Fourteen new applications for recognition also being processed
Ten journals recommended for recognition, some asked to reapply
while a few cases deferred for further assessment
Proper Peer-Review, timely regular publication, following ICMJE Guidelines on Authorship, timeline for publications are essential requirments for recognition
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Medical & Dental Council Journals Evaluation Committee met here on August 7th under the chairmanship of Prof. Khalid Masood Gondal who has now taken over as the Chairman of the committee. Those who were physically present included Prof. Major Gen. Muhammad Aslam, Prof. Tahmina Asad, Prof. S.H.Waqar, Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid and Prof. Akhtar Sherin. Registrar of PM&DC Dr. Shaista and Dr. Rukhsana Nisar in charge of Journals Section were also present. Prof. Jamshed Akhtar, Prof. Saira Afzal and Prof. Nabiha attended the meeting on zoom from Karachi, Lahore and Quetta respectively.
Prof. Khalid Masood Gondal chairing the meeting of the PM&DC Journals Committee at PMDC offices in Islamabad on August 7th 2024.
The committee discussed in detail the assessment and evaluation report of twenty journals and based on the report of the evaluators, decided to recommend cases of ten journals for recognition. Application of one journal was rejected because it has used factious Impact Factor on its title, few were asked to reapply after six months after rectification of the deficiencies while a few cases were also deffered for further discussion and evaluation. Fourteen journals which included a few new ones while others related to renewal were assigned to three experts each and in order to ensure transparency and objectivity, they were assigned to experts not from the same province. One of the major problem noted was lack of peer review. Unfortunately some of the editors of journals being published for the last twenty to thirty years do not understand the concept of peer review correctly. It is not the one page Performa with Yes or No tick marks but each manuscript is expected to be reviewed by two subject experts. They must identify the shortcomings in the manuscript and give useful suggestions comments which should be helpful for the authors to revise their manuscript to improve its quality. It was further noted that newly launched journals were far better than the old journals as regards peer review as they practice it in letter and spirit which has earned them recognition.
Some of the old journals whose cases are still under consideration and being discussed had major shortcoming of peer review which is either lacking or was substandard. Some journals also had lot of formatting problems while copy editing was lacking in some journals. It was also noted that these journal’s were not following the ICMJE guidelines related to authorship and were promoted gift authorship. Similarily some journals have not provided complete information on their websites including how they manage scientific misconduct.
Group photograph of the PMDC Journals Committee members present in the meeting held on August 7th 2024 shows First row from (L to R) Prof. Maj. Gen. (Retd) Muhammad Aslam, Dr. Shaista Registrar PMDC, Prof. Khalid Masood Gondal (Chairman) Dr. Tahmina Asad and Dr. Rukhsana Nisar. Standing from (L to R) Prof. S.H. Waqar, Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid, Prof. Akhtar Sherin, and staff members from PMDC.
As per requirements any journal applying for recognition must publish at least five original articles in each issue. Each manuscripts must be reviewed by two subject experts and then the authors should be asked to revise it responding to the reviewer’s comments and suggestions before the paper is accepted. The editors must retain these peer review reports for a period of two years. Other important documents required before acceptance include Letter of Undertaking signed by all listed authors and Ethic Committee/Institutional Review Board approval which is a must. Some old journals were found highly deficient in this area. Editors of some journals still under observation were given personal hearing and they were pointed out the deficiencies by looking at their websites.
The participants also welcomed the new Chairman Prof. Khalid Masood Gondal while Dr. Shaista Registrar of PMDC and the chairperson were apprized about the functioning of the committee. Dr. Rukhsana Nisar gave details of over ninety journals which have so far been evaluated. This was the fifth meeting of the committee this year and efforts are being made to dispose of the agenda in time. It was emphasized that the committee does not wish to close or create hurdles for any journal but is determined to ensure transparency in its functioning. Its main objective is to improve standard and quality and ensure that all journals practice peer review in letter and spirit which is extremely important to ensure quality. Prof. Jamshed Akhtar suggested that some journals do not have required trained staff hence they can outsource and get these services of copy editing and peer review.
Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid emphasized that minutes of the meeting must be approved by the Council as early as possible so that the authors and journals editors do not have to wait for too long. All those journals whose recognition has expired in September 2024 were required to apply for renewal immediately. Prof.Akhtar Sherin explained in detail to one of the editors who was given personal hearing about the deficiencies in the journal which were related to peer review as well as formatting besides gift authorship was highly prevalent. The editors are required to ensure that ICMJE criteria for authorship is adhered to and each manuscript must have someone ready to take responsibility for intellectual integrity of the studies. The manuscript must also have timeline of publication, follow ICMJE authorship guidelines and COPE guidelines regarding scientific misconduct.
The members reiterated their resolve to act as facilitator rather than obstructionists but it was made clear that there can be no compromise on quality and standards. The committee commended the contributions made by the former Chairman Prof. Shoaib Shafi and Madam Rukhsana Nisar in efficiently coordinating the committee meetings which have been quite productive and disposed of many pending cases in record time. Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid on behalf of PAME thanked the CPSP administration and Council for helping them in conducting the training sessions, courses, providing venue and other facilities for candidates during their internship training at Karachi which has played a vital role in promoting the discipline of medical journalism in Pakistan.
CPSP had earlier played a key role in the organization of EMAME EMMJ5 Medical Journals Conference at Karachi in December 2010 for which PAME is highly indebted to CPSP and wishes to put it on record which was appreciated by Prof. Khalil Masood Gondal and it was decided to make it a part of the minutes of the meeting. Transparency in the functioning of the committee and ensuring that decisions are taken on merit has remained a focal point in all committee deliberations. It was also suggested by members that training courses, workshops for editors and editorial staff initiated must be continued and next meeting should be planned in Karachi, Peshawar and Rawalpndi/Islamabad. Prof. Khalil Masood Gondal thanked the committee members and wished that the minutes of the meeting should be prepared and circulated among members before they are sent to the Council for approval. Dr. Shaista also briefly addressed the participants and assured all possible help and assistance to the committee members.
Prof. Major Gen. Muhammad Aslam, Prof. Akhtar Sherin and Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid also called on the President of PM&DC Prof Rizwan Taj in his office and thanked him and the Council for facilitation. The President also appreciated the functioning of the committee.
