scientists, doctors, researchers and companies get published quickly.
Many of these have quick review times, electronic publication, good acceptance rates and lower impact factors.
Journals with higher impact factors often do not have to boast quick publication times because they have a constant flow of quality submissions.
However, the desire to spread new knowledge promptly is gaining more support and even high impact journals are beginning to offer faster publication options.
Disclaimer: The values listed in this article for publication time and acceptance rate are approximate ranges based on external reviews of the best medical journals in science. Although, our findings may not accurately reflect an individual experience or actual averages unless stated on the journal’s website.
1. Journal of Clinical Medicine
Approx. Time to Publication: 1 month
Acceptance rate: —
Impact factor: 2.046 (2018)
Open Access: Yes
The Journal of Clinical Medicine publishes articles for advanced health care practices and general medical research.
It focuses on high visibility, rapid publication and thorough peer-review.
2. Experimental Physiology
Approx. Time to Publication: 1 month
Acceptance rate: ~29%
Impact factor: 2.624 (2018)
Open Access: Optional
Experimental Physiology focuses on publishing scientific articles on the topics of homeostatic and adaptive health responses as well as pathophysiological mechanisms of disease.
With one of the fastest average times to online publication, this journal is a great option for articles matching the medical journal’s focus.
3. Methods and Applications in Fluorescence
Approx. Time to Publication: 1-2 months
Acceptance rate: —
Impact factor: 2.940 (2018)
Open Access: Optional
Methods and Applications in Fluorescence is a renown journal that aims to publish articles on novel developments in fluorescence spectroscopy, imaging, microscopy, fluorescent probes, labels and nanomaterials.
They utilize a single-blind peer review process for quick publication and quality review.
4. International Journal of Nanomedicine
Approx. Time to Publication: 1-2 months
Acceptance rate: 80%
Impact factor: 4.471 (2018)
Open Access: Yes
The International Journal of Nanomedicine has a very quick publication timeline and a high acceptance rate. This medical journal covers a large range of topics in the field of nanomedicine.
This academic journal accepts all applications of nanotechnology but is focused mainly:
- Drug delivery
- Biosensors
- Regenerative nanomedicine
- Nanodiagnostics
- Nanoinformatics
- Nanotoxicity.
5. Journal of Physiology
Approx. Time to Publication: 1.5 months
Acceptance rate: ~25%
Impact factor: 4.950 (2018)
Open Access: Optional
The Journal of Physiology publishes research across all areas of physiology and pathophysiology.
They are most interested in publishing articles with a clinical or translational focus, new principles or mechanisms, lower vertebrate of invertebrate models and theoretical computational models.
6. Glia
Approx. Time to Publication: 1-2 months
Acceptance rate: ~75%
Impact factor: 5.829 (2018)
Open Access: Optional
Glia is the number one journal for glia research and publishes manuscripts that provide insights into the aspects of glial structure and function.
Accepted manuscripts are published online promptly through Early View for rapid publication.
7. Vision
Approx. Time to Publication: 1-2 months
Acceptance rate: 70%
Impact factor: —
Open Access: Yes
Vision is an international journal that publishes a wide range of articles within eye research. The journal was first launched in 2017 and does not have an impact factor score yet.
With no page length minimum or maximum and a quick acceptance time, this top academic journal is a great option for researchers in ophthalmology looking for a fast publication.
8. Physiological Reports
Approx. Time to Publication: 1-2 months
Acceptance rate: —
Impact factor: 2.130 (2019)
Open Access: Yes
Physiological Reports is an open access journal that publishes articles from basic and translational physiology and closely related fields. The journal aims to publish all deserving work and often accepts referred rejected articles from supporter journals.
9. Journal of International Medicinal Research
Approx. Time to Publication: 1-2 months
Acceptance rate: ~60%
Impact factor: 1.351 (2018)
Open Access: Yes
The Journal of International Medicinal Research publishes original research of clinical and preclinical manuscripts as well as reviews, meta-analyses, pilot studies and case reports. They focus on rapid peer review, rapid publication and broad distribution of research.
