Reflections on the Past, Present, and Future of The Journal of Pediatrics
Article Outline
- Origins of The Journal
- What Has Changed?
- What Has Not Changed?
- The Future of The Journal
- References
- Copyright
AAP, American Academy of Pediatrics
See related editorial, p 6 and related article, p 16
Origins of The Journal
Dr. Waldo Nelson, Editor of The Journal from 1959 to 1977, described the rich historical details of The Journal's creation.2 (In fact, with all the issues of The Journal now available online [www.jpeds.com], you might enjoy reading the record of the deliberations that led to The Journal's conception and delivery.)
The Journal started out as the first official publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). In only the second year of AAP's existence, one of the stated objectives of its leadership was to:
…establish and maintain the highest possible standards for pediatric research and to encourage contributions to scientific literature pertaining to pediatrics…endeavor to have a comprehensive view of the broad field of research and from time to time suggest lines along which research is most needed and most likely to be fertile. One of the outstanding things that has been decided during the past year is for the publication of a new journal under the direction of the Academy. This is a much needed addition not only for the Academy, but for pediatrics throughout the country.3
The decision followed a report of the Committee on Medical Education, presented during the proceedings of the AAP's second annual meeting on May 14, 1932 by Dr. Borden S. Veeder:
…a thorough investigation was made of the needs and possibilities for such a journal. Of the men consulted throughout different parts of the country, over three quarters were in favor of establishing the Journal. We realized that it was a bad time financially but the publisher was willing to assume the full financial responsibility if we would take it over, edit it, and run it as the official journal of the Academy.3
At that same meeting, Dr. Clifford G. Grulee, Chairman of the Committee on Publications, reported on the advisability of publishing a special journal:
…a survey of the situation as to pediatric journals in this country shows that there are two purely pediatric journals published, namely, the American Journal of Diseases of Children (founded by the AMA in 1911), and the Archives of Pediatrics (1884). These two journals contain most of the pediatric articles published in this country and Canada. In each of them there is occasionally a sprinkling of articles from abroad.3
Grulee further stated that:
…the work of the Committee on Publications during the past year has been taken up very largely with arrangements for publication of a journal which would be sponsored by the society. After several conferences, the committee made arrangements with The C. V. Mosby Company, of St. Louis, to put out such a journal which would be under the direct control of the Editorial Board appointed from the society.3
An additional $5.00 (US) was added to the dues of all members of AAP for their automatic subscription to The Journal; nonmembers paid $8.50 (US) for their subscription.3
Veeder and Dr. Hugh McCulloch accepted joint editorship, and an Editorial Board was appointed consisting of individuals who are now legends in the field of pediatrics: K. D. Blackfan (Boston), T. B. Cooley (Detroit), H. K. Faber (San Francisco), R. A. Strong (New Orleans), P. Van Ingen (New York), and Grulee (ex-officio of Chicago). Veeder characterized the board as follows:
The make-up of the editorial board takes in all the sections of the country and includes men not only active in the teaching and university field but active also in the clinical practice of pediatrics. … we expect to treat pediatrics from the broadest viewpoint.” “…we intend to publish quite elaborate news of the pediatric world. Each state chairman of the Academy will be made a correspondent so that we will be able to get fresh information of what is going on in each state. In this way what is being done at any time in California will be available to the men in Massachusetts, for example… In addition, we have secured a group of foreign correspondents who will, we hope, discuss the news going on in the world of pediatrics and give us first-hand information of important papers and trends.3
Veeder ended by stating that:
…we would like to have your opinion, feeling and criticism: rather an open forum, so to speak, in regard to pediatrics. Whether this journal will be a success is going to depend on the men in the Academy. We are the editors and are not writing the Journal. If it fills a need, it will go on. If it does not fill a need and the men are not interested in it I hope it will die a quiet, peaceful death without simply continuing as another journal. It will depend for its success entirely upon the support given it by members of the Academy.3
Indeed, the endeavor was a success. But even though the AAP's stated academic and educational objectives were clearly met by The Journal, political forces led to a significant transition (ie, “The failure of the Academy to own its official organ of expression was by 1946-1947 a matter of growing concern”4), creating a schism between the Publisher and the AAP.5 In 1947, Veeder proposed a resolution that the AAP publish an AAP-owned journal, to be titled Pediatrics. Dr. McCulloch was named the first Editor of the new journal, which began publication in January 1948. After the AAP severed its relationship with Mosby, The Journal, with Veeder as the sole Editor, continued as an independent publication, “with no responsibility to any organization or to any group and with sole responsibility for policies to be vested in the Editorial Board.”2, 5
What Has Changed?
