Cureus is an Open Access medical journal that promotes thorough and effective research evaluation through an expert peer review process. Professionals can contribute to high-quality academic peer review with consistency and honesty, while adhering to medical journal reviewer guidelines.
Why Review With Cureus?
Peer review is the foundation on which published medical literature stands. While peer review is largely altruistic, there are many benefits to serving as a medical science peer reviewer.
Lend a hand to your fellow Cureus authors and apply to join the Cureus peer review panel today!
Review Cureus articles online with no hassle!
Cureus provides a hassle-free peer review process empowering you to review the article and submit your comments online, often in just a few hours, and without downloading and printing PDFs to make comments in the margins. You can provide peer review of medical articles anywhere and at any time. Just add your comments, complete a short questionnaire and submit your review.
Stay abreast of the latest developments in your field by getting a first look at research from your fellow physicians.
Review invitations unlock exclusive first-look access to the latest work from physicians around the world. Your contributions to medical peer review in Cureus could mean you’re the first to learn about a rare new case or a years-in-the-making newsworthy study while also making a measurable impact on the authors’ work itself.
When you peer review medical articles from researchers around the globe, you help authors strengthen their work while improving your own writing skills!
Gain progress towards our Cureus Honors program to earn rewards!
Participating in the peer review of medical articles will help you progress towards our honors tiers where you’ll be rewarded with perks like discounts on our Preferred Editing and Expedited PMC services.
Provide a valuable scientific contribution to medical literature available in PubMed Central.
Cureus peer review assists the author in creating the best possible scholarly medical article. Peer reviewers provide comprehensive criticism, helping to provide authors with an efficient and fruitful publishing process. All articles published in Cureus will be indexed in PubMed Central approximately six weeks after publication!
What qualifications are required to become a peer reviewer?
Cureus maintains an internal panel of qualified experts to ensure scientific integrity, so becoming a peer reviewer requires certain expertise, including:
- Educational background: Most peer reviewers hold a doctorate in a related field, such as a medical degree or a PhD.
- Professional expertise: Reviewers should have practical experience in their field. For example, a public health researcher is well-suited for evaluating epidemiological studies.
- Publication history: Authors who have previously published in Cureus or other peer-reviewed journals are given priority.
How long does the Cureus peer review process usually take?
Compared to many journals, which often take 6 to 12 months to complete peer review, Cureus has a median of 26 days from submission to publication. Cureus is ranked in the top 5% of journals for monthly production.
Authors have less time to wait at each stage, and reviewers usually finish evaluations in fewer than 10 days. Despite the faster pace, Cureus upholds strict standards, which ensure that submissions are carefully reviewed for scientific quality, methodology and reproducibility.
What should I do if I have a conflict of interest when reviewing an article?
If you have a conflict of interest when reviewing a Cureus article, you should contact us as soon as you can and let us know so the review can be removed. Here are some potential conflicts that can occur:
- Carrying out similar studies or having a patent in the same field
- Distinct personal or professional ties with the authors of the research
- Financial interests associated with the research or its results
Do reviewers receive recognition or credit for their work?
Yes. Reviewers receive recognition through the Cureus Honors program and external tracking services. Professional recognition consists of:
- Official certificates: Reviewers can download their printable peer review certificates as evidence of academic work.
- Public listing: Active reviewers may be featured publicly on the Cureus website.
- External profiles: Reviews can be uploaded to a peer reviewer's ORCID or Web of Science profile.