- Open access · CC BY 4.0
- ISSN 2689-5773
- Published by Open Access Pub
Aims and Scope
The Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Pathology publishes research on the diagnosis and classification of disease across anatomic and clinical pathology and laboratory medicine.
What the journal is for
JCDP aims to publish rigorous work that improves how disease is recognized, classified and reported in the laboratory. It considers studies of diagnostic methods and their performance, of the pathological basis of disease, and of the practice of the laboratory itself.
The journal values clinicopathologic correlation. Its readers are pathologists, laboratory scientists and the clinicians who act on their reports, and every article is free to read and reuse under CC BY 4.0.
Both words of the title define the remit: clinical pathology, meaning laboratory medicine and the testing of blood, body fluids and microbes, and diagnostic pathology, meaning the examination of tissue and cells for diagnosis.
The whole field of diagnostic pathology
JCDP welcomes research, reviews and case-based work in the areas below. Topics are illustrative, not a closed list.
ANATOMICSurgical pathology and histopathology
Tumor classification and grading, intraoperative consultation, dermatopathology, neuropathology and specimen handling.
CYTOLOGYCytopathology
Gynecologic and non-gynecologic cytology and fine-needle aspiration diagnosis.
BLOODHematopathology and laboratory hematology
Blood, bone marrow and lymphoid disease, including flow cytometry.
LABORATORYClinical chemistry and laboratory medicine
Analytical method validation, reference intervals, automation and point-of-care testing.
INFECTIONMedical microbiology and virology
Laboratory diagnosis of bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infection.
MARKERSImmunopathology and molecular diagnostics
Immunohistochemistry, sequencing, biomarker validation and companion diagnostics.
IMAGINGDigital and computational pathology
Whole-slide imaging, image analysis, telepathology and AI-assisted interpretation.
AUTOPSYForensic and autopsy pathology
Postmortem diagnosis and its contribution to clinical and medicolegal practice.
QUALITYQuality and laboratory practice
Quality assurance, proficiency testing, error reduction, standardized reporting and laboratory informatics.
Designs the journal considers
Quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods work is considered where the question concerns diagnosis, classification or laboratory practice.
Diagnostic accuracy and method studies
Sensitivity, specificity, agreement and reproducibility of tests, stains and criteria.
Clinicopathologic and cohort studies
Correlation of pathological findings with clinical features, biomarkers and outcomes.
Laboratory method development
New or improved techniques, protocols and validations, with the detail needed to reproduce them.
Evidence synthesis
Narrative and systematic reviews and meta-analyses of diagnostic evidence.
Instructive cases
Unusual or instructive cases with pathological findings and clinical correlation.
Quality and informatics studies
Audits, error analysis, proficiency testing, standardized reporting and laboratory information systems.
What makes a manuscript a fit
Work the journal considers
Manuscripts are considered when their central question concerns the diagnosis, classification or laboratory measurement of disease, or the pathological basis on which diagnosis rests. Work from any country and setting is welcome, from reference laboratories to district hospitals.
Work outside the scope
Studies whose primary subject is treatment or clinical management, without a diagnostic or pathological question, fall outside the scope of JCDP. Reports of work not based on original observations or analysis, and promotional content, are also outside it.
All submissions undergo initial editorial screening. Manuscripts that meet the journal’s scope and minimum requirements proceed to independent peer review. Single-blind by default; double-blind review is available on request.
Article types
Preparation requirements for each type are in the Instructions for Authors. There are no fixed length limits for any article type; manuscripts should be concise and proportionate to their content.
Original Research
Diagnostic, laboratory and clinicopathologic studies with full methods and results.
Review
Narrative and systematic reviews, including meta-analyses of diagnostic evidence.
Case Report
Unusual or instructive cases with pathological findings and clinical correlation.
Technical Note
New or improved laboratory methods, staining protocols and assay validations.
Short Communication
Concise reports of focused or preliminary diagnostic findings.
Letter
Comment on published work or on questions in pathology practice and education.
Submit to JCDP
Regular submissions are accepted throughout the year. Routes, a checklist and what happens next are on the submission page.