The Journal has consistently emphasized both clinical and research aspects in the field of pediatrics. The analysis by Hellems et al documents the changing epidemiology of pediatrics as reflected by The Journal's content.1 Improvements in nutrition and public health have eliminated many problems faced by pediatricians 50 years ago. Nutrition was one of the bedrock foundations of pediatrics, and several articles in volume 1 focused on undernutrition (eg, rickets, malnutrition, and the devastating effects of infantile diarrhea).6 However, in volume 150, as well as numerous preceding volumes, concern focused on another form of malnutrition: overnutrition (ie, obesity). The recent spate of articles on this topic demonstrates the severity and serious consequences of the current surge in obesity. The increased percentage of articles designated as “endocrinology” (from 5% in volume 1 to 19% in volume 150) and “cardiology” (from 0 in volume 1 to 11% in volume 150) perhaps reflects this surge of interest in pediatric obesity.1
Another notable trend is the decrease in articles devoted to infectious diseases (from 40% in volume 1 to 5% in volume 150), which reflects the effective prevention and treatment of many infectious diseases through immunization and antimicrobial treatment.1 In addition, advances in genetics, autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, randomized controlled trials, quality improvement, health outcomes, and patient safety compete for space in The Journal. For example, as Hellems et al point out, the percentage of content designated as “metabolism/genetics” has increased from 3% in volume 1 to 20% in volume 150.1
Thus, the reports published in The Journal in 1932-2007 document the transition and research in a number of important areas of pediatrics. During that period, we acquired fundamental knowledge of basic physiology and biochemistry of growth and development. The Journal's contents chronicled this burgeoning scientific knowledge base and heralded rapid changes in clinical practice. Powerful techniques of molecular biology have allowed the deciphering of major issues in pediatrics. Research and scientific inquiry are now mechanistically based, replacing traditional empirical observations. Viewed in the perspective of the science and practice of 2009, many of the original observations provided insight into the long-term impact of high-quality research. Clinical and epidemiologic studies in pediatrics became the basis of evidence-based medicine. Advances in molecular genetics, pharmacogenetics, genomewide assays, etc. have paved the way toward personalized medicine for children with acute and chronic diseases.
Not only have the science and practice evolved, but scientists and practitioners also have changed, especially in terms of the tools used by the former and the access methods used by both. As Hellems et al point out, the fields of information technology, biostatistics, and publishing have altered both reading and problem solving behaviors. Computer access, Internet links, and electronic search engines have revolutionized information acquisition, storage, and analysis.1 These developments are at least partially responsible for The Journal's increasing percentage of articles originating from outside the United States (from 25% of articles in volume 99 to 34% in volume 150). With its involvement with the Access to Research Initiative (http://www.who.int/hinari/en) and a strong online presence, The Journal will continue to increase its global readership.
What Has Not Changed?
