Submit to Critical Connections

Critical Connections is the quarterly, digital magazine of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) that provides information on cutting-edge topics in critical care that are useful to the entire multiprofessional team, as well as updates about Society programs and initiatives and member profiles and achievements.

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How to Contribute to Critical Connections

SCCM accepts articles written by members in the categories listed below.

Featured Articles

500 - 1,600 words

Feature articles explore timely topics in critical care and can include:

Clinical topics and key developments about the latest research, challenges, or evolving practices in critical care
Professional growth and practice-focused articles that provide practical takeaways, leadership insights, career guidance, or strategies to support critical care professionals
Success stories and member profiles highlighting a clinician or a team making a difference in critical care

SCCM welcomes a wide range of feature article ideas beyond these categories. As you develop your topic, please keep in mind that SCCM is a multiprofessional organization. Submissions should consider how the topic applies across professions and roles within the critical care team.

Articles that address these areas of knowledge are especially welcomed:

Administration
Behavioral Health and
Well- Being
Cardiovascular
Crisis Management
Endocrine
Ethics End of Life
Gastrointestinal Health and Nutrition
Hematology
Immunology
Infection
Integument
Neuroscience
Obstetrics
Patient and Family Support

Pediatrics
Pharmacology
Procedures
Professional Development and Education
Pulmonary
Quality and Patient Safety
Renal
Research
Resuscitation
Sepsis
Shock Non-sepsis
Transplant
Trauma
Worldwide Data

What to Submit

You will need to submit the following to contribute a featured article to Critical Connections:

Completed article in a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx)
Name, bio, and headshot for each author
Accompanying images, figures, or tables
Completed conflict-of-interest forms for all authors (required prior to publication)

Audience and Tone
Critical Connections is read by critical care professionals. Assume readers are very familiar with critical care issues; it is not geared to a lay audience. Articles in Critical Connections have a more conversational, less formal tone compared to journal articles.

Article Format and Length

Article length should be 500–1,600 words (approximately 2–3 pages in Word).
Articles must be submitted as a Word document (doc or .docx).
Article must include a title with an optional subhead. The title should be brief and can be creative as long as the article topic is still clear.

Author Requirements

List authors and bios in the order you want names to appear.
Bios should include full credentials, title, organization, and context on why the author is qualified to write about the topic (eg, relevant committees or SCCM involvement).
Submit a preferred headshot for each author:
1. Ensure files are at least 72 dpi and 500 pixels wide and tall.
2. Include high-resolution images (PNG preferred).
3. Upload each headshot individually in the form; images embedded in Word or PowerPoint are not accepted.
Publication requires a completed and signed conflict-of-interest form from each listed author.

References

Citations within the article are encouraged.
Use AMA Manual of Style with superscript numbers for in-text, table, and figure citations.
Number sources on the reference page in the order first cited in the text.

Example:
Cheng Z, Wang J, Zhang C, et al. Early T-lymphocyte depletion predicts mortality in critically ill children with severe infections: an exploratory analysis of cytokine pathways. Crit Care Med. 2026 Apr 1;54(4):848-859.

Images, Figures, and Tables

Tables, figures, infographics, and other images are encouraged.
Submit as high-resolution files, at least 72 dpi (PNG or PDF preferred).
Ensure you have permission to use any images submitted, you may be asked to provide proof of permission.
Relevant photos (eg, team or event photos) are also encouraged, with captions where applicable.
You are welcome to pitch a video introduction or narrative or other kinds of supplement media to help promote or digest your article online.

Member Achievements and Recognitions

20 - 100 words

We want to hear the new and exciting things happening in your career! Share your news with us and let your achievements inspire others in the critical care community. Achievements can include:

Receiving a promotion or moving to a new job
Obtaining grant funding
Receiving an award
Earning professional accolades
Publishing your first research article
Anything else you want to share, including any photos!

What to Submit

Members wishing to share their achievements can expect to submit their name, credentials, institution, and achievement.

Headshots or relevant photos are encouraged but not required and should be:

At least 72 dpi and 500 pixels wide and tall
High-resolution image file (PNG preferred)
Uploaded individually to the form. Images embedded in Word or PowerPoint are not accepted.

SCCM Updates

200-500 words

SCCM Sections, Chapters, and Knowledge Education Groups (KEGs) are encouraged to submit updates between 200-500 words to keep members informed on the latest news, current achievements, upcoming events, or any other relevant topics. Photos are welcome!

Have an event coming up? Request a listing on the SCCM Event Calendar.

What to Submit

You will need to submit the following for SCCM Updates:

Completed update in Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx)
Accompanying images if applicable with related captions.

Photos are encouraged but not required and should be:

At least 72 dpi and 500 pixels wide and tall
High-resolution image file (PNG preferred)
Uploaded individually to the form. Images embedded in Word or PowerPoint are not accepted.

Submit Your Article

Submission Deadlines

Article submissions will be placed in the next available issue.

Issue	Article Deadline	Issue Published
January	November 1	January
April	February 1	April
July	May 1	July
October	August 1	October

Policies

The mission of Critical Connections is to provide SCCM members and critical care professionals with timely information regarding the practice of critical care and the Society’s activities.
Only SCCM members may submit content.
Submitting an article does not guarantee publication. SCCM reserves the right to select articles at its discretion or move it to another issue.
All articles are subject to editing for length, content, and accuracy to fit within the style of the publication and are emailed back to the lead author for approval.
Articles that overlap with other active Society initiatives or that do not align with Critical Connections’ mission may be rejected or returned for revision and resubmission.
SCCM will not publish:
- Articles centered on advocacy. Submissions should lean toward education and research-focused content.
- Original research or scientific studies. Manuscripts presenting original data, formal research findings, case studies, or scientific analyses should be submitted to an appropriate SCCM journal, such as Critical Care Medicine, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, or Critical Care Explorations.
- Articles simultaneously submitted to other publications. Submissions to Critical Connections should not be under consideration by another publication at the same time.
Authors are responsible for ensuring that all submitted content is accurate, appropriate, and reflective of their own work.

Contact Us

Please feel free to contact us if you’re not sure if your article topic fits within the scope of the magazine or if you have something you want to see covered. This newsmagazine is for our members, by our members—help us shape it into your perfect read.

For SCCM members, by SCCM members.

Submit Your Article