Journal profile · MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL
Hong Kong Medical Journal
ISSN 1024-2708 · eISSN 2226-8707 · Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Press · PEOPLES R CHINA
Hong Kong Medical Journal: CAS Zone 4 · Medicine (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 2.76; diamond open access (no APC); no APC; review about 10 weeks (community reports); 105 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Hong Kong Medical Journal is published by Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Press and is in Zone 4 of Medicine in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies, COVID-19 and healthcare impacts and Total Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes, together about 17.5% of its articles. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Hong Kong Medical Journal (HKMJ) is a bimonthly joint publication of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (HKAM) and the Hong Kong Medical Association (HKMA). HKMJ is published by the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Press. The HKMJ is a Hong Kong-based, peer-reviewed, general medical journal which is circulated to Fellows of the HKAM, members of the HKMA, and individual subscribers. The HKMJ publishes original research papers, review articles, medical practice papers, case reports, editorials, commentaries, and letters to the Editor. Topics of interest include all subjects that relate to clinical practice and research in all branches of medicine. The HKMJ welcomes manuscripts from authors, but usually solicits reviews. Proposals for review papers can be sent to the Managing Editor directly. HKMJ is indexed in MEDLINE/Index Medicus, Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE), Current Contents–Clinical Medicine, BIOSIS Previews, Embase/Excerpta Medica, Biological Abstracts, Index Copernicus, and SCOPUS. The 2024 Journal Impact Factor for the HKMJ is 2.6 (Clarivate, 2025). The 2024 CiteScore for the HKMJ is 1.9 (Scopus, 2025). HKMJ has been an open access journal since 1997. All archived material is fully open access and freely accessible. All articles published in HKMJ are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) licence. Print ISSN: 1024-2708 Online ISSN: 2226-8707
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL
Editor-in-chief Martin CS WongPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 7 in mainland China (about 9%); most named Hong Kong, China 57, Mainland China 7, Australia 6, United States 4, United Kingdom 1 (78 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- COVID-19 Clinical Research StudiesMedicine6.8%
- COVID-19 and healthcare impactsMedicine5.7%
- Total Knee Arthroplasty OutcomesMedicine4.9%
- Primary Care and Health OutcomesHealth Professions4.9%
- Maternal and Perinatal Health InterventionsMedicine4.6%
- Cardiac Arrest and ResuscitationMedicine4.6%
- Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and TreatmentMedicine4.4%
- Pelvic floor disorders treatmentsMedicine4.2%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Medicine Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Medicine | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Medicine, General & Internal | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Medicine Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Medicine | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Medicine, General & Internal | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Medicine Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Medicine | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Medicine, General & Internal | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusDOAJLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Indexing the journal's website claims
MEDLINEEmbaseCurrent ContentsPublisher website
Other: Index Medicus, BIOSIS Previews, Biological Abstracts, Index Copernicus
As the journal's website lists them, not checked against each database; for Web of Science editions the records above apply.
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 2.76LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 3Publisher website ·
- Impact factor (publisher) 2024
- 2.6Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 1.4LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher) 2025
- 1.4Publisher website ·
- CiteScore (publisher) 2024
- 1.9Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 0.25LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 0.3LetPub ·
- h-index
- 41LetPub ·
- h-index
- 41OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 359OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 0.61OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 26.7%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 100%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 29LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 1,504 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 78 | 78 | 4 |
| 2025 | 105 | 105 | 44 |
| 2024 | 103 | 103 | 127 |
| 2023 | 117 | 117 | 268 |
| 2022 | 101 | 101 | 343 |
| 2021 | 116 | 116 | 590 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
- Average review time (community reports)
- about 10 weeksLetPub ·
- Submission to publication (journal-reported)
- about 10 weeksDOAJ ·
- Peer review
- Double anonymous peer reviewDOAJ
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Diamond open access (no APC)DOAJ
Every article is open access and authors pay no article processing charge.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOAJ | No APC | No | CC BY-NC-ND | |
| LetPub | No APC | No | — | |
| Publisher website | USD 1,500 | — | — |
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
What to prepare8 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 250 words
- Manuscript length
- ≤ 3,000 words
- Reference style
- Vancouver
- Templates
- Word
- First submission
- Free format: the journal's layout is not required
- Suggested reviewers
- Optional
- Highlights
- Required
- Cover letter
- Required
Article types accepted7, with length limits
- case reportTemplate: Manuscript / Title page Case Reports present the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of a patient with an unusual or unique aspect. The acceptance rat…main text ≤ 1,000 words · abstract ≤ 1000 words
- commentaryTemplate: Manuscript / Title page Description: Commentaries relate to issues of current concern. These should focus on an area of controversy or difficulty, whe…main text ≤ 1,200 words · abstract ≤ 1200 words
- editorialDescription: Editorials are invited contributions that complement papers published elsewhere in the journal. Manuscript Sections Abstract: Not required Text (ex…main text ≤ 1,200 words · abstract ≤ 1200 words
