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The Journal's Next Phase
Editor’s Page
The Journal’s Next Phase Stuart M. Weinstein, MD In the business world, successful start-ups are assessed primarily through fiscal benchmarks, such as customer acquisition costs, projected revenue per customer, and cost of product development. As companies begin to mature, the metrics evolve into more qualitative areas, such as customer experience, growth in referrals, and market penetration. There are many parallels between the start-up business model and the start-up scientific journal. In the beginning of PM&R’s existence, a business proforma was developed to predict the financial bottom line of the journal’s first few years of life. But as we enter our fifth year of publication, by most measures, PM&R is no longer considered a neophyte. So I would like to share with you, the loyal readers (ie, customers), a few qualitative metrics that highlight our growth and value as this journal enters its next stage of life. As this journal’s editor-in-chief, there is no greater reward than receiving compliments for a product that is both valuable and entertaining; after all, entertaining is difficult to pull off with a scientific product. But, as a testament to accomplishing this objective, countless members shared with me similar accolades during the recent The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) Annual Assembly in Atlanta. We have also recently completed a readers’ survey, and the preliminary assessment reveals high marks for both value and interest. PM&R has also experienced a steady rise in the number of manuscripts submitted, including manuscripts from international authors, and not just the quantity but also the quality of these manuscripts is steadily improving. I believe that researcher-authors have both recognized and respected the high standards that the PM&R editorial team has set for publication, and with the assistance of our publishing partner, Elsevier, PM&R is now included in various electronic institutional collections around the world. Electronic downloads of PM&R articles rose rapidly in 2012, which indicates broader access by, and penetration in, new markets. At a recent senior editorial board meeting, our team considered what extra value PM&R has to offer a potential author. Although not necessarily unique to PM&R, these points are further evidence to our strong commitment to delivering customer service from the entire PM&R team, and the benefits and value of submitting manuscripts to PM&R: Customer Service ● ● ● ● ●
The average time from submission to first decision is less than 6 weeks The final manuscript is available on-line within 5 days of acceptance No fees for authors Final article PDF is provided to authors upon publication Dedicated and responsive editorial office team Benefits of Publishing in PM&R
● ● ● ● ●
Widespread distribution: PM&R reaches more than 8000 readers, including all AAPM&R members, monthly Growing exposure: PM&R has been cited by 1100 publications since inception Indexed in various journal databases, including PubMed Recently accepted for Impact Factor by Thomson Reuters Strong clinical focus
There is much to look forward to in 2013. This is the 75th anniversary of AAPM&R. To highlight the amazing historical events and accomplishments of this organization, we will be publishing a monthly article as part of a series, entitled Invited Perspective-Historical Series. PM&R 1934-1482/13/$36.00 Printed in U.S.A.
S.M.W. University of Washington Sports and Spine, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Address correspondence to: S.M.W.; e-mail: [email protected] Disclosure: nothing to disclose Disclosure Key can be found on the Table of Contents and at www.pmrjournal.org
© 2013 by the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Vol. 5, 1-2, January 2013 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pmrj.2012.12.009
1
2
Weinstein
Elizabeth Sandel, MD, past-president of AAPM&R has taken the lead on this project, and I know that you will proudly read about the commitment of our predecessors in building a strong foundation for the current and future generations of physiatrists. Next, we eagerly await the announcement of our first impact factor in the summer. Being accepted by Thomson Reuters for an impact factor is a huge milestone in any scientific journal’s life, and, regardless of the actual number that we receive this year, this acknowledgement catapults
PM&R well into the circle of respected journals. Finally, we will continue to emphasize our global outreach and engagement, and what a perfect year to continue this with the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine annual meeting to be held in Beijing, China. Thanks to all of our readers and corporate advertisers for your support in advancing the journal’s mission of presenting the highest quality clinical research and evidence in the field!
The Journal’s Next Phase Stuart M. Weinstein, MD In the business world, successful start-ups are assessed primarily through fiscal benchmarks, such as customer acquisition costs, projected revenue per customer, and cost of product development. As companies begin to mature, the metrics evolve into more qualitative areas, such as customer experience, growth in referrals, and market penetration. There are many parallels between the start-up business model and the start-up scientific journal. In the beginning of PM&R’s existence, a business proforma was developed to predict the financial bottom line of the journal’s first few years of life. But as we enter our fifth year of publication, by most measures, PM&R is no longer considered a neophyte. So I would like to share with you, the loyal readers (ie, customers), a few qualitative metrics that highlight our growth and value as this journal enters its next stage of life. As this journal’s editor-in-chief, there is no greater reward than receiving compliments for a product that is both valuable and entertaining; after all, entertaining is difficult to pull off with a scientific product. But, as a testament to accomplishing this objective, countless members shared with me similar accolades during the recent The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) Annual Assembly in Atlanta. We have also recently completed a readers’ survey, and the preliminary assessment reveals high marks for both value and interest. PM&R has also experienced a steady rise in the number of manuscripts submitted, including manuscripts from international authors, and not just the quantity but also the quality of these manuscripts is steadily improving. I believe that researcher-authors have both recognized and respected the high standards that the PM&R editorial team has set for publication, and with the assistance of our publishing partner, Elsevier, PM&R is now included in various electronic institutional collections around the world. Electronic downloads of PM&R articles rose rapidly in 2012, which indicates broader access by, and penetration in, new markets. At a recent senior editorial board meeting, our team considered what extra value PM&R has to offer a potential author. Although not necessarily unique to PM&R, these points are further evidence to our strong commitment to delivering customer service from the entire PM&R team, and the benefits and value of submitting manuscripts to PM&R: Customer Service ● ● ● ● ●
The average time from submission to first decision is less than 6 weeks The final manuscript is available on-line within 5 days of acceptance No fees for authors Final article PDF is provided to authors upon publication Dedicated and responsive editorial office team Benefits of Publishing in PM&R
● ● ● ● ●
Widespread distribution: PM&R reaches more than 8000 readers, including all AAPM&R members, monthly Growing exposure: PM&R has been cited by 1100 publications since inception Indexed in various journal databases, including PubMed Recently accepted for Impact Factor by Thomson Reuters Strong clinical focus
There is much to look forward to in 2013. This is the 75th anniversary of AAPM&R. To highlight the amazing historical events and accomplishments of this organization, we will be publishing a monthly article as part of a series, entitled Invited Perspective-Historical Series. PM&R 1934-1482/13/$36.00 Printed in U.S.A.
S.M.W. University of Washington Sports and Spine, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Address correspondence to: S.M.W.; e-mail: [email protected] Disclosure: nothing to disclose Disclosure Key can be found on the Table of Contents and at www.pmrjournal.org
© 2013 by the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Vol. 5, 1-2, January 2013 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pmrj.2012.12.009
1
2
Weinstein
Elizabeth Sandel, MD, past-president of AAPM&R has taken the lead on this project, and I know that you will proudly read about the commitment of our predecessors in building a strong foundation for the current and future generations of physiatrists. Next, we eagerly await the announcement of our first impact factor in the summer. Being accepted by Thomson Reuters for an impact factor is a huge milestone in any scientific journal’s life, and, regardless of the actual number that we receive this year, this acknowledgement catapults
PM&R well into the circle of respected journals. Finally, we will continue to emphasize our global outreach and engagement, and what a perfect year to continue this with the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine annual meeting to be held in Beijing, China. Thanks to all of our readers and corporate advertisers for your support in advancing the journal’s mission of presenting the highest quality clinical research and evidence in the field!