The BMJ does come with a certain kudos and weight… journalists, politicians, the public would give it more weight just because it’s in The BMJ.”

Dr Azeem Majeed
Professor and Head of the Department of Primary Care & Public Health at Imperial College

Dr Azeem Majeed, Professor and Head of Primary Care & Public Health at Imperial College London, is among the most highly cited researchers in primary care, with over 234,000 citations and an H-Index of 143. His work has significantly influenced health policies like disease prevention and health surveillance. In addition to his academic leadership, he continues practising as an NHS GP and Public Health Consultant, maintaining a vital connection to frontline healthcare.

Dr Majeed’s research spans many areas, from healthcare systems and public health policy to chronic disease management and the long-term impacts of covid-19. He spoke to us about his latest analysis article and the impact of its publication in The BMJ collection, Research Priorities for Future Shocks, a series of peer-reviewed articles addressing the critical research priorities for mitigating the impact of future health crises.

Dr Majeed and colleagues’ analysis, Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions: Evaluating Challenges and Priorities for Future Health Shocks, calls for rigorous evaluation of measures such as lockdowns and mask-wearing to provide timely evidence for policymakers. The authors argue that non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) during health crises like covid-19 are essential but have unintended consequences, such as economic and mental health impacts.

Public health measures like social distancing and lockdowns help manage health crises but can have side effects, such as job loss or mental health struggles. The authors argue that quickly reviewing these measures can help improve policies while keeping public trust. The UK’s data systems were helpful during covid-19, but need better preparation for future challenges. Their analysis suggests setting up a dedicated pandemic body, improving data for vulnerable people, and working more with global partners. Clear communication and involving the public are crucial for success, they conclude.

For over 30 years, Dr Majeed has worked closely with BMJ Group, publishing many papers on topics such as covid-19, vaccine hesitancy, NHS workforce, and chronic disease management. His long-standing collaboration with the Group has not only enhanced his research career but also significantly impacted the direction of public health research and education worldwide.

His relationship with BMJ Group began in the 1990s when he joined one of its editorial committees. Over the years, he has contributed various articles to The BMJ and other journals in the portfolio, such as BMJ Open and BMJ Medicine. He shares, “BMJ [Group] has always been a prominent platform for me, offering widespread visibility for my research and allowing me to engage with a global audience.”

“I received feedback from about 10 individuals from countries like China and others worldwide, each offering unique perspectives. It was fascinating to hear such diverse viewpoints.”

“Publishing with BMJ [Group] ensures that my work reaches a broad, global audience. The BMJ is highly respected, and having my work published there increases its credibility and ensures it has a larger impact compared to other journals. Papers published in The BMJ often have higher downloads and more engagement, as we saw with some of my covid-19 papers, which received over 200,000 views.”

The impact of his recent analysis evaluating the challenges and priorities for future health shocks is reflected in its high visibility and engagement. Altmetric positions it in the 95th percentile, placing it in the top 5% of all research outputs ever tracked. With over 26 million research outputs monitored globally, this paper stands out for its substantial reach and influence.

Dr Majeed’s work shapes global discussions on health resilience, and continues to directly inform education, policymaking, and public health strategies worldwide. His continued involvement with BMJ Group ensures that his research will remain a key resource for future health preparedness and response efforts.

The visibility and impact of his work extend well beyond academic circles. Dr Majeed’s papers, particularly those published in The BMJ, BMJ Open and BMJ Global Health, have made a notable impact on education. As the course chairman for the  Imperial College Master of Public Health programme, he integrates his BMJ-published work into the curriculum as a foundation for critical discussions among students.

“So we would include it in our course material and encourage students to read it and think critically about some of the issues raised in that paper.”

He also believes that BMJ’s reputation as a prestigious publisher helps to amplify the weight of his research. He discusses the significant reach his previous papers published with BMJ have had, with some of his covid-19-related articles receiving over 200,000 views. The impact of publishing with BMJ is noted not only in terms of readership but also in the credibility it lends to his work.

Publishing with BMJ Group has been crucial in disseminating Dr Majeed’s research within educational contexts. Dr  Majeed incorporates his BMJ-published papers into the curriculum. He explains, “We use these papers to stimulate critical thinking among students, particularly when discussing public health interventions like those used during the pandemic.”

He believes that the partnership between research and education is vital to advancing public health outcomes, and emphasises the importance of patient involvement in the research process. His work is designed with patient input at every stage, from research design to dissemination. This patient-centred approach is now a hallmark of his research programmes, ensuring that patient voices are integrated into the core of the academic and policy discourse.

“The feedback we receive from patients helps shape the direction of our research and ensures that the findings are relevant and impactful,” he says. “Increasingly, we are also involving patients as co authors in our publications, which is a crucial step in recognising their contribution to the research process.”

“So if I compare, for example, the number of downloads my papers have had and the number of page views across all journals, The BMJ is much, much higher. All my papers get at least several thousand views.”

Beyond the educational setting, The BMJ‘s reach also influences policy and public health practices. As a trusted journal, The BMJ helps amplify research findings that inform decision makers, health professionals, and the public. Dr Majeed’s contributions on covid-19, vaccine hesitancy, and NHS workforce issues have influenced not only academic discussions but also public health policies and practices.

“Publishing in The BMJ gives my work the weight it needs to be taken seriously by policy makers, journalists, and the public,” Dr Majeed concludes. “It helps bring important issues into the spotlight, leading to better informed discussions and, ultimately, improved public health strategies.”

For researchers and educators alike, publishing with BMJ Group provides a powerful platform that enhances the visibility of their work and contributes meaningfully to advancing healthcare education, policy, and global public health outcomes.