10. Molecules
Approx. Time to Publication: 1-2 months
Acceptance rate: ~60%
Impact factor: 3.060 (2018)
Open Access: Yes
Molecules is an international journal that focuses on chemistry and is published semi-monthly. Along with being open access, Molecules also has expanded indexing and no restrictions on article length or extra charges for color images. The journal has a somewhat larger scope then others on this list with the fastest publication time and reviews articles in most biological and chemical fields as long as there is a focus on molecular properties or interactions.
11. eLife
Approx. Time to Publication: 1-2 months
Acceptance rate: ~50% (no set rate)
Impact factor: 6.830 (2019)
Open Access: Yes
eLife is a non-profit publisher of articles across many fields in science and technology.
This is one of the best journals for acceptance rates. ELife’s main goal is to promote communication in research by reducing the number of revision rounds.
Requesting more data only if they are essential and providing the opportunity for authors to share a preprinted version of a submitted article to the online server, bioRxiv, while the manuscript is under review.
This allows the research to be available much quicker than standard publications. eLife also does not have a set number or rate for accepted papers and therefore judges each article independently without other constraints.
12. RMD Open
Approx. Time to Publication: 1-2 months
Acceptance rate: 39%
Impact factor: 3.440 (2018)
Open Access: Yes
RMD Open publishes original research covering musculoskeletal disorders, rheumatism and connective tissue disease. The journal focuses on small studies and clinical cases. RMD Open has a high acceptance rate and a quick publication time but is limited by a small research focus.
13. Journal of Neuroscience
Approx. Time to Publication: 1-2 months
Acceptance rate: ~25%
Impact factor: 6.074 (2018)
Open Access: Optional
The Journal of Neuroscience is the official journal of Society for Neuroscience and publishes articles in any neuroscience related discipline.
Among their core values are scientific rigor, prompt publication and constructive peer review. This medical journal is open to all manuscripts in the vast field of neuroscience and has a very quick review process.
14. Journal of Experimental Biology
Approx. Time to Publication: 2 months
Acceptance rate: ~80%
Impact factor: 3.017 (2018)
Open Access: Optional
JEB is the leading biology journal of comparative animal physiology that seeks to publish manuscripts with a novel, mechanistic and hypothesis driven experimental design.
The academic publication is free with this journal but to have your paper published with open access has a fee.
15. eNeuro
Approx. Time to Publication: 2 months
Acceptance rate: ~80%
Impact factor: 3.460 (2019)
Open Access: Yes
eNeuro’s mission is to promote science that aids to the understanding of the nervous system which may fall short of the criteria required for the Journal of Neuroscience.
This includes manuscripts of all length describing new methodologies, novel observations without a clear mechanistic pathway or negative results within the field of neuroscience.
16. Neuropharmacology
Approx. Time to Publication: 2 months
Acceptance rate: 32%
Impact factor: 4.367 (2019)
Open Access: Optional
Neuropharmacology focuses on the impacts of “chemical agents on neurobiological processes”. This top journal focuses mainly on research using mammalian species but does not typically publish clinical research.
Even though the scope of this academic journal is relatively specific, prompt publication and a fair acceptance rate make this a good option for articles in this field.
17. Molecular Cancer Research
Approx. Time to Publication: 2 months
Acceptance rate: —
Impact factor: 4.484 (2018)
Open Access: Optional
The scope of Molecular Cancer Research focuses on basic research with a broad reach within the cancer field.
More specifically the journal is interested in mechanistic pathways of cancer risk, development or progression. This academic journal also has an “OnlineFirst” program that publishes electronic articles promptly after peer review but before copyediting to promote fast manuscript release.
18. Communications Biology
Approx. Time to Publication: 2-3 months
Acceptance rate: ~80%
Impact factor: —
Open Access: Yes
Communications Biology is from the Nature family but was launched recently in 2018. The journal will review a research manuscript from any field of biology.
Since they are a relatively new journal, their acceptance rate is remains high while maintaining a quick timeline for publication.
19. Physiology and Behavior
Approx. Time to Publication: 2-3 months
Acceptance rate: 55%
Impact factor: 2.635 (2018)
Open Access: Optional
Physiology and Behavior is focused on the causal mechanisms of behavior and is particularly interested in behavioral and cognitive neuroscience.
