The ERJ website (erj.ersjournals.com) is the official digital home of the European Respiratory Journal, the flagship peer-reviewed publication of the European Respiratory Society (ERS). It serves as a primary global resource for clinicians, researchers, and educators seeking the latest original research, clinical guidelines, and technical standards in respiratory medicine and pulmonary health.
While the term "ERJ" is also a common designation for the Embraer Regional Jet family in aviation, the specific query for an "ERJ website" most frequently pertains to this high-impact medical publication. This guide focuses on navigating the journal's digital ecosystem, accessing its extensive archives, and utilizing its professional research tools as of 2026.
Understanding the ERJ Digital Ecosystem
The ERJ website is more than a simple repository of PDF articles; it is an integrated platform designed to facilitate rapid dissemination of pulmonary science. Managed by the European Respiratory Society, the site hosts a vast array of content ranging from molecular biology and cell biology to clinical trials and epidemiological studies.
In 2026, the digital infrastructure of the ERJ has evolved to prioritize "Mobile-First" accessibility and semantic search capabilities. This allows users to find highly specific data points—such as the efficacy rates of new biologics for severe asthma or updated diagnostic criteria for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis—using natural language queries.
The Role of the European Respiratory Society (ERS)
The website is the digital mouthpiece of the ERS, an organization with over 30,000 members from 160 countries. Because the journal is tied to a professional society, the website serves a dual purpose: it is both a scholarly archive and a hub for professional development. Users can often find links to the ERS Congress, the world’s largest respiratory meeting, and the ERS Respiratory Channel, which provides video-based clinical education.
Content Categorization
Navigation on the ERJ website is divided into several high-level categories:
- Current Issue: The most recent curated selection of articles.
- Early View: Peer-reviewed articles that are published online ahead of their inclusion in a scheduled issue.
- Archive: Access to every issue published since the journal’s inception in 1988.
- Collections: Articles grouped by topic, such as "COVID-19," "COPD," or "Lung Cancer," allowing specialists to find relevant research without manual searching.
Accessing Content: Subscriptions, Paywalls, and Open Access
Accessing the full text of articles on the ERJ website typically requires an active subscription, ERS membership, or a one-time purchase. However, the journal has increasingly moved toward an Open Access (OA) model for specific types of content to comply with global research mandates like Plan S.
Individual vs. Institutional Access
Most clinicians and researchers access the ERJ through their university or hospital library. The website uses IP-based authentication or Single Sign-On (SSO) protocols (such as Shibboleth or OpenAthens) to grant seamless access to institutional subscribers. If you are off-campus, the website provides a "Login via your institution" feature that redirects to your home library’s authentication portal.
For individuals, an ERS membership is often the most cost-effective way to access the ERJ. Membership tiers usually include a digital subscription to the ERJ, along with sister publications like ERJ Open Research and the European Respiratory Review.
The ERJ Open Access Policy
As of 2026, a significant portion of the ERJ website is "Free to View." This includes:
- Editor’s Choice Articles: Selected high-impact papers made free by the editorial board.
- Task Force Reports and Guidelines: Most clinical practice guidelines are published as Open Access to ensure that life-saving standards are available to healthcare providers worldwide regardless of their funding.
- Gold Open Access Articles: Authors who pay an Article Processing Charge (APC) make their specific research permanently free for everyone to read and redistribute under Creative Commons licenses.
Pay-Per-View Options
For independent researchers without an institutional affiliation, the ERJ website offers a 24-hour or 48-hour "rental" or purchase option for individual articles. These are typically delivered via a secure PDF or an enhanced HTML5 reader that allows for annotation and cloud storage.
Key Features for Clinicians and Researchers
The ERJ website incorporates several specialized tools that differentiate it from a standard academic blog or a basic database like PubMed.
Guidelines and Task Force Reports
One of the most visited sections of the ERJ website is the Guidelines page. These documents represent the consensus of international experts on the management of respiratory diseases. They often include:
- Algorithmic Flowcharts: Visual aids for diagnostic and treatment pathways.
- Evidence Tables: Detailed breakdowns of the clinical trials that informed the recommendations.
- Patient Versions: Simplified summaries designed to help clinicians explain complex diagnoses to patients.
Early View and In-Press Articles
In the fast-moving field of pulmonary medicine, waiting for a monthly print issue is often impractical. The "Early View" section of the ERJ website hosts manuscripts that have passed peer review and been copyedited but are still awaiting a volume and page number. These articles are fully citable using their Digital Object Identifier (DOI).
Multimedia and Supplemental Material
Modern research often includes massive datasets, high-resolution imaging, or video files of surgical procedures. The ERJ website provides a dedicated tab for "Supplementary Data" on each article page. This allows researchers to download raw data for meta-analysis or view 3D reconstructions of thoracic scans that cannot be rendered in a traditional PDF.
| Feature Type | Description | Primary User |
|---|---|---|
| Altmetrics | Real-time tracking of social media mentions, news coverage, and policy citations. | Authors & Institutions |
| CME Modules | Continuing Medical Education credits linked to specific journal articles. | Practicing Clinicians |
| Podcast Integration | Audio interviews with lead authors discussing the "Why" behind their research. | Commuting Professionals |
| Advanced Search | Filters by Boolean operators, date ranges, and specific ERS assemblies. | Academic Researchers |
Author Services and Submission Portal
For those looking to publish on the ERJ website, the "Information for Authors" section is the most critical resource. The ERJ maintains a rigorous peer-review process with an acceptance rate that traditionally remains below 15%, reflecting its status as a top-tier medical journal.
