Welcome to the inaugural all-digital edition of the Journal of the Mississippi State Medical Association. After more than a century of print-only and then hybrid print-digital issues, JMSMA will transition to a fully online format starting with the 2025 March/April issue. This transition represents a significant advancement in our commitment to enhancing the dissemination of knowledge, access to critical research, and fostering a more dynamic and collaborative exchange of ideas related to the latest advancements in medical science and the evolving landscape of clinical practice and public health.
As we embark on this new digital transition, we believe this presents an excellent opportunity to discuss the various enhancements and additions that the editorial team has implemented over the past two years. These changes aim to expand our offerings and elevate the experience for our readers and contributors. Through this new format, we aim to deliver our audience more timely, interactive, and relevant publications, leveraging the capabilities of our online journal management platform, Scholastica.
One of my primary objectives as part of the editorial team, first as JMSMA’s Scientific Editor and then as an Associate Editor, has been to enhance the academic rigor of the journal. To this end, one of the first improvements we introduced was the formalization of a requirement for authors to follow standard reporting guidelines from the EQUATOR network for all original research and reviews. As they state on their website, their goal is “to improve the reliability and value of published health research literature by promoting transparent and accurate reporting and wider use of robust reporting guidelines.” Authors can access all guidelines hosted on the EQUATOR network at https://www.equator-network.org. These guidelines were initially implemented as affirmations that authors could click on in 2024. By 2025, we have been able to integrate them directly into the submission process, allowing authors to upload the necessary forms alongside their manuscripts. This has not only added to methodological transparency but also reduced the time required for editorial reviews.
Another area of improvement has been expanding the types of articles accepted for publication. By leveraging Scholastica’s digital platform, we introduced a “Clinical Images” section. This serves as an educational tool, where interesting or rare clinical scenarios are presented concisely with relevant images and discussion. These can include radiological, pathological, or even EKG images. You can find some examples of these in our 2024 May/June and July/August issues.
A new focus area is health policy. While previous sections have included some health policy content, we have now created a submission category dedicated to policy. This will feature articles and briefs on topics such as healthcare legislation, regulatory issues, and the impact of policy decisions on medical practice and public health. This is particularly relevant to the Mississippi State Medical Association, physicians, and public health professionals across the state. This section will review original research, policy surveillance and analyses, legislative and regulatory updates, and policy briefs. You can find an example of this from our group in the 2024 May/June issue.
Additionally, we plan to consolidate some existing sections. The requirements of the Mississippi Frontline section, which largely described implementation science projects, will now be accepted as part of the original research category. Similarly, the overlapping focus areas of the Top 10 and Up To Date series will be combined into a new narrative review section. Updated guidelines for these reviews will be available on our website’s For Authors page.
While enhancing the quality and scope of the journal, we remain steadfastly committed to the highest ethical standards in scientific publishing. All submissions undergo a rigorous internal and/or external peer review process to ensure accuracy, validity, and relevance to our readership. As always, we welcome feedback from authors and readers as we continue to enhance the journal and establish it as a leading platform for high-quality health research dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Mississippians.