1) Scope
This policy applies to all users of the Georgian Medical Journal (GMJ) site, including authors, reviewers, editors, and readers.
2) Data we collect
Identification and contact: name, email address, affiliation, country/region, role (author/reviewer/editor).
Account and activity: usernames, submissions, reviews, editorial decisions, timestamps, and communications related to manuscripts.
Technical data: IP address, browser/user-agent, and cookies necessary for secure sessions and workflow. We do not use third-party advertising cookies.
3) Purpose and lawful basis
We process personal data only to operate the journal: user registration, manuscript handling, peer-review coordination, editorial communication, publication, indexing/archiving, and service notices. Lawful bases: performance of a service you request (contract/legitimate interest) and, where applicable, consent (e.g., optional alerts).
4) Sharing and disclosures
We do not sell personal data. Limited disclosures may occur to trusted service providers strictly for journal operations (e.g., hosting, preservation/archiving, DOI registration) under confidentiality and data-protection obligations. We may disclose data when required by law.
5) Security
We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect data against loss, misuse, and unauthorized access (e.g., encrypted transport, role-based access, audit logs).
6) Retention
Account/profile and workflow records are retained as long as needed for journal operations and to preserve the scholarly record.
You may request account closure; some records (e.g., published articles, identifiers tied to peer-review history) may be retained to safeguard research integrity.
7) Your rights
Where applicable, you may request access, correction, deletion, restriction, or portability of your personal data, and object to certain processing. We will respond consistent with legal obligations and the need to maintain the scholarly record.
8) Cookies and analytics
We use essential cookies for secure login and workflow continuity. Any optional analytics (if enabled) use aggregated data; no personal data are sold or used for advertising.
9) Children
This site is intended for adults engaged in scholarly activity; it is not directed to children.
10) Changes to this policy
We may update this statement to reflect operational, legal, or technical changes. The “last updated” date appears at the top of this page.
11) Contact
Questions or requests about privacy: editor@gmj.ge
Data controller: Georgian Medical Journal (GMJ), Public Health Institute of Georgia (PHIG), Tbilisi, Georgia.
Last updated: 20 October 2025
A new scientific commentary published in the Georgian Medical Journal examines the ethical and legal foundations for including critically ill patients in clinical research. The article is based on international standards and the Georgian regulatory context and is available in English with a DOI.
An overview of the evolution of ISO 15189—from a technical laboratory standard to a foundation of patient safety and health system trust—highlighting the roles of international organisations, WHO, and modern accreditation frameworks.