20. Cell Chemical Biology
Approx. Time to Publication: 2-3 months
Acceptance rate: —
Impact factor: 3.15 (2019)
Open Access: Optional
Cell Chemical Biology reviews a wide variety of manuscripts but encourages submissions that provide conceptual advancement to a subject that has a general or broad interest to both chemists and biologists.
21. Journal of Hypertension
Approx. Time to Publication: 2-3 months
Acceptance rate: —
Impact factor: 4.209 (2019)
Open Access: Yes
The Journal of Hypertension is a very focused journal with a limited scope.
However, the medical journal has a “commitment to rapid publication” which allows for fast completion times for articles following under this field.
22. PLOS Genetics
Approx. Time to Publication: 2-3 months
Acceptance rate: ~42%
Impact factor: 5.030 (2019)
Open Access: Yes
PLOS Genetics is multidisciplinary and publishes manuscripts from every field of biology by maintaining the common link of genetic findings.
This top journal has a wide variety of article types but focuses on originality, importance, broad interests, rigorous study and strong evidence as the criteria for publication.
A fast publication timeline and nearly 50% acceptance rate makes this journal a candidate for strong consideration for manuscript submission.
23. Oncogenesis
Approx. Time to Publication: 2-3 months
Acceptance rate: —
Impact factor: 5.995 (2018)
Open Access: Yes
Oncogenesis is an open access journal that seeks to explore the molecular basis of cancer and malignant change. The quick publication time of this journal makes it a great option for cancer research.
24. mBio
Approx. Time to Publication: 2-3 months
Acceptance rate: ~50%Ž
Impact factor: 6.500 (2019)
Open Access: Yes
mBio accepts all manuscripts that relate to microbiology and similar fields for rapid publication.
The Mbio journal accepts the following types of manuscripts on Microbiology:
- Original research (~5000 words),
- Mini-reviews (~6000 words),
- Opinions (~2500 words),
- Perspectives (~2000 words),
- Observations (~1200 words)
- Commentaries (~1000 words).
25. Journal of Cell Biology
Approx. Time to Publication: 2-3 months
Acceptance rate: 33%
Impact factor: 8.891 (2019)
Open Access: Optional
The Journal of Cell Biology accepts articles from many different subfields.
They are focused mostly on the research topic of cell biology and will accept research in this field without requiring any specific type of experimental approach.
The main criteria for journal publication are novel, significant and interesting findings.
26. Journal of Anatomy
Approx. Time to Publication: 3 months
Acceptance rate: —
Impact factor: 2.638 (2018)
Open Access: Optional
The Journal of Anatomy focuses on exploring the field through analyzing structure, function, development and evolution.
Special focus is given to articles using modern imaging techniques with clear relevance to the anatomical community.
27. Mobile DNA
Approx. Time to Publication: 3 months
Acceptance rate: —
Impact factor: 3.630 (2018)
Open Access: Yes
Mobile DNA aims to publish novel research into the DNA rearrangement of organisms and the utility of mobile genetic elements.
Although somewhat limited in scope, Mobile DNA maintains a fairly quick revision time and open access status for prompt publication.
28. Scientific Reports
Approx. Time to Publication: 3 months
Acceptance rate: 56%
Impact factor: 4.011 (2018)
Open Access: Yes
Scientific Reports is open to research from natural and clinical sciences including:
- Physical sciences
- Earth and environmental sciences
- Biological sciences
- Health sciences.
This journal is from the same publishing group as Nature and focuses on quick publications that are easily discovered by promoting open access and PubMed indexing.
29. PLOS Pathogens
Approx. Time to Publication: 3 months
Acceptance rate: ~50%
Impact factor: 6.463 (2019)
Open Access: Yes
PLOS Pathogens is an open access journal focused on:
- Bacterial
- Fungal
- Parasitic
- Viral
- Prion infections and how they interact with their host.
This top journal publication has a criteria that focuses on originality, importance to medical science, and rigor of the research.
30. Current Biology
Approx. Time to Publication: 3-4 months
Acceptance rate: ~80%
Impact factor: 9.193 (2018)
Open Access: Optional
Current Biology is a journal that focuses very generally on new advances in all fields of biology.
This well know medical journal aims to increase communication and collaboration across the many fields with biological interests.
Current Biology has a high acceptance rate and a fairly quick time to publication.
They also have a pre-submission inquiry program that aims to reduce wasted time for authors by screening the article abstract and cover letter for suitability. The editors typically complete this process in one working day.
