I.J.S. journey started in early 1940’s as a Journal to highlight Indian Surgical Scenario and bring Surgeons together to exchange their knowledge to improve Surgical Care and teaching. In 50’s the journal was indexed and one of few recognized Indian Journals in Medical Science but got derecognized due to irregular publication. 70’s and 80’s period saw an era of modern development of Surgical technique in Metropolitan Cities, development of Medical Institutions and Gradual spread of Surgical procedures in two tier cities. ASI membership increased and active participation of young surgeons coming from all parts of the country made it more vibrant academically. ASI represented all speciality of surgical discipline and started speciality sections. ASI annual conference a popular event among members is an academic feast with Surgeons exchanging scientific knowledge and motivation to many to learn advance techniques, management of difficult problems and refresh basic in surgery. More Sections started developing with focused scientific development and raised the standard of scientific deliberations with participation by foreign delegates and invited speakers. Speciality sections/States Chapters became more active with its activities covering peripheral areas involving Surgeons working in primary health centers and remote hospitals. ASI achievement is appreciable to unite Surgeons of all parts of the country and gradual improving surgical care is unprecedented but unnoticed by Government. .
In this era of gradual development and spreading wings all over the country to improve surgical care , somehow I.J.S. lost its way and became irregular in its publication, when Dr R.K. Gandhi took its command to improve it. Dr. (Mrs.) Deshmukh took over from Dr. R.K. Gandhi in 1995 and tried to improve with regular publication. Dr. T. Udawadia took as Chairman in 1998 and was also the first elected Chairman/Editor in 2001. He has a vision to take the help of a private publisher and improve it scientifically as publishing journal became a speciality in itself, leaving editing only to the Editorial Board. I am involved with I.J.S. since 1992, as a member of Editorial Board till 2000 and then Joint Editor from 2001 to 2003 and Chairman/Editor 2004 onwards. Journey is long with lots of high tides and turbulences in its smooth running, but Dr. R.K. Gandhi, Dr. (Mrs.) Deshmukh and Dr. Udawadia worked hard to get it published with available sources and contents. Medknow Publications started publication in 2002 and helped IJS to develop systematic working with modern electronic and I.T. techniques developing I.J.S. website working module. It changed the editorial processing dramatically with excess to different parts and smooth timely publication of IJS. This helped us to look ahead to compete with international Journals and involve International publisher. Search and wide communications helped to make contacts with Springer’s officials in 2006, approved by EB and GC of ASI to start publication from 2007 onwards. Springer cooperated at all steps to publish journal uninterrupted with quality improvement year by year. A new look Journal, attracted more articles even from other countries. Members expectation grew and wanted its Indexing in Pub Med. Proper application was made in 2003, and was rejected in 2004. As per Pub Med rules, next application can be only made after 3 years. Editorial Board Members worked hard to get better quality articles, more number of articles, and added new chapters to give I.J.S. a new look and in real, mouth piece of Indian Surgical field with improved publication qualities.
I.J.S. and Springer developed a working system of Editor Workflow and Springer workflow through I.J.S./Springer Website, with all submission electronically and its further disposition through Editorial Manager/Secretary. It is working well with few electronic related problem of minor nature. e-I.J.S. started in 2009 and well accepted worldwide. It is published in time and reaches members who have registered About 13000 hard copies are distributed with less than 1% complaints of not getting it. e-IJS is the solution for far long places difficult to reach by post/courier. e-I.J.S. is available and well accepted internationally. Our members are still not tuned for e-I.J.S. in lieu of hard copies. At present members are getting both version once registered for e-I.J.S. along with other Journal bouquet from Springer. Gradually, once majority accept e-I.J.S. and no hard copy, more online access to other Springer journals and other publications will be made available free.
