- Email: [email protected]
The Origins of a New Journal
The Origins of a New Journal N THE PAST FEW YEARS, the professional membership of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) has almost tripled. Professional education is one of the major goals of the organization. To meet this goal and to provide the increasing professional membership with new educational opportunities, the Annual Spring Clinical Nephrology Meetings were initiated by the NKF in 1992. In planning for the first meeting, the perpetual question was: "Is there a need for another meeting and who will come?" Much to the pleasant surprise of all those who helped put together that inaugural meeting, attendance was over twice what had been anticipated. By any measure, the First Annual Spring Clinical Nephrology Meetings were an unqualified success and were enthusiastically received and supported by the nephrology community. It is with the same anxiety and expectant anticipation that the publication of the inaugural issue of Advances in Renal Replacement Therapy, this newest venture of the NKF into professional education, was made to coincide with the Third Annual Clinical Nephrology Meetings in 1994. The plan to initiate a publication whose primary focus will be on renal replacement therapy was undertaken after considerable discussion, deliberation, and consultation. The obvious questions were: why another publication, is a new journal needed, who will read it, will it be a successful publication? After all, the NKF already has an official journal, The American Journal of Kidney Diseases, which is faring very well and meeting the Foundation's educational goals. The Foundation has also embarked on the publication of The Journal of Renal Nutrition, addressed to a specific segment of its professional membership. Why then yet another publication, especially since the number of nephrology periodicals has increased exponentially over the past decade? It is no revelation to state that what has contributed to the growth and maturation of nephrology has been the introduction and subsequent evolution of renal replacement therapy. Yet, the principal peer-reviewed publications that exist have devoted a relatively small segment of their pages to renal replace-
I
ment therapy compared with that devoted to the physiology, pathology, and molecular biology of diseases of the kidney. Of course this is important and how it should be, for it is the latter that will ultimately contribute to the cure of kidney disease and obviate the need for renal replacement therapy. The fact of the matter is that renal replacement therapy was orphaned for quite a while. The existing need for its coverage has been partially addressed by a series of non-peer-reviewed and nonsubscription-based publications sponsored by different interest groups and concerns. Perhaps the best indication of the need for a new journal came from the response to the quest for an editor of the new publication. Once the decision was made to explore the publication of a new dialysis journal, a committee was appointed to explore its feasibility and select an Editor and Associate Editor. The committee consisted of Garabed Eknoyan, Saulo Klahr, Joel D. Kopple, Neil A. Kurtzman, David B.N. Lee, Joseph M. Letteri, Shaul G. Massry, William J. Matter, Leonor Ponferrada, and James F. Winchester. The committee expressed the same general concerns about a new publication, but decided that there was, most likely, a need for a peer-reviewed journal in renal replacement therapy. The response to the announcement seeking editorial nominations was most encouraging. The cover letters nominating editorial candidates were supportive and only reinforced the decision to proceed with the new publication. Everyone of the nominated individuals was highly qualified and the choice of an editor became difficult but certainly gratifying. The more the committee deliberated, the more it became obvious that two individuals stood out for becoming Editor and Associate Editor of the journal. The Foundation was indeed fortunate that Allen R. Nissenson accepted the position of Editor-in-Chief and Nancy Hoffart that of Associate Editor of the new publication. They bring unique skills, energy, and vision that are bound to lead to the success of the publication. The selection of Juan P. Bosch to a special position on the Editorial Board as an associate editor was a recommendation of the committee that was graciously accepted
Advances in Renal Replacement Therapy, Vall, No 1 (April), 1994: pp 3-4
3
4
Eknoyan and Massry
by Doctors Bosch, Nissenson, and Hoffart. He brings a special talent, wisdom, and insight that strengthens the group of individuals charged with making this new publication a reality. The delivery of renal replacement therapy requires the effort and ability of several disciplines. From the outset, it was decided that the new publication would address the educational needs of all professionals involved in the delivery of renal replacement therapy and that the multidisciplinary nature of its coverage would be reflected in its content and Editorial Board. In addition to scholarly articles, the publication would address issues of practical relevance covering nursing, technical, nutritional, economic, and psychosocial aspects, as well as the quality of care delivered to the renal patient. As such, it is expected to have a broad readership whose needs, heretofore, have been addressed in fragmentary fashion. Because the ultimate purpose of the NKF and, by extension, of this publication is the improvement of the welfare and quality of care of patients with kidney failure, it is only
