Review Sections' Expansion

Abstract

This issue of The Journal of Hand Surgery has a novel addition in the Review component, titled Hand Surgery Practice, 1 of 4 additions that you will see in coming months. The other additions are Hand Surgery Complications, Hand Syndromes, and Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews.In 2006, I was charged by Richard Gelberman to head a work group to organize a new review component to the Journal. Members of this group were Steve Glickel, Dawn LaPorte, and Charles Goldfarb. The objectives were (1) to suggest options for converting the review component of the Journal into an innovative cyclical forum with an organized curriculum; (2) to study best-in-field options and to design the optimal format, article type, and style; (3) to recommend a timeline for the review cycle; (4) to propose methods for integrating the new review journal with maintenance of certification; and (5) to suggest an appropriate list of topics for the curriculum.The work group generated a report with specific recommendations for expanding the scope of the Journal and establishing a new format for review articles. In response, an organized Review component for the Journal was launched in 2008 along with the current 4 sections: Evidence-Based Medicine, Surgical Technique, In Brief, and Current Concepts. The proposed 60 topics became the core curriculum that rotates every 3 years within the Current Concepts section. A continuing medical education offering was also incorporated.1Kozin S. Journal CME launch: editorial.J Hand Surg Am. 2009; 34: 981-982Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (1) Google Scholar Scott Kozin, as the review editor for 5 years, carried out his charge commendably and sustained the solid foundation of the Review component.Each of the 4 new sections will be published triennially; hence, each Journal issue will have 1 of these sections. The Hand Surgery Practice section includes topics related to practice management, ethics and professionalism, legal matters, and education. Hand Surgery Complications highlights articles focusing on complications in hand surgery and their prevention. Hand Syndromes incorporates articles describing a syndrome with a congenital hand difference that is a salient feature of that syndrome. Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews2Hammert W. Ring D. Kozin S. Evidence-based hand and upper extremity surgery: editorial.J Hand Surg Am. 2013; 38: 1Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2) Google Scholar began appearing in 2013 with the objective of increasing awareness of evidence-based medicine and appreciation of the scientific method by critiquing high level of evidence clinical research articles from different peer-reviewed journals.Recently, I generated guidelines for each new section that will be helpful to authors (http://jhandsurg.org/authorinfo). Acquisition of articles for the 8 review sections is either from unsolicited submissions or from invited experts. In addition, letters to the editor for review articles are welcome.The editorial board will continue advancing the Journal's mission3Meals R. The journal's mission: editorial.J Hand Surg Am. 2011; 36: 1-2Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (1) Google Scholar of promoting the publication of high-quality articles and disseminating hand surgery knowledge to its readers. The new sections of the Review component will also offer greater opportunity for author participation and greater value to readers. This issue of The Journal of Hand Surgery has a novel addition in the Review component, titled Hand Surgery Practice, 1 of 4 additions that you will see in coming months. The other additions are Hand Surgery Complications, Hand Syndromes, and Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews. In 2006, I was charged by Richard Gelberman to head a work group to organize a new review component to the Journal. Members of this group were Steve Glickel, Dawn LaPorte, and Charles Goldfarb. The objectives were (1) to suggest options for converting the review component of the Journal into an innovative cyclical forum with an organized curriculum; (2) to study best-in-field options and to design the optimal format, article type, and style; (3) to recommend a timeline for the review cycle; (4) to propose methods for integrating the new review journal with maintenance of certification; and (5) to suggest an appropriate list of topics for the curriculum. The work group generated a report with specific recommendations for expanding the scope of the Journal and establishing a new format for review articles. In response, an organized Review component for the Journal was launched in 2008 along with the current 4 sections: Evidence-Based Medicine, Surgical Technique, In Brief, and Current Concepts. The proposed 60 topics became the core curriculum that rotates every 3 years within the Current Concepts section. A continuing medical education offering was also incorporated.1Kozin S. Journal CME launch: editorial.J Hand Surg Am. 2009; 34: 981-982Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (1) Google Scholar Scott Kozin, as the review editor for 5 years, carried out his charge commendably and sustained the solid foundation of the Review component. Each of the 4 new sections will be published triennially; hence, each Journal issue will have 1 of these sections. The Hand Surgery Practice section includes topics related to practice management, ethics and professionalism, legal matters, and education. Hand Surgery Complications highlights articles focusing on complications in hand surgery and their prevention. Hand Syndromes incorporates articles describing a syndrome with a congenital hand difference that is a salient feature of that syndrome. Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews2Hammert W. Ring D. Kozin S. Evidence-based hand and upper extremity surgery: editorial.J Hand Surg Am. 2013; 38: 1Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (2) Google Scholar began appearing in 2013 with the objective of increasing awareness of evidence-based medicine and appreciation of the scientific method by critiquing high level of evidence clinical research articles from different peer-reviewed journals. Recently, I generated guidelines for each new section that will be helpful to authors (http://jhandsurg.org/authorinfo). Acquisition of articles for the 8 review sections is either from unsolicited submissions or from invited experts. In addition, letters to the editor for review articles are welcome. The editorial board will continue advancing the Journal's mission3Meals R. The journal's mission: editorial.J Hand Surg Am. 2011; 36: 1-2Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF Scopus (1) Google Scholar of promoting the publication of high-quality articles and disseminating hand surgery knowledge to its readers. The new sections of the Review component will also offer greater opportunity for author participation and greater value to readers.