A Change in Direction and a Name Change

Abstract

Over the last year, the Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques has undergone a significant change under the guidance of the new executive editorial board. The journal now focuses solely on articles that are clinically relevant to a busy spine surgeon. Every issue of the journal has an article focusing on a highly controversial area in spine surgery with expert analyses of each side by recognized leaders in the spine community. In addition, each issue has a surgical technique article that provides a step-by-step guide for how to perform a spinal procedure. This technique article is accompanied by a high-resolution video of the procedure. Importantly, there are both narrative reviews and systematic reviews/meta-analyses in each issue; these reviews are critically important because the field of spine surgery is rapidly changing. The exponential growth of peer-reviewed publications makes it challenging for a clinical spine surgeon to stay up to date on the evidence-based spine care. Recognizing the proliferation of journals, the requirements for publication for primary research articles in this journal have been tightened. Although there are still a large number of previously accepted articles that need to be published, at present only level 1, 2, or 3 articles are being considered for publication. Because of these changes, readers of the journal are able to review controversies in spine care, existing surgical techniques and literature, and read primary research articles that may have a direct impact on patient care all in the same place. Lastly, in America and globally, some of the major challenges spine surgeons are facing involve the ever-changing health-care environment. Over the last 10 years, it has become clear that, to ensure patients have access to the highest quality of spine care, surgeons must engage in both the business and the political aspects of medicine. Recognizing this, every issue of the journal now has an article that will keep the readers informed on evidence-based business practices, payment trends, and health-care policy that may affect their practices. Because of these changes, the members of the executive editorial board no longer feel that the name, the Journal of Spinal Disorders and Techniques, reflects the present scope of the journal. It is with great excitement that we announce that the name of the journal is changing to Clinical Spine Surgery. It is our intention that this journal will become the source that clinical spine surgeons need to provide their patients high-level, evidence-based spine care.