31. Experimental and Molecular Medicine
Approx. Time to Publication: 3-4 months
Acceptance rate: ~65%
Impact factor: 4.743 (2019)
Open Access: Yes
EMM is an online open-access journal that seeks to publish developments in translational research and biomedical science that are applicable to improved clinical human health.
This top biomedical journal is known for high acceptance rate, quick time to publication and broad scope make it a great choice for a biomedical science manuscript.
32. Journal of Biomedical Informatics
Approx. Time to Publication: 3-4 months
Acceptance rate: ~25%
Impact factor: 2.950 (2018)
Open Access: Optional
The Journal of Biomedical informatics focuses on publications highlighting new methodologies and techniques that evolve the science of biomedical informatics and are directly applicable to biomedical sciences.
33. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association: JAMIA
Approx. Time to Publication: 3-4 months
Acceptance rate: ~20%
Impact factor: 4.292 (2019)
Open Access: Yes
JAMIA is a health informatics and biomedical science journal that covers a wide variety of topics including education and public health.
The academic journal publishes a large range of manuscript types including primary research, case studies and opinion articles.
34. Science Immunology
Approx. Time to Publication: 3-4 months
Acceptance rate: —
Impact factor: 8.160 (2019)
Open Access: No
Science Immunology publishes manuscripts from the broad field of immunology including validation of new tools and techniques.
They cover medical research from basic to translational and clinical science. Science immunology focuses on short articles that are published in a timely manner and can offer expedited review for papers needing quick assessment.
35. BMC Neuroscience
Approx. Time to Publication: 4 months
Acceptance rate: ~27%
Impact factor: 2.620 (2018)
Open Access: Yes
BMC Neuroscience is an open access journal that covers all aspects of the nervous system with particular interest in animal model studies, cognitive and behavioral research as well as computational modeling.
36. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
Approx. Time to Publication: 4 months
Acceptance rate: —
Impact factor: 4.504 (2019)
Open Access: Yes
As indicated by the title of this journal, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience focuses on understanding how aging alters the Central Nervous System.
This multidisciplinary journal focuses on the integration of sub-disciplines of neuroscience and aims for translational approaches to aging diseases.
37. Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology
Approx. Time to Publication: 4 months
Acceptance rate: —
Impact factor: 5.670 (2018)
Open Access: Yes
Therapeutic Advances in Medical Oncology is focused on the clinical and pharmacological sciences in the treatment of cancer.
One of the top oncology journals in the world, it’s publications are open to all areas of oncology research, which encompasses a large variety of biomedical fields.
Quick online publication makes this journal a good option for fast publication in the field of oncology.
38. Cell Reports/Cell Press
Approx. Time to Publication: 4 months
Acceptance rate: 24%
Impact factor: 7.815 (2019)
Open Access: Yes
Cell Reports considers articles from any topic in life sciences that provide “new biological insight”.
They publish short reports and longer article formats. Cell Reports maintains a fairly prompt publication timeline, a wide scope and high impact factors making it a solid option for almost any topic in the biomedical sciences.
39. Annals of Biomedical Engineering
Approx. Time to Publication: 4-5 months
Acceptance rate: 25%
Impact factor: 3.630 (2019)
Open Access: Optional
The Annals of Biomedical Engineering journal has an interdisciplinary focus on the bioengineering and biomedical engineering fields.
It is the official journal of the Biomedical Engineering Society and aims to use science and engineering to balance scientific observations and analysis.
40. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism: JCEM
Approx. Time to Publication: 4-5 months
Acceptance rate: ~20%
Impact factor: 5.605 (2018)
Open Access: Optional
JCEM accepts original research articles relating to clinical practices in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism. Virtually all types of manuscripts in these fields are accepted by this academic and medical journal.
The tight focus of this journal makes it an appealing option for timely publication of manuscripts in this field.
41. European Journal of Neuroscience
Approx. Time to Publication: 4-6 months
Acceptance rate: ~75%
Impact factor: 2.832 (2019)
Open Access: Optional
EJN is a generic neuroscience journal that publishes article in all aspects of the field.
They strive for fast publication of manuscripts and research papers after acceptance.
