Journal of Hand Surgery Asian-Pacific Volume: Current Status and the Future

Abstract

Our journal has changed its name and editorial office. As Chair of the Board of Management of the journal, I take this opportunity to thank Dr Akio Minami (Editor-in-Chief, 2009-2014) and the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand for their enormous contribution. Under his guidance, and that of previous Editorsin-Chief, Shew-Ping Chow (1996-2002) and Yoshikazu Ikuta (2003-2008), our journal has developed to a degree which allows it to stand with the European and American Journals of Hand Surgery. We enter a new era as the Journal of Hand Surgery, Asian-Pacific Volume, under the exciting direction of Goo Hyun Baek from Seoul, Korea, as the new Editorin-Chief. Yuan-Kun Tu (Taiwan) has joined Moroe Beppu (Japan) and Michael Tonkin (Australia) as co-editors. Some alterations have been made to the Editorial Board. All matters pertaining to article submission and publication remain with the editorial office, who direct our publishers (World Scientific Publishing Company WSPC) in the production of each issue. The Board of Management consists of Michael Tonkin (Chair), Yuan-Kun Tu (President, APFSSH), Goo Hyun Baek (Editor-in-Chief) and Moroe Beppu (Co-Editor). This Board is responsible for oversight of journal management, coordination of negotiations between the APFSSH, Editorial Board and publishers, and matters pertaining to the future development of the journal. Of course, financial issues have always been of some concern. Our aim has been to develop the quality of our journal by increasing the number of submitted articles which are considered for publication and increasing the number of issues each year, whilst maintaining financial viability. This relies upon the number of individuals and institutions which subscribe to the journal and the support we receive from companies wishing to advertise their wares. Our publishers, WSPC, provided set up funding in the first years of the journal, and we have maintained a low subscription cost US$50 per person for those members of APFSSH societies. We have increased the number of issues from two each year to three each year and intend in the near future to publish four issues each year. The cost of maintaining the editorial office and developing the journal to its current standard and beyond is significant. From 2016 the annual subscription rate will need to be increased to US$55 per year and it is probable that further small increases will be necessary in the future. We are certain that all will understand the need to increase subscription rates, particularly as these rates remain very low in comparison to the cost of most other journals. We acknowledge that WSPC has been very helpful in maintaining low subscription costs. May we encourage all member societies to subscribe to the Journal of Hand Surgery, Asian-Pacific Volume, and to recommend journal subscription to their members and associated institutions. We look forward to playing a major role in distributing the enormous amount of hand surgery knowledge currently emerging from Asian countries to those within our Federation and to the worldwide family of hand surgery and hand therapy.