HUMANITIES SECTION
Editor: Thiago Petra
The experience of diagnosis, prevention, care, and sexuality extends beyond the biomedical dimension; they are expressed through language, affect, ethics, memory, and cultural representations. This section aims to foster critical and creative dialogue among healthcare professionals, researchers, artists, and patients, highlighting narratives and approaches that shed light on the clinical encounter, the confrontation of stigma, and the multiple languages of care.
Inspired by the "Poetry and Medicine" section of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), this section goes further, creating space for critical, poetic, and historical work regarding sexually transmitted diseases, which were formerly known as venereal diseases and now termed sexually transmitted infections (STI).
Accepted Formats:
- Poetry and Creative Writing: Poetic works and short literary texts that engage with the body, intimacy, illness, the daily reality of caregiving, or the lived experience of STIs. It is suggested that poems be accompanied by a brief reflective commentary on the context of their creation.
- Clinical Narratives and Personal Essays: Reflective, firsthand accounts from health professionals, patients, or caregivers regarding significant moments in practice, the doctor-patient relationship, listening, empathy, and ethical dilemmas in the management of infections as well as sexual health.
- Interdisciplinary Dialogues (Health & Humanities): Articles and reflective essays that bridge health and related fields such as literature, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, history, and social memory, exploring concepts, languages, and cultural representations relevant to the journal's themes.
- Visual Arts and Iconographic Essays: Original visual works (photography, illustration, printmaking, painting, comics) or critical readings of contemporary visual productions, accompanied by a brief essay-style text that contextualizes the work and links it to the journal's themes.
Suggested Basic Guidelines for Authors
- Poetry and Poems: Up to 50 lines; a brief introductory note or a reflective postscript by the author (50 to 200 words) is recommended.
- Clinical Narratives and Interdisciplinary Dialogues: Texts between 1,000 and 1,500 words (special cases will be reviewed by the editor), featuring a fluid writing style and essential bibliographic references (up to 10 references, Vancouver style).
- Visual Essays: High-resolution images (minimum 300 dpi) accompanied by a critical/explanatory text of 100 to 300 words.
Criteria for Submitting Images and Visual Art:
- Prohibition of Identifiable Images: To safeguard privacy, confidentiality, and individual dignity, photographs or representations that allow for the identification of individuals (faces, distinctive facial features, or elements that compromise anonymity) will not be accepted.
- Encouraged Forms: Submissions of works with a visual and symbolic character, such as illustrations, prints, paintings, conceptual/abstract photography, texture details, and non-figurative visual essays are encouraged.
- Copyright: Authors must hold the copyright to the submitted visual work or provide formal proof of usage rights or a public domain license for publication in the journal.
