Investigation On Strategies For The Development Of Medical Digest Publications In China

BACKGROUNDChinese Medical Digest series is approved by the China Science and Technology Information Publication Committee, which is a series of searchable biomedical digest periodical with total of 18 journals (including two in English, namely Internal Medicine and Surgery). Covering most of subjects, it has made lots of contribution to the progress in biomedical fields in China. However with the development of the information technology, literature databases are more and more popular. The existence necessity of such series publications was questioned. As a result, most publications in the series have been changed into primary literature magazines. In the meantime, a few of publications still keep their original aims and continue being as digest journals.OBJECTIVETo explore a suitable model for the development of retrievable traditional Chinese medical journal by investigating the current status of Chinese medical digest magazines.METHOD1 The survey and analysis on the publication situationInformation on the current status of the medical digest journals in China was investigated by telephone interview, questionnaire, direct interviews, online survey, and convening expert forum.2 Typical cases analysisTwo to three representative publications were selected to do case study. The characteristics of their column design, content selection, advertising arrangements, etc. were analyzed.3 Comparative studiesOne well-run digest magazine that was transformed into primary literature journal and another medical digest that has ceased publication were chosen to carry out the comparative study.4 Analysis on the relationship between full-text databases and digest magazinesThe impacts of full-text databases on the digest magazines were analyzed to clarify the advantages and value of digest publications.5 Analysis on the trend of the development of medical digest magazinesInformation obtained from survey and expert forum was analyzed to study the trend of the development of medical digest magazines.RESULTS1 Current situation of all 18 Chinese Medical Digests1.1 Transformed to primary literature magazineThere are totally 10 medical digest magazines that have transformed into primary literature journals and changed titles since 2006. Among them, Chinese Medical Digest: basic medicine was renamed as Chinese Evidence-Based Pediatrics in May 2006, and Chinese Medical Digest: basic medicine:internal medicine changed into Internal Medicine of China in August 2006. Also, there were 8 magazines was renamed in 2009, including Chinese Medical Digest Pediatrics (now Chinese Pediatrics of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine), Chinese Medical Digest Diagnostic Radiology (now Research of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine), Chinese Medical Digest Family Planning & Gynecotokology (now Chinese Journal of Family Planning & Gynecotokology), Chinese Medical Digest Nursing (now Chinese Clinical Nursing), Chinese Medical Abstracts Laboratory Technologies & Clinical Medicine (now Journal of Contemporary Urologic and Reproductive Oncology), Chinese Medical Abstracts Geriatrics (now Chinese Journal of New Clinical Medicine), Journal of Chinese Medical Abstracts Oncology (now Cancer Prevention and Treatment in China), and Chinese Medical Digest Surgery {now Chinese Journal of Surgical Oncology).1.2 Ceased or temporarily stopped publicationChinese Medical Digest Ophthalmology ceased publication in 2002. Section Hygiene Chinese Medical Abstracts was temporarily stopped publication for one year in 2009.1.3 Keep on running in their original formThere are still 6 magazines in the series of Chinese Medical Digest that continue editing, publishing and distributing as their originals. They are China Medical Abstracts Surgery, China Medical Abstracts Internal Medicine, China Medical Abstract of Dermatology, China Medical Abstracts Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chinese Medical Digest Otorhinolaryngology and China Medical Abstracts Stomatology.2 Analysis of the Reasons of TransitionThe development of science and technology journals reflects the situation of academic activities in related fields.18 Medical Digest published in China cover almost all subjects in medicine. In recent years, with the development of science and technology and improvement of research methods, and with the modernization pace speeded up of basic and clinical research of TCM, the amount of papers on such related TCM research increased drastically. It is incapable for printing journals with only dozens or hundreds of pages to load all those information. In the meantime, full-text databases of journal articles cover more and more journals. Internet online search is more and more popular in medical professionals when they are trying to find information. Therefore, the historic mission of most medical abstracts journals have accomplished. And the majority of journals in the digest series have been changed into primary one. In this way, it is more useful not only for providing an information exchange platform for medical researchers and the advertising management.3 Specialty of Chinese Medicine DigestVarious measures should be taken for the different digest journals in different disciplines. In the past 60 years, especially in recent 31 years, the development of traditional Chinese medicine has undergone profound changes. Facing a new situation, new features, new opportunities, and the favorable factors and conditions unprecedented, Traditional Chinese medicine encounters a rare opportunity for development.76% of the rural hospitals in China have set up the department of TCM and pharmacy of Chinese Herbs. The projects on TCM technology suitable for common diseases have covered all the counties both in central and western of China, where Digest magazine are still playing a role as a library. Since the advent of "Collected comment of the doctor in Wu Country" in 1792, the first magazine of TCM in China, the traditional medical journals play an important role in the medical academic communication and spreading in different historical periods. The fact, that Chinese Medical Digest of TCM had a good circulation, imply the majority of people trust Chinese medicine and the huge space for TCM to develop.CONCLUSIONChinese Medical Digest of TCM could be held continuously. However, it should persist in the direction of comprehensive (contains information extensively), convenient (easy to read and retrieve), and timely (short publication cycle). It should deliver to the world the latest research information of TCM, report in time the new theories, new results, new experiences and new technologies in the field of TCM research.