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Editorial |
Editor
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Figure. James R. Scott, MD Editor.
Information overload is a problem for today's physicians, and the situation is getting worse. The sheer volume of new material is overwhelming, and even the most conscientious physician cannot keep up with the medical literature, let alone with all the new drugs and developments. At Obstetrics & Gynecology we focus on publishing articles that are clinically important and have results that are valid. Scientific integrity is the bottom line. Nevertheless, all journals are dependent on what is submitted to them. Original research tends to follow cycles based on funding sources, investigators’ interests, and current trends. Moreover, there are no randomized trials to support over half of what we do and must make decisions about every day. This reality was the original motivation for the "best evidence" Clinical Expert Series, which has been extremely popular with our readers. With this issue, we introduce two additional new features for which I believe the time has come.
In the Trenches is a new series edited by Ingrid Nygaard, md. Dr. Nygaard is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Iowa and has been a valuable member of the Editorial Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology. She is a skilled clinician, researcher, teacher, and reviewer. The purpose of this feature is to educate readers about management of common clinical scenarios that are infrequently described in the literature read by most obstetrician-gynecologists. Each case will have challenging questions on management issues answered by experts. Manuscripts will undergo peer review by a member of the Obstetrics & Gynecology Editorial Board and two members of a special board composed of practitioners from both academic and private settings. The first case involves a perimenopausal woman with hot flushes and a skin rash that I think you will find interesting (see page 397). Dr. Nygaard has lined up a series of topics and discussants, and she welcomes your input. Suggestions for cases to be discussed can be sent to her by e-mail at ingrid-nygaard{at}uiowa.edu.
The Medical Letter is an unbiased source of evaluations of all new medications that come on the market in the United States. A panel of experts with no financial ties or conflicts of interest gather the best evidence available about each new drug and develop objective recommendations regarding its use. These reports cover effectiveness, adverse effects, and cost compared with other drugs in the same class. I can vouch for the usefulness of The Medical Letter because I have subscribed to it since I began practicing medicine. Selective reporting of research, misleading marketing practices of some pharmaceutical companies, and the recent debacles over withdrawn products illustrate the need for an independent source that physicians and the public can trust. I will select reviews of those agents I consider most pertinent to obstetrician-gynecologists, and we will publish them every few months (see page 427).
Each year we review the Green Journal's format and content as well as reader feedback to ensure that we are meeting our goals. I hope you enjoy these new features and find them practical in your efforts to provide the best medical care for your patients.
doi:10.1097/01.AOG.0000153142.12137.b7
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