Vancouver Journal Article Citations
Learn to cite medical journal articles, clinical research, and peer-reviewed studies using the Vancouver referencing style.
Basic Journal Article Format
Vancouver style uses a numerical system for journal article citations. The reference list should include all essential publication details in a specific order.
Standard Format:
Author AA, Author BB. Title of article. Journal Name. Year;Volume(Issue):Page range.
Medical Journal Examples
Single Author - Clinical Research:
1. Johnson MK. Effectiveness of early mobilization in cardiac surgery patients. Heart Surg Today. 2023;45(3):123-130.
In-text citation: Studies show early mobilization improves outcomes (1).
Multiple Authors - Systematic Review:
2. Smith JA, Wilson RL, Brown KE, Davis CM, Thompson LM, Anderson PJ. Antibiotic resistance patterns in intensive care units: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Crit Care Med. 2023;51(8):1045-1058.
In-text citation: Recent meta-analyses confirm rising resistance rates (2).
More Than Six Authors:
3. Martinez JL, Rodriguez A, Gonzalez M, et al. Impact of telemedicine on rural healthcare delivery during COVID-19. Rural Health Perspect. 2023;29(4):67-81.
In-text citation: Telemedicine expanded access significantly (3).
Online Journal Articles with DOI
Many medical journals are published online with Digital Object Identifiers (DOI). Include the DOI when available.
With DOI:
4. Chen L, Park SH, Kim YJ. Machine learning applications in diagnostic radiology: current state and future prospects. J Med Imaging. 2023;10(2):024501. doi:10.1117/1.JMI.10.2.024501
PubMed Central (PMC) Article:
5. Taylor AR, White SJ. Novel biomarkers for early detection of Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Aging. 2023;78:45-52. PMC9876543.
Special Publication Types
Epub Ahead of Print:
6. Roberts KL, Miller JD. Gene therapy advances in treating inherited blindness. Ophthalmology. 2023 Dec 15. Epub ahead of print.
Supplement Issue:
7. Foster EM, Clark RN. Guidelines for pediatric emergency care. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2023;39(Suppl 1):S15-S23.
Letter to Editor:
8. Harrison PT. Response to "New treatment protocols in oncology" [letter]. Cancer Treatment Rev. 2023;45(6):234.
Best Practices for Medical Citations
Journal Name Abbreviations:
Use standard abbreviations as listed in PubMed or Index Medicus. Examples:
- New England Journal of Medicine → N Engl J Med
- Journal of the American Medical Association → JAMA
- The Lancet → Lancet
- British Medical Journal → BMJ
Quality Assessment:
When citing medical research, prioritize:
- Peer-reviewed journals with high impact factors
- Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
- Randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
- Clinical practice guidelines from professional societies
Currency of Information:
Medical knowledge evolves rapidly. Focus on recent publications (within 5 years) unless citing landmark studies or historical context.