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Authors are the souls of any journal, and deserve much respect. To publish a journal manuscripts are needed from authors. Authors have a great responsibility for producing facts of their work in terms of number and results truthfully and an individual honesty is expected from authors in this regards. Both ways its true "No authors-No manuscripts-No journals" and "No journals–No manuscripts–No authors". Reviewing a manuscript is also a very responsible and important task of any peer-reviewed journal and to be taken seriously. It needs knowledge on the subject, sincerity, honesty and determination. Although the process of reviewing a manuscript is a time consuming task butit is expected to give one's best remarks within the time frame of the journal.
Salient features of the JCDR: It is a biomedical, multidisciplinary (including all medical and dental specialities), e-journal, with wide scope and extensive author support. At the same time, a free text of manuscript is available in HTML and PDF format. There is fast growing authorship and readership with JCDR as this can be judged by the number of articles published in it i e; in Feb 2007 of its first issue, it contained 5 articles only, and now in its recent volume published in April 2011, it contained 67 manuscripts. This e-journal is fulfilling the commitments and objectives sincerely, (as stated by Editor-in-chief in his preface to first edition) i e; to encourage physicians through the internet, especially from the developing countries who witness a spectrum of disease and acquire a wealth of knowledge to publish their experiences to benefit the medical community in patients care. I also feel that many of us have work of substance, newer ideas, adequate clinical materials but poor in medical writing and hesitation to submit the work and need help. JCDR provides authors help in this regards.
Timely publication of journal: Publication of manuscripts and bringing out the issue in time is one of the positive aspects of JCDR and is possible with strong support team in terms of peer reviewers, proof reading, language check, computer operators, etc. This is one of the great reasons for authors to submit their work with JCDR. Another best part of JCDR is "Online first Publications" facilities available for the authors. This facility not only provides the prompt publications of the manuscripts but at the same time also early availability of the manuscripts for the readers.
Indexation and online availability: Indexation transforms the journal in some sense from its local ownership to the worldwide professional community and to the public.JCDR is indexed with Embase & EMbiology, Google Scholar, Index Copernicus, Chemical Abstracts Service, Journal seek Database, Indian Science Abstracts, to name few of them. Manuscriptspublished in JCDR are available on major search engines ie; google, yahoo, msn.
In the era of fast growing newer technologies, and in computer and internet friendly environment the manuscripts preparation, submission, review, revision, etc and all can be done and checked with a click from all corer of the world, at any time. Of course there is always a scope for improvement in every field and none is perfect. To progress, one needs to identify the areas of one's weakness and to strengthen them.
It is well said that "happy beginning is half done" and it fits perfectly with JCDR. It has grown considerably and I feel it has already grown up from its infancy to adolescence, achieving the status of standard online e-journal form Indian continent since its inception in Feb 2007. This had been made possible due to the efforts and the hard work put in it. The way the JCDR is improving with every new volume, with good quality original manuscripts, makes it a quality journal for readers. I must thank and congratulate Dr Hemant Jain, Editor-in-Chief JCDR and his team for their sincere efforts, dedication, and determination for making JCDR a fast growing journal.
Every one of us: authors, reviewers, editors, and publisher are responsible for enhancing the stature of the journal. I wish for a great success for JCDR."
Thanking you
With sincere regards
Dr. Rajendra Kumar Ghritlaharey, M.S., M. Ch., FAIS
Associate Professor,
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Gandhi Medical College & Associated
Kamla Nehru & Hamidia Hospitals Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462 001 (India)
E-mail: drrajendrak1@rediffmail.com
On May 11,2011
Dr. Shankar P.R.
"On looking back through my Gmail archives after being requested by the journal to write a short editorial about my experiences of publishing with the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR), I came across an e-mail from Dr. Hemant Jain, Editor, in March 2007, which introduced the new electronic journal. The main features of the journal which were outlined in the e-mail were extensive author support, cash rewards, the peer review process, and other salient features of the journal.
