Publishing in physical and rehabilitation medicine

This paper presents the panel discussion from the 'Meet the Editor' symposium held at the 4th World Congress of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine in Seoul in June 2007. It includes contributions by four Editors of international journals in rehabilitation. Some of the topics discussed are of a general nature, but will provide useful guidance for the more junior scientific author. Some specific information about the four journals is also presented. Topics discussed include the reasons for publishing in peer review journals, important considerations in submitting a manuscript, the peer review process, the effect of electronic publishing, which leads to shorter publication times and the opportunity to preview papers, and the trend towards more open access to journals. The discussion concludes that the field of physical and rehabilitation medicine will continue to expand, with an audience with a broader range of scientific and clinical interests. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) may be increasingly used as a framework in reporting. New journals may be started, particularly in regions of the world other than Europe and the USA, despite the fact that journals currently published in these regions are distributed worldwide.