Challenges of Medical Journal Publication: A Case of Medical College Journal in Northern Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh experiences unique challenges in publishing medical research in peer-reviewed and high-impact international and national journals. These challenges arise from several factors, including a lack of healthcare professionals, limited research funding, and a lack of mentorship for aspiring researchers. Additionally, the language barrier, particularly with English as the predominant language of scientific communication, poses a significant obstacle. Consequently, Bangladeshi researchers often struggle to meet the rigorous standards and competitive landscape of international journals. TMSS Medical College Journal (TMCJ) Bogura, Bangladesh has also been experiencing some challenges since it was started in July 2013. Therefore, based on the TMCJ own experience, this qualitative study was designed to explore the challenges of medical journal publication. Study participants were journal editors, advisors, editorial board members, and authors of TMCJ. The journal and participants were selected purposively. This study found a lack of quality research papers for publishing every issue of the journal due to a lack of well-written methodology, analysis, findings, proper citation, and language. One of the journal editors mentioned that “We are not receiving a sufficient number of manuscripts, and those we do receive are not publishable”. By overcoming these barriers, not only TMCJ, but also Bangladesh can enhance global medical knowledge, training on medical writing, and improve healthcare outcomes for its populations.