Author and Reviewer Training

The Bhutan Sorig Journal conducted its first Author and Reviewer Training for its editorial board members from 13 – 17 January 2024. The training contents for Authors covered the key concepts in writing manuscripts, the standard reporting guidelines (EQUATOR Network) and publication ethics. The training contents for Reviewers included an overview of the journal, its journal policies, author guidelines and review policies. Reviewers were given hands-on experience in the assessment and review of various types of manuscripts (case reports, observational studies, randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews). The resource persons were Dr Karma Tenzin, Editor-in-Chief and Dr Thinley Dorji, Managing Editor. The course content was delivered mostly in Dzongkha.

The participants consisted of the Editors and Assistant Editors who are among faculty members and professors of the Faculty of Traditional Medicine, and clinicians from the National Traditional Medicine Hospital and district hospitals. The Editorial Assistants, the technical team members and the librarian, also participated in the course. The overall aim of this training is to build editorial capacity in the management of the journal. The journal aims to become a repository of scientific publications on Sowa Rigpa, Traditional Medicine, complementary and alternative medicine in the country and the region.

This training programme was supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s Technical Cooperation Project and was coordinated by the Faculty of Traditional Medicine and the BSJ Secretariat. At the closing ceremony of the programme, the Hon’ble President of the Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan highlighted the commitment of the university to research innovation and excellence, adoption of evidence-based practice in Traditional Medicine and integration of Traditional Medicine in patient and healthcare in Bhutan. The Dean expressed the important role the journal will play in the preservation of Sowa Rigpa and in making it accessible to readers from all across the world.

The journal is open to submission all throughout the year and welcomes submissions for its inaugural issue.