|
Indian Journal of Surgery
Medknow Publications on behalf of Association of Surgeons of India
ISSN: 0972-2068
Vol. 68, Num. 4, 2006, pp. 234-234
|
Indian Journal of Surgery, Vol. 68, No. 4, July-August, 2006, pp. 234
Letter To Editor
Authors' qualifications in IJS
Bhattacharya Kaushik
Department of Surgery, Subham Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Cooch Behar - 736 101, West Bengal
Correspondence Address:Department of Surgery, Subham Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Cooch Behar - 736 101, West Bengal Email:
kaushik_srmc@rediffmail.com
Code Number: is06064
Sir, As we are witnessing the progress of the Indian Journal of Surgery (IJS), it is quite heartening to see various authors′ contributions across the globe in the journal. In this context, I appeal to the editorial board to consider if the qualification of the principal author or co-authors can be quoted for the benefit of the readers. When one reads an article, one invariably looks not only at the title of the article and the institution from where it came but also the name of the authors and their qualifications. The reader can determine if the author is a qualified surgeon, a postgraduate trainee or a medical student. It may not bring down the importance of the article in any way, but will certainly validate an article given the international reach of most journals. The reader may also determine if the author is a paramedical person, a non - surgical scientific researcher or a specialist of a different stream (maxillofacial or ENT surgeon, etc.).
In the current ′medicolegal ′age, the readers can also decide, based on the qualification of the author, whether to adopt a new technique in his practice.
I personally feel that quoting author qualification may diminish, if not eliminate, duplicate and salami publication.
Finally, I quote Ian Francis from the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery -" if the qualifications of the author are indicated, the reader may be quite sure that the article was not written by the local hospital medical records librarian, let alone the hospital trolley boy in a moment of inspiration."[1]
References
1. | Francis IC. ANZ Journal of Surgery: Authors' qualifications. ANZ J Surg 2001;71: 382. Back to cited text no. 1 |
Copyright 2006 - Indian Journal of Surgery
|