
Medical Journals
572-576
Correspondence
Dr. P. Ravi Shankar. Manipal College of Medical Sciences, P. O. Box 155, Deep Heights, Pokhara, Nepal.
Tel.: 00977-61-440600; e-mail: ravi.dr.shankar@gmail.com
The internet has revolutionized most aspects of biomedical communication, including biomedical journals. Many journals have their own websites. The Manuscript Submission process has been automated and manuscripts can be submitted online, obviating the need for paper copies.
The open access initiative has revolutionized the field of publishing. Many journals are following a system of open peer review where the reviewer and the author know each other’s identity. Many journals offer personalized work areas to registered authors. PLoS one has started the system of post-publication peer review of published articles.
Article proofs and reprints of published articles are usually sent online. BioMedCentral publishes an article immediately on acceptance. “Online early” is a system followed by many journals to decrease publication delays. Blogs allow for informal communication and quicker publication of responses.
Open choice publication is beginning to be offered by publication houses. Voice files of articles may be accessible, and the summary of the journal may be available in audio format. Rapid responses and e-letters are becoming popular. Prepublication sites have not become really popular in the field of medicine. Systems like HINARI offer access to many medical journals, to authors in developing countries.