About 500 medical journals are published in the People's Republic of China; circulations range from approximately 1000 to 130,000. Publishers include the Chinese Medical Association (which publishes the most heavily cited journals), the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, publishing houses, and academic institutions. In format, content, and operations, Chinese medical journals generally resemble their American counterparts, but they also differ. Their content consists largely of scientific papers (whose format is usually the same as that in the United States), case reports, and review articles. Case series are common, and reports of randomized clinical trials are rare. An estimated 20% of journals routinely include English-language abstracts, and the proportion is increasing. Papers are normally peer reviewed by at least two referees. Authors generally are paid on publication of a paper, and peer reviewers are also paid. The post office handles circulation for many journals.
