scope:

Scope and Applicability

a. Scope of Authored Works:

(1) The authored works process is designed to facilitate the publication and presentation of official products by ensuring their integrity and the alignment to the principles of the Navy Medical Department, Defense Health Agency, Department of Navy, and Department of Defense.

(2) An authored work is defined as official products that will be released outside of the author's command through publication, or presentation in a public forum (e.g., conference, panel discussion, offsite).

(3) For purposes of this instruction, "authored work" refers to any journal articles, abstracts, manuscripts, case reports, first-person narratives or blog (or vlog) submissions, oral or written presentations, panel presentations, books and book chapters, posters and graphics, newsletters (with intent to release to members of the general public), stakeholder or technical reports (that will be released outside of the command), podcasts, pre-recorded video, or any other form of written or oral presentation prepared for release in the author's official capacity.

(4) "Official capacity" refers to working on or producing an authored work as part of official job duties or expertise; related in any capacity to Navy or Navy Medicine; use of rank, job title, or affiliation in authored work byline or biography. Official capacity does not necessarily preclude working on authored work during non-work hours or "free-time."

(5) Public release is defined as disseminated or shared outside of authors' or editors' command, specialty community, or agency and accessible to media or to members of the general public.

(6) "Sensitive" refers to authored works related to topics identified in reference (j) or any subsequent notice identifying topics that are deemed sensitive in nature. A sensitive topic also refers to any topic likely to attract the attention of national or international media.

b. Applicability of Instruction:

(1) All active duty and Reserve Navy Medical Department officers, enlisted, and civilian personnel, including those in training programs at Navy medical and dental facilities, academic programs funded by the Navy Medical Department, or participating in joint program operations at U.S. Army or U.S. Air Force medical or dental facilities. This includes all Navy personnel assigned to the Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Commands, as well as medical treatment facilities.

(2) Personnel appointed under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act.

(3) Experts, consultants, or researchers employed pursuant to section 3109 of title 5, U. S. Code, including Navy Medical Department personnel participating in joint research operations at Defense Health Agency, U.S. Army, or U.S. Air Force research facilities.

c. Contractors supported by military funding at Navy medical, dental, or research facilities. A contractor cannot be the sole author or clinical and principal investigator for any work, and must co-author with military or government civilian personnel.

Purpose

a. The purpose of this guidance is to revise policy and prescribe procedures for obtaining timely review and approval for release of all works authored by Navy Medical Department personnel in an official capacity before publication or presentation per references (a) through (j). In addition, guidance will provide clarification and greater specificity with regard to several issues introduced by previous policy. This instruction is a complete revision and should be reviewed in its entirety.

b. Navy Medical Department personnel are encouraged to submit authored work for publication. Publication encourages the exchange of information, promotes professional growth, and the professional standing of Navy personnel and the Navy Medical Department.