The static traditional print journal has benefitted from the emergence of its electronic counterpart. In the online versions, a more complete account of research methods, more detailed descriptions of raw data and wide-ranging discussions are possible. Moreover, responses and letters to various articles can be added almost immediately to the journal. It is also feasible to post video and audio to the journal, which could be of particular use in describing interventions and diagnostic procedures. "Hit counts" or the number of times an article has been accessed can be determined–much to the discomfiture of some authors. The British Medical Journal (BMJ) has successfully implemented this experiment as the "hit parade"(2). An invaluable benefit to the average researcher has been the almost instant indexing in Medline (PubMed) services, which are accessible free of cost.

Following a modest inauguration of its "electronic version" in April 1998, Indian Pediatrics too launched the full text dynamic website in September 1999. This development represents a pioneering effort amongst Asian medical journals. It has enhanced the global visibility, international contributions, stature and scientific quality of the journal. A current average access rate of 4500 per week bears ample testimony to the overwhelming importance of our "electronic version". The online access has been deliberately kept free like the BMJ to facilitate awareness and utilization of Indian research in the global scenario. We have also recently been granted permission to electronically link with the Medline (PubMed) services giving scope for almost instantaneous indexing. Further improvements in the electronic version are being planned.

Advances in electronic publication of bio-medical research are occurring at a mind-boggling rapid pace. The publication of non-peer reviewed research on websites, an anathema only a few years ago, is being accepted by even the most dogmatic journals(3,4). Journals have now launched net prints (BMJ) and eprint archives (The Lancet), where research articles can be posted before, during, or after peer review by other agencies. An increasing number of journals accept articles that have been posted as electronic preprints. Such preprints may change the traditional system of peer review and long delays may soon be a thing of the past. The online comments by readers can be used to invite the authors to revise and improve their paper and also add to the peer review process. An editorial in BMJ commented, "the old style scientific journals are coming apart in seams"(5). These e-prints offer a golden opportunity to the developing countries to visibly archive their scientific research. However, we need to tread cautiously since the publication rules, ethics and definition of misconduct are still under evolution.

Two proposals launched in early 2000 from the National Institutes of Health, USA, the "E-BIOMED" and the "Pubmed Central" will revolutionize the access to biomedical research on the Internet. The E-Biomed is intended to be a website where all biomedical research would be accessible through a powerful search engine for free. The site would have two parts: one would post research after peer review by traditional journals; the other would allow the posting of virtually any legitimate work after approval by two reviewers. The Pubmed Central is to be a web based repository of original research in the life sciences. It will provide free access to both peer reviewed and non-peer reviewed articles submitted by existing journals, new journals, and reputable scientific organizations. It will be integrated with PubMed (the Medline search service), enabling searches across the entire repository. The new service will enable researchers to access data rapidly, thereby speeding the pace of medical research(6-8). The extent of the information provided and the time delay after the print version will be decided by the individual publishers. According to Harold Varmus, Director of the US National Institutes of Health, the potential advantages include open access, rapid and wide dissemination, reduced costs, and flexible publication formats(9). Prominent medical journals have debated on the pros and cons of this proposal(10-12).

Electronic publication of biomedical research offers an excellent opportunity to the resource-starved third world of cheap global dissemination of their science. The developing countries must therefore immediately capitalize on this ongoing Information Technology revolution through individual or co-operative efforts.

C. Vidyashankar,
Military Hospital, Namkum,
Ranchi, Bihar
India.
E-mail: [email protected]

H.P.S. Sachdev,
Professor, Department of Pediatrics,
Maulana Azad Medical College,
New Delhi 110 002, India.
E-mail: [email protected]