Critical Review: Journal of Clinical Medicine (JCM)
Journal of Clinical Medicine (JCM) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published by MDPI.
✅ Strengths
- Indexed in major databases: PubMed/PMC, Scopus, Web of Science (SCIE)
- 2024 Impact Factor: ~2.9 (5-year IF ~3.3)
- Q1 ranking in “Medicine, General & Internal”
- Fast publication process:
- First decision: ~17.7 days
- Acceptance to publication: ~2.7 days
- Accepts negative results, reducing publication bias
- Transparent and publicly available peer-review reports (in some cases)
⚠️ Areas of Concern
1. Publisher Reputation (MDPI)
- MDPI has been criticized for high-volume publishing and “special issue” overload
- Accusations of “quasi-predatory” behavior and aggressive solicitation practices
- Editorial oversight questioned in some circles
2. Impact Factor Volatility
- JCM’s IF has fluctuated (e.g., peaked at ~4.9, then dropped to ~3.0)
- Potential reliance on high-citation review articles
3. Peer Review Speed vs Rigor
- Extremely rapid peer review (~2–3 weeks) may undermine thoroughness
- Concerns exist about consistency and depth of reviewer feedback
🧭 Summary
| Strengths | Caveats |
|---|---|
| Legitimate, indexed journal | Associated with MDPI's fast-publishing model |
| Q1 ranking, rising IF | Questionable peer-review depth in some cases |
| Transparent and open access | Academic perception varies by field |
📝 Final Thoughts
JCM is a viable venue for rapid, open-access publication, especially when:
- Publishing negative or confirmatory results
- Requiring fast turnaround
However, for high-prestige or selective publication goals, more rigorous alternatives may be preferred.
Use case-by-case judgment: assess the editorial board, peer-review transparency, and relevance of special issues before submission.