Journal of Midlife Health: The first bibliometric analysis.

Journal of Midlife Health, in existence for 2½ years, has been working to disseminate information and research in the field of midlife health, including menopause management. This bibliometric review aimed to assess the coverage of this journal across article types, country, and specialty of origin. An online analysis of all the published articles from 2011 to July 2012 was carried out by the authors. Datas collected were analyzed by descriptive statistics. The journal has succeeded in ensuring broad-based, comprehensive, multidisciplinary coverage of midlife health-related issues, as shown by the variety of types of articles published, the emphasis on original articles, the international authorship, and the wide spectrum of medical and surgical specialties covered.

INTRODUCTION

The Journal of Midlife Health (JMH), the official journal of the Indian Menopause society (IMS), is a trailblazer in many ways. The voice of the IMS, is one of the first few Indian gynecology journals to have achieved Pubmed indexing. JMH has been working as a platform for Indian researches not only in gynecology, but also in other specialties. While doing so, it has created a niche for menopause management as a separate specialty, within, yet beyond, the frontiers of gynecology. At the same time, researchers and clinicians outside India, who use JMH to publish their data and share experiences with colleagues across the world, patronize it.

Thus, JMH knows no boundaries, neither of academic specialty, nor of geography. As JMH completes an editorial innings,[1] an objective analysis of its performance over the first 2½ years of its life is in order. This bibliometric analysis will analyze the current strengths and weaknesses of JMH, and help prepare the journal fulfill its role as the champion of midlife health related issues. Similar bibliometric analyses of other journals[2-4] have been published, and have corrective measures to improve their impact, as evidenced by their e-visibility.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All online issues of JMH (2010 to July 2012) were read by all the four authors, each article was graded according to category subspecialty, and the country of origin. In case of discrepancy regarding classification, the issues were solved by mutual consensus amongst authors. Data was tabulated. No statistical tests were performed, as no "control" journal of similar age could be found in the field of midlife health. Descriptive analysis was performed, and is presented below. Sixty-four articles, belonging to the major categories, were analyzed for the purpose of this review, Guidelines, journal scan, book review, IMS News and editor's comment were excluded.

RESULTS

JMH has been in existence, both in print and online, since 2010. Three volumes, comprising of 5 issues, containing 72 articles, have been published so far (October 2012). The journal has published 72 articles in 13 different categories. Some of these categories (journal feedback, guidelines, journal scan, book review, IMS News and editor's comment) were discontinued after the inaugural year. The current issues carry editorials, review articles, original articles, case reports, viewpoints, and letter to the editor (six categories).

Maximum number of manuscripts published by JMH are original articles (21/72), followed by case reports (12/72), editorials (10/72), and review articles (10/72) [Table 1].

Table 1

Article categories in journal of midlife health 2010-2012 July

Most articles are from India, but Nigeria, Iran, Thailand, and New Zealand have contributed their bit in making the journal a global one. The Indian diaspora does not seem to have published in JMH yet.

JMH has tried to maintain a holistic, multispecialty character, as is evident from the number of subjects covered by the articles [Table 2].

Table 2

Specialty coverage in journal of midlife health 2010-2012 July

While most editorials (5/10) have been of a general nature, the editors have discussed gynecology, metabolic syndrome, bone health and oral health in their pen-(wo)man-ship.

Review articles have covered topics related to gynecology (1/10), oral health (2/10), yoga and exercise (2/10), urology (1/10), surgery (1/10), and endocrinology (1/10) in equal measure.

Original articles have focused on the work in gynecology (7/21, metabolic syndrome including diabetes (5/21), bone health (5/21), and psychiatry (2/21), among others.

Most case reports to gynecology (9/12) with viewpoints, brief communications and letters/feedback have a more generalized distribution.

Overall, maximum articles have concerned gynecology (19/64 analysed), general issues (11/64), metabolic syndrome including diabetes (9/64) and bone health (7/64).

DISCUSSION

The bibliometry of JMH has highlighted certain interesting and pertinent findings. The editors of JMH have strived to project the multidisciplinary character of mid-life health, and maintain a multi faceted personality of the journal. Allowing publications in a wide variety of formats, JMH has portrayed an all-inclusive image. Maximum page length has been devoted to original articles, acknowledging the importance of research work on this field. Case reports have been given priority as well, underscoring the value from this method of knowledge sharing.

JMH has received, and published contributions, including original research, from various continents, thus showing its global appeal.

Most editorial has been of a general nature, emphasizing the editor's role in establishing mid-life health’ and menopause management, as independent medicosurgical specialities with a distinct identity of their own. The editorials, review articles and original articles have covered a wide variety of subjects, including psychiatry and dentistry. This broad coverage reflects the open as well as the vast spectrum and challenges of mid-life health.

Case reports published by JMH have pertained mainly to gynaecology, but have also touched upon endocrinology (adrenal, thyroid) and surgery (breast) morbidity.

Certain subjects such as the basic science, ophthalmology, otology, and public health, are yet to make a mark in the JMH. Para clinical disciplines like pharmacology and microbiology do find coverage in the journal, though articles have been classified according to clinical domains by the authors.

CONCLUSION

Similar bibliometric analysis have been performed for other Indian and international journals,[2-4] and have helped the editors improve the quality of their journals. This analysis of JMH highlights the broad and comprehensive coverage of mid-life health, ensured by the diligent editorial team. It also appreciates the hard work put in by them to ensure a multinational representation of authors, using a wide variety of article categories to attract talent. The findings of this bibliometry will serve as a benchmark for future comparisons of this, as well as other, related journals.