Turkey’s publications in cardiovascular medicine in 2006: Addressing journals of higher impact

The progress in 2006 in the output of publications in cardiovascular medicine originating from Turkey’s institutions were evaluated based on data of the Web of Science. Only articles in full-text appearing in source publications of Science Citation Index CD Edition were included. A weighted credit system was used for articles published jointly with a foreign or a noncardiological Turkish institution. Turkey's cardiovascular publications rose to 176 articles and her share of world publication to 9.8 per mille. The median impact factor of periodicals publishing these articles rose from 1.22 of the preceding year to 1.51 (interquartile range 0.99-2.09). One-third of the papers were published in journals with an impact factor 2 or over. Distribution of the articles in 2006 according to related branches was as follows: 141 adult cardiology, 23 cardiovascular surgery, and 12 pediatric cardiology. The leading five centers in the generation of publications were Türkiye Yüksek İhtisas Hospital, Siyami Ersek Cardiovascular Surgery Center, Gülhane Military School of Medicine, and the universities of Başkent and İnönü. At least 10 established medical faculties again failed this year to exhibit an anticipated performance, which underscores the need for new regulations in academic career.