Jeanin E. van Hooft, MD, PhD, MBA, FASGE, from the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, LUMC Leiden University, offers advice to new reviewers after participating in GIE’s Reviewer Mentorship Program.

What might happen when you start to do reviews is that the names of the authors or the quality of the language will unconsciously impact you, causing an unintended bias. To conduct a good review, I always suggest working systematically. Read the entire article; search the literature, including a check of the trial registration; take a break; and only after that, start writing a constructive and structured review. Regarding the style of the review, be friendly though clear and try to avoid exaggerations.

For good work-life balance, focus on extra tasks that give you joy and practice saying “no” to jobs that give negative energy. And in case you are not yet inclined to say “no” often enough and you feel stress coming on, go for a long hike and get a good night’s rest.

If you are interested in becoming a reviewer for GIE or VideoGIE, please contact their editorial offices.