Georgian Medical Journal (GMJ) is an independent, peer-reviewed, open-access journal publishing original research, reviews, brief reports, case reports, guidelines, and editorials across the full spectrum of medicine—from clinical and surgical sciences to social medicine, health management, quality and patient safety, public/international (global) health, and traditional/complementary medicine in line with World Health Organization (WHO) frameworks. Established by the Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG) and led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Giorgi Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD, GMJ maintains editorial independence from its publisher, sponsors, and advertisers.
We prioritize methodological rigor, research ethics, and real-world applicability, using double-anonymised peer review, clear reporting standards (e.g., CONSORT/STROBE/PRISMA/CARE/SQUIRE), and transparent disclosures (funding, competing interests, data availability, and AI use). Submissions are welcomed in Georgian and English. GMJ supports early-career researchers through structured guidance (checklists, reporting templates, and mentorship), assigns Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) to all accepted articles, and encourages responsible data sharing where feasible.
To broaden impact, GMJ also hosts commentary, explainers, and blogs for clinicians, managers, and the general public, as well as conference outputs (abstracts, seminar summaries, posters, and recorded talks) that translate evidence into practice. All content is open access under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0), preserved via reputable archiving networks (e.g., PKP Preservation Network/LOCKSS/CLOCKSS or equivalents), and optimized for discoverability. GMJ is pursuing inclusion in major indexing databases (e.g., DOAJ, PubMed Central/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science) to maximize visibility and citations, while fostering constructive, evidence-based debate that advances clinical practice, education, health management, and health policy in Georgia and beyond.
A new scientific commentary published in the Georgian Medical Journal examines the ethical and legal foundations for including critically ill patients in clinical research. The article is based on international standards and the Georgian regulatory context and is available in English with a DOI.
Commentary articles in the Georgian Medical Journal (GMJ) present expert perspectives on contemporary issues in medicine, public health, health systems, education, ethics, and health policy relevant to Georgia and the wider region. These evidence-informed contributions do not report primary research and undergo editorial review. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Georgian Medical Journal or the Public Health Institute of Georgia.
Dear colleagues, friends, and readers,
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the inaugural year of the Georgian Medical Journal (GMJ)—an independent, peer-reviewed, open-access platform dedicated to advancing health and healthcare across Georgia and our wider region.
GMJ was founded by the Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG) with a simple promise: rigour, integrity, and relevance. We publish across the full spectrum of medicine—clinical and surgical sciences; social medicine; health management; quality and patient safety; public/international (global) health; and traditional/complementary medicine aligned with World Health Organization (WHO) frameworks. Our editorial independence is non-negotiable; decisions are based solely on scientific merit and ethical standards.
From 1 October 2025 to 31 March 2026, GMJ offers an APC-free window for accepted articles, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to sharing high-quality work. Thereafter, we maintain transparent, modest fees with strong waivers and a PHIG Publication Grant to support unfunded and public-sector research.
We expect methodological clarity, ethical compliance, and transparency. Submissions should follow established reporting guidelines (CONSORT, STROBE, PRISMA, CARE, SQUIRE). Every published item receives a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) and is preserved through trusted archiving networks. We welcome manuscripts in Georgian and English and encourage plain-language summaries where appropriate to bridge research and practice.
GMJ is also a home for translation and dialogue: editorials, viewpoints, explainers for the public, and conference outputs that turn evidence into action. We aim to be a meeting point for clinicians, educators, managers, policymakers, and communities.
To early-career researchers, mentors, reviewers, and partners—thank you. Your curiosity, critical insight, and generosity will shape this journal’s culture. I invite you to read, review, submit, and challenge us to do better.
On behalf of the editorial team, welcome to GMJ. Let us build a journal that measurably improves care, strengthens health systems, and elevates Georgia’s voice in global medicine.
With respect,
Prof. Giorgi Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal (GMJ)
Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG) · editor@gmj.ge · gmj.ge
A new scientific commentary published in the Georgian Medical Journal examines the ethical and legal foundations for including critically ill patients in clinical research. The article is based on international standards and the Georgian regulatory context and is available in English with a DOI.
An overview of the evolution of ISO 15189—from a technical laboratory standard to a foundation of patient safety and health system trust—highlighting the roles of international organisations, WHO, and modern accreditation frameworks.