Submission Requirements
Authors must submit their work via the ScholarOne Manuscripts portal, which is linked directly from the ERJ homepage. Key technical requirements in 2026 include:
- ORCID iD: All contributing authors must have a verified ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) to ensure proper attribution.
- Data Availability Statements: Authors are required to state where the raw data supporting their results can be accessed.
- Reporting Guidelines: Submissions must adhere to specific checklists (e.g., CONSORT for randomized trials, STROBE for observational studies).
The Peer Review Process
The ERJ website provides transparency into its review process. Most articles undergo a "double-anonymized" or "single-anonymized" review, where experts in the field evaluate the methodology, statistical significance, and clinical relevance of the work. The website also features a "Reviewer Hub" where those invited to review can access guidelines and receive "Publons" credit for their service.
Post-Publication Impact
Once an article is live on the ERJ website, the platform provides authors with a dashboard of "Article Metrics." This includes not only the number of downloads but also the "Field-Weighted Citation Impact," helping authors demonstrate the reach of their work to tenure committees and grant-funding bodies.
Navigating the ERS Publications Portfolio
The ERJ website is the center of a larger solar system of publications. Navigating the site often involves moving between these different journals depending on the nature of the inquiry.
- ERJ Open Research: A fully Open Access journal that focuses on niche areas or smaller-scale clinical studies that may not fit the broader scope of the main ERJ.
- European Respiratory Review (ERR): A journal dedicated to state-of-the-art review articles. If you are looking for an overview of a field rather than original data, the ERR (accessible via the ERJ site navigation) is the better choice.
- Breathe: A clinical educational journal designed for respiratory therapists, nurses, and junior doctors. It focuses on the practical application of knowledge.
- ERS Monograph: Each issue is a book-length deep dive into a single topic (e.g., "Pulmonary Rehabilitation" or "Sleep Apnea").
Troubleshooting and Technical Support
Users occasionally encounter issues with the ERJ website, particularly regarding access permissions or PDF rendering.
- Cache and Cookie Issues: If the website does not recognize your institutional login, clearing your browser’s cache or using an "Incognito" window often resolves the conflict.
- PDF Loading Errors: The ERJ uses a high-fidelity PDF viewer. If pages appear blank, ensure your browser’s PDF plugin is updated or try the "Download" option to view the file locally.
- Account Lockouts: If you have an ERS account for membership but cannot log into the journal, ensure your dues are current. The "forgot password" feature on the ERJ site is separate from the main ERS society portal in some legacy configurations, though 2026 updates have largely unified these systems.
Professional Advice Limitation
The information provided on the ERJ website, including research articles and clinical guidelines, is intended for healthcare professionals. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients should consult with a qualified pulmonologist or healthcare provider regarding respiratory symptoms or conditions.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ERJ website free to use?
The website itself is free to browse, including all abstracts, tables of contents, and specific "Open Access" or "Editor's Choice" articles. However, full access to most original research papers requires an individual subscription, institutional access, or a current ERS membership.
How can I find the Impact Factor of the ERJ on the website?
The Impact Factor and other bibliometric data (such as CiteScore and Eigenfactor) are typically located in the "About the Journal" or "Journal Metrics" section. As of 2026, the ERJ remains one of the highest-ranked journals in the respiratory category, reflecting its high citation rate.
Can I download articles for offline reading?
Yes, subscribers and those with institutional access can download articles in PDF format. The ERJ website also supports ePub formats for many articles, making them easier to read on tablets and e-readers.
How do I cite an article from the ERJ website?
Each article page features a "Cite" button. This tool generates a citation in various formats (AMA, APA, Vancouver, etc.) and allows you to export the citation directly to reference management software like EndNote, Mendeley, or Zotero.
Does the ERJ website have an app?
While the ERS has historically offered apps, the 2026 version of the ERJ website is a "Progressive Web App" (PWA). This means you can "Add to Home Screen" on your mobile device for an app-like experience without needing to download a separate file from an app store.
Practical Recommendation
For the most efficient experience on the ERJ website, users should first verify their access status. If you are a student or a medical professional, check your institutional library's portal before attempting to purchase individual articles. If you frequently visit the site for research, creating a free "My Account" on the ERS portal will allow you to save searches, set up "TOC Alerts" (Table of Contents alerts) for new issues, and bookmark specific articles for future reference. For those in the aviation sector looking for Embraer Regional Jet data, redirect your search to the "FlyEmbraer" portal or the official Embraer Commercial Aviation website, as the ERJ journal site is strictly medical in nature.
