A surgery trainee's guide to writing a manuscript

- Academic work is integral to progress in the surgical field.
- Successful academic work depends on knowledge of the writing process.
- This review guides the surgical trainee through the process of scholarly writing.

Publishing clinical and research work for dissemination is a critical part of the academic process. Learning how to write an effective manuscript should be a goal for medical students and residents who hope to participate in publishing. While there are a number of existing texts that address how to write a manuscript, there are fewer guides that are specifically targeted towards surgery trainees. This review aims to direct and hopefully encourage surgery trainees to successfully navigate the process of converting ideas into a publication that ultimately helps understanding and improves the care of patients.