Reply: Is it Time to Launch JACC: Early Career?

Abstract

We thank Drs. Shenoy and Tuliani for their kind letter and novel idea in response to our report (1). We agree that early career academic cardiologists are in need of publications. Publications are the scientific currency that enables early career academic cardiologists to achieve recognition and grants for successful progression. Unfortunately, in parallel with decreasing funding opportunities, publishing in respected journals has grown more difficult. Thus, early career academic cardiologists might greatly benefit from dedicated space in a high-impact journal such as Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC). There are important factors that need to be considered carefully before launching an exclusively early career journal. We should avoid the appearance of an early career journal as a reservoir of less than compelling research. Additionally, starting a journal is a large undertaking that requires commitment of resources from the American College of Cardiology and our academic workgroup. In an environment of limited means, a more effective use of resources is to dedicate funding and mentorship to early career cardiologists and trainees. With this support, early career investigators will have greater chances of publishing in well-respected pre-existing journals. There are alternatives to launching a new journal that still provide publication space for early career members. For example, in JACC or one of its associated journals, there could be a dedicated issue each year or one paper per issue that highlights research of emerging young investigators. Other paper types include reviews or viewpoint pieces that particularly address issues, challenges, and opportunities for early stage investigators. Furthermore, we could ask early career members to rotate on the editorial board to ensure the review process has an early career perspective; this would also provide a valuable career development opportunity for these junior investigators. We appreciate the passion and the novel proposal of Drs. Shenoy and Tuliani. It has stimulated our workgroup to consider these important issues, which we plan to discuss further with forthcoming recommendations to promote greater development and flourishing of early stage investigators.