Two changes in the editorial process along the way of continuous improvement
Abstract
As of this edition, the Medical Journal of Uruguay incorporates two novelties linked to peer review and the publication itself.
Both try to contribute to the process of continuous improvement of the journal, raising its quality standards and maximum transparency in the relationships between the various actors of a scientific publication: readers, authors, referees and research sponsors.
Regarding peer review or arbitration, it is necessary to point out that the Medical Journal of Uruguay is the pioneering national biomedical publication in its implementation, which has been the main basis for its recognition and acceptance within and outside borders (1-3 ). This policy - which has been consolidated and deepened over the past 25 years - included the incorporation of numerous foreign arbitrators of the highest scientific level.
Until now, the reviewer process was anonymous, while the author did not know the identity of the experts who commented, proposed modifications or rejected their work. This anonymity constitutes an essential guarantee so that the review can be carried out in the most free and foreign form of pressure that is possible. The novelty is that from now on the anonymity of the author regarding the reviewer will be added. This measure seeks to reduce to the minimum expression possible biases - both positive and negative - that may arise under the preconception of a reviewer regarding an author.
The other novelty refers to conflicts of interest, a problem that the Editorial Board has given the attention it deserves (4,5).
References
(2) Folle LE. Arbitraje en la Revista Médica del Uruguay. Su importancia, propósitos y alcances. Rev Méd Urug 1997; 13(3): 147-8.
(3) Montalbán A. Los 25 años de Revista Médica del Uruguay. Rev Méd Urug 1999; 15(3): 163-4.
(4) Rotondo T. Relaciones profesionales: conflictos de intereses. Rev Méd Urug 2006; 22(2): 88-99.
(5) Cópolla F. Conflicto de intereses. Rev Méd Urug 2007; 23(1): 3-6.
(6) Comité Internacional de Editores de Revistas Médicas. Requisitos de uniformidad para manuscritos enviados a revistas biomédicas: Redacción y preparación de la edición de una publicación biomédica. Disponible en: http://www.metodo.uab.es/enlaces/2006%20Requisitos%20de%20Uniformidad.pdf. Consulta: 2009.
