Indian Journal of Innovative Dermatology: Vision for a Bright Future

INTRODUCTION

We are delighted and honoured to present to you the inaugural issue of the Indian Journal of Innovative Dermatology (IJID). IJID is the official publication of the Uttar Pradesh State Chapter of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, and Leprologists (IADVL–UP). This journal aims to serve as a vital platform for discussion and learning related to the fields of dermatology, venereology, leprology, cutaneous biology, dermatopathology, aesthetics, lasers, dermatosurgery, trichology, and hair transplantation. Our focus is on dermatologists from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and beyond, be it faculty members, private practitioners, or postgraduate students. As we embark on this exciting journey, it would be worthwhile to reflect on the need for this journal and how it was materialised, and share our vision for the future.

CONCEPTUALIZATION

A journal for dermatologists of UP & UK was long overdue. As per IADVL records, the currently registered members in the two states stand at around a thousand, including postgraduate students in dermatology. The dermatologists of the two states cater to a combined population of approximately 25 crores. That is around 17.5% of the national population and 3% of the world population. Thus, a separate platform for such a large number of dermatologists catering to a large population was required, where scientific discussions related to dermatology could take place, keeping in mind our socio-economic realities. The twin states have around 109 postgraduate seats in dermatology in 36 departments. Current National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines require publications in journals for the promotion of faculty in medical colleges. Publication is also an essential requirement for postgraduates to appear in final examinations. A separate journal of these states shall provide its members a platform to publish their research.

MATERIALIZATION

IJID was the brainchild of the senior members of UP and Uttarakhand, and the final steps in this direction were taken in 2024. Application forms were invited for the editorial positions in that year. The editor-in-chief was selected based on achievements, publications, and involvement in IADVL activities. The other members of the editorial team were selected by the editor-in-chief. The funding for the journal, the selection of the editorial team, and other issues were ratified by the EC in its meeting in November 2024, held during CUTICON 2024 at Ramnagar. Subsequently, the journal webpage was built, reviewers were finalized, and the journal started inviting submissions from December 2024.

AIMS AND POLICIES

IJID shall be an open-access, peer-reviewed, print and online journal which shall be published twice a year. More details can be obtained on https://ijiderma.org/. The Executive Committee has decided to pay for the cost of processing and publication of the journal to keep it open access, for the wider dissemination of knowledge as a service to the dermatology community. We follow a completely unbiased, double-blinded peer-review system for the processing of articles and are recruiting distinguished peer reviewers to enhance the quality of the articles. For details about categories of articles and author guidelines, please visit https://ijiderma.org/for-authors/.

FUTURE PATH

The executive committee and the editorial team envisage IJID to become a journal of international repute in the future. The journal will receive an ISSN number with the publication of this issue. We plan to get it indexed in all major indexing agencies, including PubMed, in the next 2 years. Although we have incorporated our editorial team from UP and UK, we wish to have at least some members from outside the state and country as well, in the near future. We are already receiving many national and international submissions, which we gladly welcome, but we resolve to continue to prioritise articles from our two states. These measures shall ensure the international outlook of the journal while maintaining its local flavour. As and when it is required, we also intend to increase the frequency of the publication.

APPEAL TO READERS

All these efforts require the reader’s cooperation as well. We would be honored to receive your submissions. We encourage you to spread the word about IJID to your colleagues as well. We also encourage you to fill out reviewer forms on this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSedJnh0uWIDG8e1QYrUf94luBQDEbZwMx-VtWxuwQNf78lQTw/viewform and promise to review at least one article per month.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We would like to thank Dr. Rajeev Sharma, National President, IADVL, for his encouragement and for clarifying our doubts and queries at every step. He has kindly agreed to be the ombudsman of the journal as well. The Honorary Secretary General, IADVL, Dr. Bhumesh Kumar Katakam, deserves special thanks for his inputs and words of appreciation. We are highly thankful to the state EC and all senior members of our state chapter of IADVL for the extraordinary support they have shown towards the journal. We hope to continue receiving their constant encouragement and will always try to meet the high hopes they have for the journal. We would also like to thank all authors who have shown their faith in the journal by submitting their manuscripts for publication. We are extremely thankful to all the reviewers who have taken time out of their busy schedules and provided valuable suggestions that have significantly enhanced the value of the manuscripts.

CONCLUSION

We hope that the Indian Journal of Innovative Dermatology shall become an essential resource in the advancement and acquisition of dermatological knowledge in the country and beyond. We require your cooperation in this journey of excellence in dermatology!!

Long Live IJID!! Long Live IADVL!!