Over a span of over four years, we (I and my colleagues) have published around 25 articles in the journal. In this editorial, I plan to briefly discuss my experiences of publishing with JCDR and the strengths of the journal and to finally address the areas for improvement.
My experiences of publishing with JCDR: Overall, my experiences of publishing withJCDR have been positive. The best point about the journal is that it responds to queries from the author. This may seem to be simple and not too much to ask for, but unfortunately, many journals in the subcontinent and from many developing countries do not respond or they respond with a long delay to the queries from the authors 1. The reasons could be many, including lack of optimal secretarial and other support. Another problem with many journals is the slowness of the review process. Editorial processing and peer review can take anywhere between a year to two years with some journals. Also, some journals do not keep the contributors informed about the progress of the review process. Due to the long review process, the articles can lose their relevance and topicality. A major benefit with JCDR is the timeliness and promptness of its response. In Dr Jain's e-mail which was sent to me in 2007, before the introduction of the Pre-publishing system, he had stated that he had received my submission and that he would get back to me within seven days and he did!
Most of the manuscripts are published within 3 to 4 months of their submission if they are found to be suitable after the review process. JCDR is published bimonthly and the accepted articles were usually published in the next issue. Recently, due to the increased volume of the submissions, the review process has become slower and it ?? Section can take from 4 to 6 months for the articles to be reviewed. The journal has an extensive author support system and it has recently introduced a paid expedited review process. The journal also mentions the average time for processing the manuscript under different submission systems - regular submission and expedited review.
Strengths of the journal: The journal has an online first facility in which the accepted manuscripts may be published on the website before being included in a regular issue of the journal. This cuts down the time between their acceptance and the publication. The journal is indexed in many databases, though not in PubMed. The editorial board should now take steps to index the journal in PubMed. The journal has a system of notifying readers through e-mail when a new issue is released. Also, the articles are available in both the HTML and the PDF formats. I especially like the new and colorful page format of the journal. Also, the access statistics of the articles are available. The prepublication and the manuscript tracking system are also helpful for the authors.
Areas for improvement: In certain cases, I felt that the peer review process of the manuscripts was not up to international standards and that it should be strengthened. Also, the number of manuscripts in an issue is high and it may be difficult for readers to go through all of them. The journal can consider tightening of the peer review process and increasing the quality standards for the acceptance of the manuscripts. I faced occasional problems with the online manuscript submission (Pre-publishing) system, which have to be addressed.
Overall, the publishing process with JCDR has been smooth, quick and relatively hassle free and I can recommend other authors to consider the journal as an outlet for their work."
Dr. P. Ravi Shankar
KIST Medical College, P.O. Box 14142, Kathmandu, Nepal.
E-mail: ravi.dr.shankar@gmail.com
On April 2011 Anuradha
Dear team JCDR, I would like to thank you for the very professional and polite service provided by everyone at JCDR. While i have been in the field of writing and editing for sometime, this has been my first attempt in publishing a scientific paper.Thank you for hand-holding me through the process.
Dr. Anuradha
E-mail: anuradha2nittur@gmail.com
On Jan 2020
Letter to Editor
Full Version
Empowering Medical Education: Unveiling the Significance of Dissection Competitions and Self-directed Learning
Correspondence Address :
Dr. Neelesh Kanasker,
Professor, Department of Anatomy, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Pimpri, Pune-411018, Maharashtra, India.
E-mail: neeleshkanaskar@gmail.com
Dear Editor,
I am writing to share an extraordinary event that unfolded at Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College and Hospital, Pune, on August 28, 2023-A series of groundbreaking competitive dissections.
The competition, meticulously organised, brought together first-year MBBS students who were divided into teams and were assigned an anatomical region such as the gluteal region, the popliteal fossa, the brachial plexus, etc. Inspired by recent research in medical education, which emphasises the evolving landscape of medical education, the event incorporated teaching strategies aligned specifically with the principles of active and self-regulated learning (1). These strategies, such as the allotment of specific anatomical regions to present along with judges from surgical expertise that followed-up with questions based on case scenarios, move beyond traditional methods of knowledge transmission to empower students as active participants in their learning journey. By encouraging tasks like the dissection of a given region on a cadaver, along with encouraging the participants to trace the most number of important vessels or nerves seen in that region, the competition embraced a learner-centered approach that resonates with the changing dynamics of medical education (2).
