Editorial Announcement

Abstract

There are a number of changes to the editorial policies of the Journal that have recently been established or are planned, that we would like to bring to the attention of the readership. These will help the Journal better serve the clinical and scientific gastroenterology and hepatology community. The changes have occurred as the editorship has evolved over the last few years. Didier Lebrec joined George Misiewicz as co-editor, to allow a focus on the processing of hepatology submissions, during the last three years of George's tenure. As the original editor, George built and secured the Journal's standing over two decades, and was succeeded by Reinhold Stockbrugger in April 2008. The most visible recent change is that of the cover starting from this month's issue, the new International Editorial Board that was established and has been functioning since January 2009, and the launch of a new journal online platform. Other changes to the editorial processes have been introduced and will silently start to have their effect with time on the content we publish in the Journal. What we publish cannot by its nature be achieved by the editors alone but in close co-operation with the editorial board, and the interested professional and scientific community served by the Journal. Editorial and publishing processes Since 2008 the quality of the editorial processes has been improved by a number of measures, including: (i) increasing the reservoir of qualified reviewers – their crucial work rewarded by the offer of a discount on the purchase price of the publisher's products; (ii) a reduction in the maximum time for the completion of a report by a reviewer, and review of subsequent revisions to 21, and 10 days, respectively. These time limits are rigidly monitored by the editorial office. The effort has resulted in a reduction of time to first decision to the author by 50% to 28 days during 2008; and (iii) publishing articles online ahead of appearance in the printed issue, with subsequent listing on PubMed, and the launch of a new journal platform (www.eurojgh.com) focused on what users want from a journal website. Journal contents The Publisher, editors and members of the international editorial board agreed upon the continuation of a predominantly clinical profile of Journal content. However, in the future, basic science will also be published, particularly if it is in the context of translational research. In the global arena, the Journal will engage in reflecting the increasing strength of European and Mediterranean gastroenterology and hepatology with special attention to the emerging countries in this geographic area. From North and South America and Asian-Pacific areas articles will receive a preference if they refer to or compare with European data and developments. A new editorial feature will link with initiatives taken by European professional organisations such as the ASNEMGE, EAGE, and the UEGF in general. The Journal will pay attention to postgraduate teaching for young investigators and clinicians by printed and online initiatives. We will encourage young colleagues (below the age of 30 years) who submit as the corresponding author their first article to the Journal by assisting them, with the help of international editorial board members, in improving the quality of content. Those articles will also get special visibility in the Journal. Finally ways to earn credits for Continuous Medical Education (CME) via the Journal will be explored. Conclusion and hope The Publisher and editors are well aware of the ever increasing competition in the sector of medical publications and the dissemination of this information. With great respect and admiration for the work done in the previous 21 years, we feel obliged not only to further improve the impact of the Journal, but also to become – within the discipline - forerunners in supporting Europe as an equal actor for global progress, in association with friends and partners from the North and South America, and Pacific zones. Didier Lebreca Reinhold Stockbruggerb aParis, France bFerrara, Italy