Interview: Dr. Raoul Kamadjeu - The PAMJ moves to reduce the number of articles published in the categories Case Report and Images in Clinical Medicine

Interview: Dr. Raoul Kamadjeu - The PAMJ moves to reduce the number of articles published in the categories Case Report and Images in Clinical Medicine

We interviewed the Managing editor of the Pan African Medical Journal – Dr. Raoul Kamadjeu on a recent decision by the journal to limit the number of articles published in the PAMJ in the categories Case Report and Images in Clinical Medicine.

Dr. Raoul Kamadjeu Managing editor of the Pan African Medical Journal

Dear Dr. Kamadjeu, thank you for speaking with us.

Why has the PAMJ decided to limit the number of articles published in the PAMJ in the categories Case Report and Images in Clinical Medicine?

 We are just receiving too many submissions in these two categories. Over the past few weeks, we have seen a drastic increase in the number of manuscripts submitted to the Pan African Medical Journal as Case Reports (CR) and Images in Clinical Medicine (ICM). Just to give you a figure, since the beginning of the year alone, more than 300 manuscripts were submitted in these two categories.  Although we appreciate the trust of authors, we cannot really consider all these submissions. We don’t want to turn the PAMJ into a journal of clinical medicine given that it is a journal of multidisciplinary research.  

How do you explain the surge of manuscripts in these categories?

I can’t tell for sure. We know that research in developing countries is very much underfunded. So, in Africa and in many other places in the world, researchers tend to work on what they can afford, and not what should be researched. Clinical medicine is a quick way to get published at a low cost; it is simpler to write a case report, take a picture, and submit it for consideration. We have also noticed an increase in submissions from Southeast Asia, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and even China. They mostly submit in clinical medicine.

You say you want to drastically decrease the number of articles published in these categories. What do you mean by decreasing drastically?

That’s a good question. We have considered completely canceling submissions in these areas, but we are not there yet. For now, we will still consider submissions in those categories, however, we will accept only outstanding case reports and images of great educational value, well documented and explained. Most case reports and images in clinical medicine will be rejected by the PAMJ and authors will be redirected to submit their case reports or images to the PAMJ Clinical Medicine; a journal dedicated to clinical medicine.

What does that mean to existing submissions in these categories?

Existing submissions in the categories Case Report and Images in Clinical Medicine will still be reviewed. In most cases, we will invite authors to consider the PAMJ Clinical Medicine, a good alternative with no limitation in place. Only outstanding submissions will be considered for publication in the PAMJ.

Any final words to authors wishing to publish in these categories?

We really appreciate the trust. We have received more than 6000 submissions last year, from more than 92 countries. We invite authors willing to submit case reports and images to consider PAMJ Clinical Medicine. It has just become more competitive to publish in these categories in the PAMJ.

Thank you!