BMJ Video Abstract Requirements

Yes. BMJ describes a video abstract as an accompanying feature for research articles that should attract viewers to the scientific paper. BMJ says the aim is to promote the highlights of the study, include the main conclusions and results, and ideally tell a story that encourages viewers to read the paper.

BMJ is explicit about timing: authors should not try to upload a video abstract at initial manuscript submission. BMJ says it will not ask authors to consider submitting a video abstract until the paper has been accepted.

BMJ also says all video abstracts are assessed for suitability by its multimedia and editorial teams, publication is not guaranteed, and authors may be asked to make changes.

BMJ's video abstract guidance recommends keeping the video engaging and as short as possible, with a maximum of 4 minutes. The tone should be relaxed and friendly, and the script should sound like speech rather than a written article.

BMJ frames video abstracts for the scientific public but notes that they are open to anybody, including journalists. That means the video should explain the research in accessible language without turning it into a promotional claim that goes beyond the paper.

BMJ lists minimum technical specifications for videos: 25 frames per second, 16:9 widescreen format, .mov, .mpg, .avi, or .mp4 with .mp4 preferred, H.264 video codec, AAC audio codec, 48000 Hz audio frequency, and minimum audio bitrate of 128 kbps.

For frame size, BMJ lists a minimum of 720 x 576 pixels and welcomes HD, with 1280 x 720 minimum and 1920 x 1080 maximum for HD. BMJ also lists a minimum video bitrate of 3 Mbps.

BMJ is especially important for medical and health research. Its video abstract overview says authors are responsible for the project and should use BMJ's consent form for any image or footage that needs consent for publication. BMJ's patient consent policy says identifiable pictures or videos of patients require written consent, while anonymised medical images or multimedia may be usable without consent only when identifying marks and accompanying identifying details are removed.

BMJ's submitting-your-video page directs authors to upload files through its Hightail space with an identifiable name that includes the article ID. BMJ also provides a contact email for video abstract questions through its multimedia journals team.

SciReel can help authors prepare a concise narrated video, SRT subtitles, and transcript from a research PDF. For BMJ, authors should be more careful than usual: review all medical claims, remove or anonymise any patient-identifying material, confirm consent where needed, and be ready to adapt the video if BMJ's multimedia or editorial team asks for changes.