natural that the journal should assume a holistic approach and address the educational needs of the whole team that attends to the needs of the patient requiring renal replacement therapy. It is with considerable pride that all those who have contributed to this new educational undertaking of the NKF now place the first issue of ARRT in your hands. The decision as to whether it was needed and will be successful is now yours. The support of the professional membership of the Foundation has been essential to the success of all of its past endeavors. The traditional care, effort, and commitment to excellence of the Foundation has gone into preparing this new educational effort. We trust that we can count on the continued support of all professionals concerned in the care of patients with renal failure of this new educational project. We are confident that ARRT will be a success. GARABED EKNOYAN SHAUL
G. MASSRY
I
ment therapy compared with that devoted to the physiology, pathology, and molecular biology of diseases of the kidney. Of course this is important and how it should be, for it is the latter that will ultimately contribute to the cure of kidney disease and obviate the need for renal replacement therapy. The fact of the matter is that renal replacement therapy was orphaned for quite a while. The existing need for its coverage has been partially addressed by a series of non-peer-reviewed and nonsubscription-based publications sponsored by different interest groups and concerns. Perhaps the best indication of the need for a new journal came from the response to the quest for an editor of the new publication. Once the decision was made to explore the publication of a new dialysis journal, a committee was appointed to explore its feasibility and select an Editor and Associate Editor. The committee consisted of Garabed Eknoyan, Saulo Klahr, Joel D. Kopple, Neil A. Kurtzman, David B.N. Lee, Joseph M. Letteri, Shaul G. Massry, William J. Matter, Leonor Ponferrada, and James F. Winchester. The committee expressed the same general concerns about a new publication, but decided that there was, most likely, a need for a peer-reviewed journal in renal replacement therapy. The response to the announcement seeking editorial nominations was most encouraging. The cover letters nominating editorial candidates were supportive and only reinforced the decision to proceed with the new publication. Everyone of the nominated individuals was highly qualified and the choice of an editor became difficult but certainly gratifying. The more the committee deliberated, the more it became obvious that two individuals stood out for becoming Editor and Associate Editor of the journal. The Foundation was indeed fortunate that Allen R. Nissenson accepted the position of Editor-in-Chief and Nancy Hoffart that of Associate Editor of the new publication. They bring unique skills, energy, and vision that are bound to lead to the success of the publication. The selection of Juan P. Bosch to a special position on the Editorial Board as an associate editor was a recommendation of the committee that was graciously accepted
Advances in Renal Replacement Therapy, Vall, No 1 (April), 1994: pp 3-4
3
4
Eknoyan and Massry
by Doctors Bosch, Nissenson, and Hoffart. He brings a special talent, wisdom, and insight that strengthens the group of individuals charged with making this new publication a reality. The delivery of renal replacement therapy requires the effort and ability of several disciplines. From the outset, it was decided that the new publication would address the educational needs of all professionals involved in the delivery of renal replacement therapy and that the multidisciplinary nature of its coverage would be reflected in its content and Editorial Board. In addition to scholarly articles, the publication would address issues of practical relevance covering nursing, technical, nutritional, economic, and psychosocial aspects, as well as the quality of care delivered to the renal patient. As such, it is expected to have a broad readership whose needs, heretofore, have been addressed in fragmentary fashion. Because the ultimate purpose of the NKF and, by extension, of this publication is the improvement of the welfare and quality of care of patients with kidney failure, it is only
natural that the journal should assume a holistic approach and address the educational needs of the whole team that attends to the needs of the patient requiring renal replacement therapy. It is with considerable pride that all those who have contributed to this new educational undertaking of the NKF now place the first issue of ARRT in your hands. The decision as to whether it was needed and will be successful is now yours. The support of the professional membership of the Foundation has been essential to the success of all of its past endeavors. The traditional care, effort, and commitment to excellence of the Foundation has gone into preparing this new educational effort. We trust that we can count on the continued support of all professionals concerned in the care of patients with renal failure of this new educational project. We are confident that ARRT will be a success. GARABED EKNOYAN SHAUL
G. MASSRY