The journal Medicina Intensiva is a fundamental tool for the diffusion of research, innovation and training in our specialty, and lies in close contact with other related specialties and different professionals involved in the care of critically ill patients. The journal is the official communicating organ of both the Spanish Society of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine and Coronary Units (Sociedad Española de Medicina Intensiva, Crítica y Unidades Coronarias [SEMICYUC]) and the Pan-American and Iberian Federation of Critical Care Medicine and Intensive Therapy (Federación Panamericana e Ibérica de Medicina Crítica y Terapia Intensiva [FEPIMCTI]). Thus, it constitutes a reference element in our specialty and contributes to raising awareness of the knowledge generated.

The journal first appeared in 1976 and has become the Spanish language reference publication in our specialty at a worldwide level. It is included in the Index Medicus, SCOPUS, MEDES, Science Citation Index Expanded, Journal of Citation Reports and the main databases for the transmission of scientific knowledge. In recent years it has shown progressive and sustained growth in its impact factor, which has increased from 1.193 in 2015 to 3.0 in 2023. This growth has been possible thanks to the great scientific work of the different editorial teams that have worked on this project from its start, and to all those who have contributed articles to the journal and have participated as reviewers in this great common project. This entire process, which now may seem easy, in fact involved much work and constituted a great challenge in each step:

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  We were able to have the journal indexed in JCR.

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  An impact factor was obtained that has grown steadily over time.

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  We were able to place the journal in the third quartile in the section Critical Care.

In recent years, and in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, the journal and different Spanish-language scientific societies have made great cooperative efforts to generate quality scientific information to provide the best care possible for our critically ill patients diagnosed with this terrible disease.

At present, we are beginning to work as a new editorial team that will observe continuity with the projects that have already been started, though it will also be necessary to deal with challenges that arise in the editorial world and in the field of research. Scientific publication will face challenges related to the current channels of knowledge (social networks), different competing editorial styles, and problems derived from the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

In this regard, our proposal is based on the following points:

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  A sustainable growth strategy for the journal (impact factor or different metrics that are appearing in the editorial world), though without conditioning the quality or value offered to our readers.

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  An increased presence of the journal in the social networks through the channels of the journal itself and of the Society, in order to spread its international presence (publication of the journal in Spanish and in English).

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  The generation of synergies with national and international journals that publish articles on shared topics.

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  Active collaboration in developing scientific content with the Working Groups of the Society.

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  Active collaboration with the Young SEMICYUC Group, which can offer new points of view to help generate greater interest and explore different topics and communication channels.

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  Exploration of the usefulness of artificial intelligence in the editorial field.

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  Continuation of work to shorten the article review and publication times. An effort is currently being made in this area, with interesting results in shortening these times.

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  Introduction of changes in line with the recommendations of the Gender Group of the Society, involving active work aimed at including diversity. Renewal of the journal's Advisory Board is also contemplated, incorporating young, high-level female researchers.

In sum, the proposal is to maintain the current line of work, seeking sustainable (not overly aggressive) growth, improving the management of the publication timelines as far as possible, generating increased interest in publishing in the journal on the part of different national and international groups, and exploring new technologies and communication channels of help in such management and diffusion efforts.

Some examples of the different lines of work can be found in publications of recent years.1–6 All this follows the great example of the work done by the editorial board, led to date by Dr. Garnacho, with very important results in recent years.

There is still much to do, but we no doubt have a great team of collaborators in this project, and we will try to continue to ensure adequate visibility of research and the diffusion of knowledge in our specialty. Thanks to all of you who have contributed to this project, and of course also our grateful recognition of all the previous editorial boards that have achieved important acknowledgment for our specialty.