Rethinking research metrics in dermatology and beyond

Assessing academic performance in dermatology is an interesting and evolving challenge. Early-career researchers often look for clear indicators to identify leading authors; however, reliance on single measures such as citation counts or the h-index provides only a limited view of scholarly influence. Using diverse bibliometric indicators from Scopus, we observed that author rankings shifted considerably depending on the metric applied, reflecting the lack of agreement on how best to capture academic impact. Similarly, we noted that ethical publications (letters, notes, and related formats) in dermatology may contribute to scholarly discussions and institutional practices but often receive modest citation profiles, highlighting the gap between measurable indicators and genuine value. Inflated authorship practices and citation manipulation further complicate fair evaluation. Fractional authorship models and multidimensional frameworks that consider publication type, journal quality, collaboration, funding strength, and broader societal contributions may offer more balanced perspectives. We suggest that institutions, journals, and training programs promote the ethical use of metrics and integrate qualitative assessments alongside quantitative ones. Such an approach can foster fairness, transparency, and meaningful recognition within dermatology and academic medicine more broadly.