- letter to the editorTemplate: Manuscript / Title page Description: Letters discussing a recent article in the HKMJ should be sent within 6 weeks of the article’s publication. Lette…main text ≤ 250 words · abstract ≤ 250 words
- original articleThe HKMJ publishes manuscripts in the following categories. Please click on the respective link for templates and detailed submission requirements: Original Art…main text ≤ 250 words · abstract ≤ 250 words
- review articleTemplate: Manuscript Review Articles are usually invited, but unsolicited reviews of good quality, especially scoping or systematic reviews or meta-analyses, ma…main text ≤ 250 words · abstract ≤ 250 words
- video clipGenerally, the video clip should support the description of a technique.Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, License & copyright, Peer review, Plagiarism, Self-archiving
- AI use (c) Use of Artificial Intelligence–Assisted Technology
The HKMJ follows the ICMJE recommendations (www.icmje.org/recommendations/) for the use of artificial intelligence (AI)–assisted technologies. At submission, authors should disclose whether AI-assisted technologies (such as large language models, chatbots, or image creators) were used to produce their submitted work. If so, authors should provide a description of the technologies used in both the …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship (b) Authorship Information
Authorship Requirements Authors are responsible for all statements made in their papers. All accepted papers become the permanent property of the HKMJ. When the HKMJ accepts a paper for publication, authors will be asked to sign statements on (1) authorship responsibility, (2) financial disclosure, and (3) copyright transfer. Each of the statements must be read and signed by all authors (Disclaime…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Financial Disclosure
Any affiliation with or involvement in any organisation or entity with a direct financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript (eg, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, honoraria, expert testimony, grants or patents received/pending, royalties) should be disclosed in an attachment. For the ICMJE definition of conflicts of interest, see www.icmje.org/confli…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright Copyright Transfer
Copyright Transfer Model summary
In consideration of the action of the HKMJ in reviewing and editing a submission, the author/s will transfer, assign, or otherwise convey all copyright ownership to the HKMJ in the event that such work is published by the HKMJ. [top]
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review (b) Editorial Review and Processing Peer Review
Peer Review Process All submitted manuscripts are initially reviewed internally. Those manuscripts that do not comply with the Guide for Authors, or those that are of insufficient priority for publication, are rejected. The remaining manuscripts are sent for external peer review (except editorials and letters to the Editor which are reviewed internally). The HKMJ operates a double-blind peer-revie…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Plagiarism (a) Duplicate Submission / Redundant Publication / Plagiarism
Manuscripts are considered on the understanding that they are submitted solely to the HKMJ and have not been published elsewhere previously either in print or electronic format, and are not under consideration by another publication or electronic medium. Redundant publication is publication of a paper that overlaps substantially with one already published. When submitting a paper, authors should m…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Self-archiving (d) Embargo
Authors should refrain from contacting the mass media about papers that are being peer reviewed or in press. Authors should discuss any possible prepublication disclosure with the Editors in advance and obtain their agreement. Providing copies of manuscripts or detailed information to media, manufacturers, or other parties of information described in a manuscript that has been accepted but not yet…
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Press
- Country or region
- PEOPLES R CHINA
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 1024-2708
- Electronic ISSN
- 2226-8707
- Latest issue on the website
- Volume 32 (August 2026)
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗DOAJ
- Submission system ↗LetPub
- Author guidelines ↗LetPub
- Aims & Scope ↗LetPub
- APC information ↗DOAJ
- Open access statement ↗DOAJ
- License & copyright ↗DOAJ
- Peer review process ↗DOAJ
- Editorial board ↗LetPub
- Plagiarism policy ↗DOAJ
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Hong Kong Medical Journal
What CAS zone is Hong Kong Medical Journal in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Hong Kong Medical Journal is in Zone 4 of Medicine, and in Zone 3 of the minor category Medicine, General & Internal. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 4 of Medicine. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Hong Kong Medical Journal?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 2.76; CiteScore 1.4, h-index 41.
How long does peer review take at Hong Kong Medical Journal?
Authors report an average review time of about 10 weeks. Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Hong Kong Medical Journal?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 250 words; Manuscript length: ≤ 3,000 words; Reference style: Vancouver; Templates: Word; First submission: Free format: the journal's layout is not required; Suggested reviewers: Optional; Highlights: Required; Cover letter: Required. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Hong Kong Medical Journal based?
Of the 78 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 7 (about 9%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are Hong Kong, China (57), Mainland China (7) and Australia (6). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Hong Kong Medical Journal?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Hong Kong Medical Journal is indexed in SCIE, Scopus and DOAJ. The journal's website also lists MEDLINE, Embase and Current Contents; that list has not been checked against each database.
Is Hong Kong Medical Journal open access, and what is the APC?
Hong Kong Medical Journal is a diamond open-access journal (no APC). It charges no article processing charge.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, Publisher website, OpenAlex, DOAJ; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-26). Last updated: .