Pediatrics in Review at 25

Abstract

Maturity is defined variously: 18-year-olds can vote, serve in the military, and buy tobacco; 21-year-olds can purchase alcohol; and new evidence of frontal lobe development continuing into one’s mid-20s and beyond has reassured many of us about our children’s and grandchildren’s futures. Most agree that by age 25 years, some maturity is achieved, even while recognizing that development continues throughout life. So, it is with considerable gratification that we celebrate the 25th year of Pediatrics in Review (PIR). This publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides succinct and relevant continuing medical education for child health clinicians. To be historically correct, the first issue of PIR appeared in July 1979. Volumes changed to a calendar year with Volume 13 in January 1992. With this July issue, we are now half way through our 25th volume or year of publication.What are the origins of this effort? The AAP, since its inception, has been committed to the education of its pediatrician members as one of a number of ways to improve the health of America’s children. In May 1977, The American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) approved a plan for recertifying pediatricians. It was also agreed that the AAP would develop education programs to support pediatricians in preparation for recertification. It is beyond the scope of this brief history to go into the details and changes over time, but the Pediatric Review and Education Program (PREP) was born with two components: 1) a self-assessment, via questions and critiques based on educational objectives developed in concert by the AAP and the ABP, and 2) PIR, a journal of continuing education, also based on these educational objectives.In my first PIR editorial (July 1979), I pointed out that PIR, more than any other journal, will contain what the practitioner needs to know to provide the most effective, up-to-date patient care. Not intended as a research journal, PIR was the first continuing education journal focused entirely on clinical pediatrics. The editorial board and the authors have been recognized leaders in pediatric practice and academia. As a result, the product is a reasoned, thoughtful review of clinical conditions.Although supported in part by a generous donation from Ross Laboratories, PIR has, from its inception, carried no advertising. This has allowed us to keep the pages of the journal clean and the eyes of our readers focused. Although not intended primarily for pediatric residents, it has found a very useful niche in medical student and pediatric resident education. Its nearly 33,000 domestic and nearly 43,000 international circulation is one evidence of its acceptance by pediatricians throughout the world as a respected source of pediatric clinical knowledge.Several special features have been added over time in addition to review articles—the ever-popular Index of Suspicion as well as Back to Basics, Visual Diagnosis, Questions from the Clinician, and In Briefs (abstracts of current literature)—evidence that 25 years of experience does not mean keeping the status quo. In the past few years, PIR developed an electronic edition that allows the inclusion of much more material than the print version—additional references, tables, figures, and multimedia, including video to illuminate clinical conditions.I am proud to have been Editor-in-Chief for PIR’s first 25 years and am convinced that the next 25 will be even more illustrious!–RJH