Necessity of professional medical illustration for increasing the value of the journal

A medical illustration is an artistic visualization, executed in either a physical or digital space, that aims to present information relevant to the fields of medicine and biology [1]. They are defined as illustrations that contain and convey medical information and are commonly used in surgical records, figures in medical journals, and patient instructions to improve the readability and comprehensibility of these respective documents [2]. Medical illustrations have been used in medicine for a long time: more precisely, since approximately 1500 years ago, when Andreas Vesalius published an anatomical drawing book [3]. Since the era of Leonardo da Vinci and his portrayal of the human physique, there have been significant advancements in representations of the human body. Art has progressively transformed from traditional illustrations to digital imaging, driven by technological advancements in the digital age. Accurate and intuitive illustrations are most effective for conveying information in various disciplines rooted in medicine, such as anatomy, embryology, physiology, neuroanatomy, and all fields related to surgery or medical education [4,5]. In some countries (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, etc.), there are specialized programs in graduate and/or undergraduate schools [6]. After completing these programs, individuals must clear the Certified Medical Illustrator (CMI) exam to qualify and work as professional medical illustrators [7]. However, many physicians engaged in medical education or research are unaware of this.