Submit research, patient reflections and industry insights to “The Intersection of Humanism in Healthcare and Patient Experience”
The Arnold P. Gold Foundation, in collaboration with the Journal of Patient Experience, is pleased to announce a forthcoming special collection focused on humanism and patient experience in healthcare, exploring the intersections and divergences between these two important realms.
“The Intersection of Humanism in Healthcare and Patient Experience” will be a yearlong special collection published on the journal’s website. Submissions, which are open now, will be published on a rolling basis upon acceptance. Gold Foundation President and CEO Kathleen Reeves, MD, will be the Guest Editor.
“I am grateful for the chance to collaborate with the Gold Foundation,” said Laura Cooley, PhD, Editor in Chief, Journal of Patient Experience (JPX). “Humanism in healthcare goes beyond being an aspiration; it is a critical element that influences every facet of the patient experience. It represents the empathy, respect, and understanding that transform patient care from a simple exchange to a profoundly healing connection. Advancing research in this field is essential to reveal the significant effects that compassionate, human-centered care has on patient outcomes, clinician well-being, and overall healthcare success. Together, we can make significant strides to ensure that the human element remains central to healthcare.”
Successful submissions will investigate or illuminate specific policies, initiatives, or tools that make healthcare more humanistic and yield a clear impact on patients and patient experience, clinicians, and/or the institution.
“We are excited to be working with the Journal of Patient Experience to showcase the important work underway that improves care through humanism,” said Dr. Reeves. “Evidence has shown again and again how powerful the human connection in healthcare can be —for patient experience, outcomes, and for clinician well-being. We look forward to learning about your interventions, projects, and reflections, all of which will help amplify humanism and make care more trustworthy, safe, and kind.”
Learn more about this special collection.
Definitions to know
Patient experience has been defined by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) as “…a range of interactions that patients have with the healthcare system, including their care from health plans, and from doctors, nurses, and staff in hospitals, physician practices, and other healthcare facilities. As an integral component of healthcare quality, patient experience includes several aspects of healthcare delivery that patients value highly when they seek and receive care, such as getting timely appointments, easy access to information, and good communication…”
Humanism in healthcare has been championed by The Arnold P. Gold Foundation for more than 30 years, and emphasizes the inherent dignity and worth of every human being. Humanism focuses on clinically excellent care that is kind, safe, and trustworthy. At its core, humanistic healthcare is grounded in a deep respect for patients’ values, beliefs, and preferences and benefits both clinicians and patients. Illness and healing are deeply personal experiences; humanism in healthcare acknowledges this and emphasizes the importance of grounding care in an environment in which the patient is seen as a true partner with the clinician in the care plan. Patients experience better health and healthcare professionals experience less burnout when humanism is central to care.
About Us
The Arnold P. Gold Foundation is the leading national nonprofit that champions humanism in healthcare. Founded in 1988, the Gold Foundation’s vision is that healthcare will be dramatically improved by placing the interests, values and dignity of all people at the core of teaching and practice. Research shows that kind, safe, trustworthy care benefits both patients and clinicians. The Gold Foundation is the home of the White Coat Ceremony, the Gold Humanism Honor Society, Tell Me More® communication tool and many other programs.
The Journal of Patient Experience is a peer-reviewed, open-access academic journal. JPX is indexed with PubMed Central (PMC), Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), ProQuest, and Scopus. We hold an impact factor designated by Clarivate Analytics. The Journal does not publish articles focused primarily on clinical outcomes. All submissions must align with the mission to transform health and care experiences through actionable insights.
Article types
- Research Article submissions are typically characterized by a systematic investigation into specific aspects of patient experience, aiming to contribute new knowledge or validate existing theories. This article type must present original research conducted by the author(s) demonstrating innovative outcomes, processes, or applications to enhance patient care experiences, engagement, and satisfaction. Research methods may include qualitative, quantitative, and experimental studies, provided they adhere to high academic standards in methodology and data analysis.
- Patient Perspectives articles amplify the voices of those who experience the health and care system firsthand, contributing to a deeper understanding of patient needs, challenges, and outcomes. Submitting authors must identify in roles including (though not limited to): Patients who have directly experienced health and care services and/or Caregivers who have supported a patient through their healthcare journey and/or Relatives who have been involved in a patient’s care and/or Consumers of health and care products or services. Perspectives should be supported by relevant research, data, or literature that provides context and enhances the credibility of the insights shared. While clinicians, professionals, researchers, and other experts are invited, perspective must represent the lens of the “patient”.
- Industry Insights articles are authored by professionals, clinicians, researchers, and other experts working within the health and care industry. Insights include expert perspectives, experiences, and observations on current trends, challenges, and innovations. Articles should be supported by relevant research, data, or literature that provides context and enhances the credibility of the insights shared. Authors reference a range of existing literature, including peer-reviewed studies, meta-analyses, and relevant industry reports, to enhance the validity and reliability of their perspectives. This article type provides a bridge between academic research and practical application, offering valuable contributions to ongoing discussions within the health and care sector.
- Research Brief articles present original research that may not be suitable for a full-length “Research Article” type. This article type provides space to present preliminary findings, such as pilot studies or projects with smaller sample sizes. The brief should address an important patient experience issue and clearly outline the implications of methodological limitations. Briefs often demonstrate early trending outcomes, processes, or applications that may enhance patient care experiences, engagement, and satisfaction.
Submission Information
- Deadline: December 1, 2025
- Please review the full submission guidelines
- Submissions will be published on a rolling basis upon acceptance.
- Learn more about “The Intersection of Humanism in Healthcare and Patient Experience” special collection.
Article Processing Charge (APC): There is no charge for submitting a manuscript. If, after peer review, your manuscript is accepted for publication, a one-time article processing charge (APC) is payable to cover the cost of publishing, paid by the funder, institution, or author. There is no charge for a Patient Perspective article type. Click here for more information.
Articles accepted for this special collection receive a 50% APC discount.
Authors may contact the editorial team to discuss special circumstances that may prohibit publication. Authors may be eligible for discounts to their APC via open access agreements that Sage has with participating institutions. Your article may be eligible for a full or partial waiver due to our participation in initiatives to increase accessibility to publication across the international academic community.
Questions?
Contact:
- Laura Cooley, PhD, Editor in Chief, Journal of Patient Experience, LCooley@JournalPatientExperience.org
- Brianne Alcala, Editor in Chief, The Arnold P. Gold Foundation, publications@gold-foundation.org
