BMJ

BMJ. The BMJ is a weekly peer-reviewed medical journal, one of the world's oldest and most influential general medical publications. It is published by the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Medical Association. The journal's mission is to lead the debate on health and to engage, inform, and stimulate doctors, researchers, and other health professionals to improve outcomes for patients.

History

The journal was first published on 3 October 1840 as the *Provincial Medical and Surgical Journal* by the newly formed Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, which later became the British Medical Association. Under the editorship of John Rose Cormack, it was renamed the *British Medical Journal* in 1857. Throughout the Victorian era, it became a central forum for medical debate, reporting on seminal advances like Joseph Lister's pioneering work on antisepsis. The journal's offices moved to London in the 19th century, and it played a significant role during major health crises, including the 1918 influenza pandemic and the Second World War. In 1988, the publishing operations were restructured into the BMJ Publishing Group. In 2014, the journal officially rebranded to the abbreviated "BMJ," reflecting its global reach beyond its British origins.

Publication and content

The BMJ is published weekly in print and online, with continuous publication online. Its content spans original research, evidence-based reviews, clinical updates, and investigative journalism. Key sections include research articles, which undergo rapid peer review and open peer review post-publication, and the renowned Christmas issue, which features lighter, peer-reviewed studies on unconventional topics. The journal is a pioneer in open access publishing, offering a hybrid model and fully open access journal, *BMJ Open*. It places a strong emphasis on data sharing and transparency, requiring authors to share patient-level data from clinical trials. Other regular features include editorials, analysis pieces, and the "Too Much Medicine" campaign, which highlights the problem of overdiagnosis.

Impact and influence

With an international circulation and readership, the BMJ is a cornerstone of the global medical literature. Its impact factor consistently ranks it among the top general medical journals worldwide, alongside publications like The Lancet and the New England Journal of Medicine. The journal's investigations have directly influenced public health policy; for example, its reporting on the MMR vaccine and autism controversy provided crucial counter-narratives to discredited research. Its advocacy for evidence-based medicine has shaped clinical practice guidelines internationally. The BMJ's educational resources, such as the "BMJ Best Practice" point-of-care tool, are used by clinicians globally. Furthermore, its role in campaigns against conflicts of interest in healthcare and for research integrity has cemented its reputation as a trusted and authoritative voice.

Governance and structure

The BMJ is owned by the British Medical Association, the professional association and trade union for doctors in the United Kingdom. The journal is operated by the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd, which publishes over 70 specialist journals, including Heart and Thorax. The editor-in-chief is appointed by a committee and serves on the BMJ Publishing Group board. The journal maintains a robust editorial independence policy, with its editors having full control over editorial content, free from commercial or political influence from the British Medical Association. An international editorial advisory board provides strategic guidance. The operations are headquartered in London, with editorial and commercial teams supporting its global publishing activities.

Notable publications and controversies

The journal has published many landmark studies, including the first rigorous trial showing the benefits of streptomycin for tuberculosis in 1948. It famously published the groundbreaking research by Richard Doll and Austin Bradford Hill in 1950 that established the definitive link between smoking and lung cancer. More recently, its publication of the RECOVERY Trial results on dexamethasone for COVID-19 had immediate global clinical impact. The BMJ has also been at the center of major controversies, most notably its sustained critical investigation into the anti-inflammatory drug rofecoxib (Vioxx) and the Food and Drug Administration's handling of its safety. Its confrontational stance on the cholesterol hypothesis and statin therapy has sparked intense debate within the cardiology community.

Category:Medical journals Category:Publications established in 1840 Category:British Medical Association