The evolution of the global spine journal.

Abstract

I am so excited about the new year and the combination of the Global Spine Journal (GSJ) and Evidence-Based Spine-Care Journal (EBSJ) into a single, international journal formally called the Global Spine Journal (GSJ). This combination allows for the maturation of the official journals of AOSpine International into a single, high-quality scientific academic publication. This will consist of the Global Spine Journal with original research articles, case reports, and review articles. The high-quality outstanding evidence-based reviews, that are typically associated with EBSJ, will be published as special issues of GSJ twice each year. This combined with the new open-access format of the journal, will allow for the appropriate dissemination of the international research and educational missions of AOSpine International. In 2015 we will be improving options for readers to access and download papers via their tablets/phones with a downloadable browser app. We will also be awarding our very first best paper prize to an author who published in 2014. In addition, our ongoing podcast series will continue to highlight key papers published in the journal. You can subscribe to these episodes via iTunes or download direct from the journals homepage. AOSpine continues to represent a truly global membership and academic spine society, with its mission dedicated to education, research, and community-development on a world-wide basis. This journal format will continue to allow the global research in the spine arena to be developed and presented to the world, along with challenging cases and superb review articles that will keep each spine practitioner up to date on the latest developments and ultimately allow for better patient care. I want to thank my two other Chief Editors of this publication, Jens Chapman, MD, and Karsten Wiechert, MD, for all of their efforts in launching this important endeavor. With their guidance, I am confident that this publication will be a leading academic forum for the presentation of spinal research and knowledge, and continue to fulfill the mission of the AOSpine professional medical association. I wish all of our readers and members a Happy New Year and I sincerely look forward to the years to come.