The Journal continues to serve as a practical guide for the continuing education of physicians who diagnose and treat disorders in infants, children, and adolescents.7 Our intent is to provide original, peer-reviewed articles oriented toward clinical practice to help physicians stay abreast of the latest developments in pediatric medicine. One industry measure of success is the fact that The Journal is ranked number 3 out of 78 pediatric journals, with an impact factor of 4.017.8 But the impact factor does not measure The Journal's enduring role in improving clinical practice outcomes, encouraging novel research, and providing information on pediatric fellowships. Given these notable achievements, we must continue to evolve and adapt to keep pace with the multiple issues facing pediatric health care providers and scientists.7
Articles appearing in The Journal continue to lead to changes in patient care, practice improvement, and further studies. Published material is the “first draft” of medical history—concepts and content that ultimately appear in standard textbooks. There is a persistent sense of intellectual curiosity among our readers (ie, “What's new in my field?”). Because the time available to acquire up-to-date information is limited for those in training as well as those in practice, we strive to publish concise and timely reports.1, 6 Our efforts to provide compendious information to our readers follow the tradition established by the preceding Editor, Dr. Joe Garfunkel (1977-1995), whose incisive and insightful editing skillfully truncated each accepted manuscript.7, 9 In addition, The Journal now has the capability to make supplementary material available as online-only pages, with a reference to the electronic material appearing in the print version.
Beyond standard content, Editors of The Journal have always expressed the desire to nurture the field. An article by Cooley et al10 in volume 1 titled, “The Responsibility of the Children's Hospital to Its Internes,” is particularly timely in view of the recent Institute of Medicine report on resident duty hours.11 In 2001, The Journal entered into an affiliation with the Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs, Inc. to publish policy reports, discussions, and commentaries related to contemporary issues regarding training, education, and certification. As Hellems et al note, this collaboration builds on The Journal's long-standing leadership role in pediatric training and workforce issues.1, 6, 7
The Future of The Journal
The Journal will continue to serve as the acknowledged bridge between primary care professionals and subspecialists, between clinicians and scientists, and therefore, “must reading” for all those with an interest in pediatrics.7 To provide readers with more Commentaries, Grand Rounds articles, Medical Progress articles, and Supplements, we will begin the search for a new section Editor who will initiate the solicitation and processing of these popular and insightful sections. We will explore possible new sections, including one focusing on well-illustrated, “classic” physical examinations to aid readers in developing thorough examination practices. We believe that the new reader-friendly format of the print version and continuing enhancements to the website (www.jpeds.com) will provide added value to The Journal's high-quality content. In January 2009, Dr. Lainie Friedman Ross, Associate Director of the MacLean Center for Medical Ethics at the University of Chicago, joined The Journal's Editorial Board to focus on the increasing number of ethical issues in medicine, as well as in publishing.
We pledge to provide a fair, objective editorial review of all solicited and unsolicited manuscripts, to encourage our authors with rapid turnaround on editorial decisions, to review potential gaps in coverage, and to solicit manuscripts addressing important advances from society meetings as needed. On behalf of our Associate Editors, Editorial Office, and Editorial Board, we thank our Publisher for their support, our reviewers for their advice and guidance, our authors for entrusting their work to us, and, most importantly, our loyal readers.
References
- . A review of The Journal of Pediatrics: The First 75 Years. J Pediatr. 2009;155:16–20
- . The first 50 years of The Journal of Pediatrics. J Pediatr. 1982;101:1–4
- Proceedings of the second annual meeting of the American Academy of Pediatrics: Saturday morning session, May 14, 1932. J Pediatr 1932;1:110–135.
- . American Academy of Pediatrics (History of), June 1930 to June 1951. Evanston, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics; 1951;
- . An acknowledgment. J Pediatr. 1960;56:147
- . A review of The Journal of Pediatrics: The First 50 Years. J Pediatr. 1982;101:5–11
- . Building on a tradition. J Pediatr. 1996;128:97–98
- 2008 Journal Citation Reports, published by Thomson Reuters.
- . Reflections of an editor on his retirement. J Pediatr. 1995;127:947
- . The responsibility of the children's hospital to its internes. J Pediatr. 1932;1:661–666
- . Revisiting duty-hour limits: IOM recommendations for patient safety and resident educatibox_texton. New Engl J Med. 2008;359:2633–2635
PII: S0022-3476(09)00446-6
doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2009.04.041
© 2009 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.
Refers to article:
- Looking Ahead to the Next 75 Years for The Journal of Pediatrics and Medical Publishing
- A Review of The Journal of Pediatrics: The First 75 Years , 17 October 2008