A Message from the New Editor-in-Chief

Abstract

I am honored to take on the role of Editor-in-Chief of the ASEAN Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine (ASEAN J Rehabil Med) on November 24, 2022. This duty will be an enormous task, which I will approach with enthusiasm and understanding of how important the function of the journal is for our field.

My vision for the next phase of the ASEAN J Rehabil Med is to continue providing a journal responsive to contributors and raising its scientific prestige. This process needs close collaboration with the editorial board members and rehabilitation community in the ASEAN regions. I also hope that the journal will be published promptly with high standards. Finally, I am optimistic that the quality of this journal will continue to improve and serve the community’s needs related to rehabilitation medicine.

We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the former editor-in-chief, Assoc. Prof. Apichana Kovindha. Her efforts of hard-working over 16 years have strengthened the journal’s international scope. Almost 400 articles have been published in the journal under her close supervision and careful handling. She generously gave her time to prepare me for the job and handed me the reins of a vibrant and well-run journal with manuscripts in the pipeline. She also agreed to help us as an advisory board member. Her suggestion while I am carrying out my duty as editor-in-chief will be invaluable. 

We want to acknowledge the addition of the advisory board members, associated editors, and several new members to our editorial board, whose composition is on the masthead of this issue. They are among our field’s top scholars, and their expertise and experience reflect our aspirations for the journal. We will work together to continue to make significant contributions to our journal.

Finally, we are grateful to Prof. Areerat Suputitada and Assoc. Prof. Montana Buntragulpoontawee. Both of them have stayed on through this transition.

The articles in this issue reflect just how rehabilitation medicine is involved in managing in a range of patients and caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic, from pediatric to geriatric patients. In addition, there is a range of subspecialties, from patients with neurological problems to musculoskeletal problems, and a range of geography from Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

We have some ambitions for the journal that will be visible to readers within a few issues. We remain committed to the goals set by our predecessors to diversify the authorship of the journal. This process will proactively recruit and support prospective authors, especially junior scholars. We seek to diversify the content, working within the State of Purpose, and welcome submissions and any ideas and comments regarding the journal.