Article Submission—Gradually the total submission became online with software system giving all necessary information to Editor/Reviewer and Author to trace their articles at any time. My job changed from 2004—handling thousands of papers to paperless in 2008 and ease of communication and decision making. In 2004, articles submitted were 306 and average numbers of pages were 36 to 42, while in 2006 it increased, submission-552, pages 50 to 60, and in 2009 submission-720, pages 70 to 90, and in 20010 submission-875, pages 80 to 96 with increase number of Original and Review articles from 4–5 to 10–14 per issue.
In 2010 we had received 875 articles, original and review articles-233, while case reports, images-585. Average of 12 to 15 original review/ editorial/ techniques are published each issues. Case reports are restricted to 5 to 8 only. This year special issue of case report published but still 150 accepted articles of case reports, pending publication.
As per International accepted trends and important criterion of Indexing Services, Case Reports are discouraged, and should be minimum of 2 to 3, unusual in true sense with some message to learn. We face a big problem of compromising this with expectations of our members as 65% of our articles are Case reports (Acceptance rate 22%). A more pragmatic approach to solve this problem of case reports publication will be taken to keep international norms.
In last 3 years our articles are getting attention of world viewers and readers. Full text report has jumped from 1787 (2008) to 16822 (2010). T.O.C. alerts have also gone up from 1144 (2008) to 11364 (2010) and more is needed from our members. Full text demand is from all over the world, including USA 11%, European Union 15%, and Asia Pacific 53%. Similarly Full Text article requests has gone up from 1787(2008) to 16822 (2010).
I.J.S./Electronic version/ hard copies are accessed in more than 7000 institutions with good remuneration to I.J.S.. I.J.S. got for the first time Royalty money of Rs. 3,90,604 in 2008, which further increased to Rs. 15,74,347 in 2009 and Rs. 25,70,326 in 2010.
I.J.S. impact factor of 2010 is 0.075, and is 4th among all journals published by Springer from India. This factor is visualized now in 2010, following increase in number of Citation of articles (5 in 2008 to 18 in 2010). This impact factor is low but I.J.S. is now in the field to judge its academic acceptance and improve in future.
Pub-Med Indexing—Indexing is an important factor in judging Journal standing, status and acceptance universally by different recognized Institutions. Highest recognized body in Electronic publications—Thompson Ltd., now I.S.I. and more than 20 such agencies have recognized I.J.S. with good remarks. My dream, along with expectations of all members of ASI has come true now. I.J.S. is indexed in Pub Med Central. Progress is a continuous process and many more goals to achieve. In this world of stiff competition, we have to maintain this discipline of working to improve number of citation articles and impact factor.
Special issues—I.J.S. will be publishing two special issues in 2012. January/February 2012 issue will be on Gestro-Intestinal Surgery and May/June 2012 issue will be on Critical Surgical Procedures.
I.J.S. Constitution has been approved in Editorial Board and Governing Council and passed in G.B. in 2010. Main features are (1) One Tenure of 6 years to all members including Chief Editor. (2) Half number of Editorial Board Members except Chief Editor will be elected every 3 years for one tenure of 6 years only on rotation basis. (3) Academic/Publication and experience in Journal publications are necessary qualifications for contesting I.J.S. election. It will take its legal course as per ASI constitution to become effective.
Let us come together, work together, learn together, to make article writing an easy process to cover immense scientific material available at all levels including peripheral, rural hospitals, Medical College Hospitals and multi speciality institutions. ASI in general and I.J.S. in particular should hold Workshops/Lectures/ Symposium on Article Writing and Reviewing of articles, to make members aware of this as a speciality in writing articles more scientifically. Academic matter turned into article writing is very specific and scientific subject in itself. Do not neglect it and prove yourself to the expectation of our members and scientific community in general.
We rejoice I.J.S. being indexed in Pub-Med Central, and more so our enlightened colleagues will have no hesitation to submit their articles to I.J.S. and improve citation articles and impact factor a need of the time.
S. Shukla
Chairman/Editor
Indian Journal Of Surgery