During the competition, participants were not only tasked with dissecting cadavers but were also required to present their findings in innovative and creative ways. One group of students ingeniously utilised threads of different colours pinned to a piece of wooden board to demonstrate the intricate structure of the brachial plexus. By strategically placing the threads and using varying colours, they effectively highlighted the individual nerve pathways and their relationships within the plexus, offering a visual representation that enhanced understanding for both their peers and the judges.
In another instance, a different group of students opted for a tactile approach by creating a multilayered model of the popliteal fossa. This model accurately depicted the boundaries and contents of the fossa, with each layer representing different anatomical structures. By utilising this three-dimensional representation, they provided a hands-on learning experience that allowed viewers to interact with and better comprehend the spatial relationships of the anatomical elements within the popliteal fossa. These examples showcase the students’ creativity and ingenuity in effectively communicating complex anatomical concepts. By employing unconventional presentation methods such as colourful thread diagrams and tactile models, the participants not only demonstrated their understanding of the material but also engage their audience in a memorable and impactful manner. Such innovative approaches not only enhance learning outcomes but also foster a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of anatomical structures among both students and educators alike, aligning with the findings that such engaging approaches enhance student retention and application of knowledge (1),(2). The judging criteria, firmly grounded in the principles of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and Team-Based Learning (TBL), ensured that the participants’ understanding went beyond mere memorisation (2). Judges evaluated not only the quality of cadaveric presentations but also the practical application of anatomical knowledge by cross-examining the participants with questions that inclined toward the surgical aspects emphasising the importance of any vessel/nerve/space. This approach, as corroborated by the findings, ensures that participants were not only knowledgeable but could also apply their knowledge effectively. Such criteria align with the need for medical education to prioritise evidence of achievement and competence over rote memorisation (1),(2),(3). The event not only showcased the students’ aptitude for self-regulated learning but also highlighted the transformative impact of active learning methods. The shift from a teacher-centered to a learner-centered approach, as witnessed in various studies, was evident in the students’ proactive involvement and ownership of their learning process (3),(4). In conclusion, events like the dissection competition are pivotal in reshaping the future of medical education. By embracing innovative teaching methodologies with a dedicated emphasis on active and self-regulated learning, educators pave the way for a more efficient and effective learning environment. These initiatives not only enhance anatomical knowledge but also contribute significantly to the development of essential skills, such as creativity, critical thinking, and effective communication-all vital for the medical professionals of tomorrow (3),(4),(5).
Anatomical structures, Cadaver, Learner-centered approach
Authors would like to acknowledge the Department of Anatomy, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre that made this event possible.
DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2024/69355.19390
Date of Submission: Dec 30, 2023
Date of Peer Review: Feb 16, 2024
Date of Acceptance: Mar 08, 2024
Date of Publishing: May 01, 2024
AUTHOR DECLARATION:
• Financial or Other Competing Interests: None
• Was informed consent obtained from the subjects involved in the study? No
• For any images presented appropriate consent has been obtained from the subjects. No
PLAGIARISM CHECKING METHODS:
• Plagiarism X-checker: Dec 30, 2023
• Manual Googling: Mar 04, 2024
• iThenticate Software: Mar 06, 2024 (5%)
ETYMOLOGY: Author Origin
EMENDATIONS: 5
- Emerging Sources Citation Index (Web of Science, thomsonreuters)
- Index Copernicus ICV 2017: 134.54
- Academic Search Complete Database
- Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
- Embase
- EBSCOhost
- Google Scholar
- HINARI Access to Research in Health Programme
- Indian Science Abstracts (ISA)
- Journal seek Database
- Popline (reproductive health literature)
- www.omnimedicalsearch.com