EJN often does not reject articles and will lean towards publishing articles based on what topics are currently fashionable or trending in the field.
42. BMC Genomics
Approx. Time to Publication: 4-6 months
Acceptance rate: ~33%
Impact factor: 3.501 (2018)
Open Access: Yes
BMC Genomics is open access journal publishes articles that focus on genome-scale analysis, functional genomics and proteomics.
It is has an average time to publication but has a good rate of acceptance at approximately 1/3 of submitted manuscripts.
43. PLOS ONE
Approx. Time to Publication: 6 months
Acceptance rate: 49%
Impact factor: 2.870 (2019)
Open Access: Yes
Even though PLOS ONE is on the longer side in terms of time to publication, it still made this list due to a high acceptance rate, open access and wide scope.
PLOS ONE accepts original research from over 200 fields within science and medicine. Acceptance of articles is based on the rigor and ethical conduction of the work and less on the appeal of the research topic.
44. Nature Communications
Approx. Time to Publication: 6 months
Acceptance rate: ~38%
Impact factor: 11.878 (2018)
Open Access: Yes
Nature Communications is open to manuscripts within biology, health, physics, chemistry and Earth sciences. The journal’s main commitments are to quick publication and high-quality research.
45. International Journal of Public Health
Approx. Time to Publication: 6-7 months
Acceptance rate: ~65%
Impact factor: 2.373 (2018)
Open Access: Optional
The International Journal of Public Health reviews manuscripts that are relevant to public health worldwide and accepts publications from a large variety of countries and cultures.
The high acceptance rate and wide scope of this journal counteracts the relatively slow publication time.
Best Journals for Fast and High Impact Publication
46. Nature Microbiology
Approx. Time to Publication: 1-2 months
Acceptance rate: 9%
Impact factor: 11.780 (2019)
Open Access: Yes
Nature Microbiology publishes original research related to all aspects of microorganisms including evolution, physiology and cell biology.
They are an online-only journal publication and their quick time to publication and impact is a great pull for top tier manuscripts.
47. EMBO Reports
Approx. Time to Publication: 2 months
Acceptance rate: ~15%
Impact factor: 8.300 (2018)
Open Access: Optional
EMBO Reports focuses on research in the field of molecular biology but also accepts articles on issues involving science and society.
This journal publishes both long and short reports. Even though publication time is fairly rapid, the acceptance rate of EMBO Reports is quite low.
48. Medical Education
Approx. Time to Publication: 2 months
Acceptance rate: 10%
Impact factor: 4.619 (2018)
Open Access: Optional
The Medical Education Journal is primarily an education research journal that accepts manuscripts in many forms.
Of particular interest are articles that employ “empirical finding and conceptual grounding.”
The fast journal publication of articles and unique scope but low acceptance rate gave this journal a place in this bonus section.
49. Molecular Biology and Evolution
Approx. Time to Publication: 3 months (Fast Track: 1 week)
Acceptance rate: —
Impact factor: 14.797 (2018)
Open Access: Optional
Molecular Biology and Evolution publishes research that provides new insights into the molecular processes and changes due to evolution.
This top medical journal aims to provide evolutionary research tools through the articles it publishes including new theories or improved methods.
Molecular Biology and Evolution also has a “Fast Track” option for faster journal publication. Manuscripts with the highest priority can be placed on this option are published online in one week.
50. Science
Approx. Time to Publication: 3 months
Acceptance rate: ~7%
Impact factor: 20.570 (2018)
Open Access: Yes
The journal Science publishes full research articles, reports, reviews and commentaries among virtually all fields in science.
They seek to publish articles which have wide spread importance across multiple fields. This journal also has a “First Release” program available for faster online publication.
51. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America: PNAS
Approx. Time to Publication: 5 months
Acceptance rate: 14%
Impact factor: 9.580 (2018)
Open Access: Yes
PNAS primarily publishes articles in the physical, social and biological sciences. The journal focuses on easy submission, independent peer review, quick online publication and flexible journal length.
PNAS is a solid journal with a reasonable turnaround time but the low acceptance rate makes publishing with PNAS a rewarding challenge.
Conclusion
There you have it – 51 options for rapid publication of your research papers, reviews, case reports, and more. If you need help with your writing, editing, or submission, contact us for a quote.
