Greetings to the readers of the “Indian Journal of Medical Specialities”. It is my proud privilege to communicate to all in the capacity of Editor-in- Chief of Indian Journal of Medical Specialities. The foremost question that comes to the mind is why exactly a journal is required and specifically, what is the need for this particular journal. Apart from the need to share scientific developments and communicate scientifically, there is a felt-need to have a multidisciplinary journal. In the era of superspeciality, wherein the stress is on knowing finer points, gradually the broad base or the foundation stone of Medicine is being eroded. The art of history taking and eliciting clinical signs is fading, in turn giving way to superficiality and the no-touch technique of examining patients. Medical education is deteriorating no ends and with this feeling, we are bringing out the first issue of the Indian Journal of Medical Specialities, an all-encompassing journal, which shall include inputs from all specialities; and articles of all hue and colour- original articles, review articles, clinical vignettes, case reports, debates, revisiting clinical signs, clinical or radiological/pictorial quiz, postgraduate and undergraduate clinics, brief communications, letters to the editor, etc. An important highlight will be the emphasis on undergraduate and postgraduate education . There are very few such multidisciplinary medical scientific journals and I hope this journal shall fill that void. This journal shall cater to all sections of the medical community and specially the undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Another reason why I felt the need for this journal was the great void that is perceptible between the research being done and the research being published from India. The need to publish in indexed journals and the difficulty in getting the articles published for various reasons is disheartening. I recall my personal experience close to two decades back, where it took two years to get my first article published. Though times have changed, I am witnessing that younger generation is paying through their noses to get their articles published. Through this journal which is being started in both print and online versions, it will be the endeavour of the Editorial Board to provide expeditious review in 4-6 weeks time and the accepted articles shall appear online immediately. The online version will be a continuously updated one, though the print version will be brought out biannually.

Despite the ever-increasing number of medical colleges in India and so many postgraduate dissertations being accepted annually, published works are few. This multidisciplinary journal will offer an avenue for these dissertations to be published, more so since the Medical Council of India has made publication mandatory before appearing for postgraduate final examinations and for faculty promotions. A salient feature will be the Undergraduate Publication corner wherein research works of undergraduate students will be published.“Undergraduate Student Editors” have been included for this purpose.

The Editorial Board is by-and-large a friendly one and is easily approachable and accessible. The journal will have a policy of double-blinded peer review for all articles. I request the readers to provide critical and constructive suggestions so as to ensure that we keep improving with time. On behalf of the Editorial Board of “Indian Journal of Medical Specialities”, I extend to the readers a warm welcome and promise that this journal will live up to the expectations of its readers and the scientific community.

Anupam Prakash
Editor-in-Chief
Indian Journal of Medical Specialities