EDITORIAL
Medicine, Yes; Politics, No! In recent months there has been a great deal of discussion about whether a scholarly journal should publish content involving political events with no obvious connection to medicine. As an Editor-in-Chief of a journal owned and published by Elsevier, I have listened long and hard to many respected colleagues and academics debate the topic of whether a medical journal should ever publish content that strays into the arena of nonmedical politics. My own personal response to the letter recently published in The Lancet was both visceral and outraged. But this editorial is not about my feelings, or about what one might think of the editorial policies that started this debate. Rather, the issue at the heart of the angry public response to this published material is as follows: Should a medical journal ever publish material that relates to current events having little or nothing to do with medicine? We all know the famous quotation, “To err is human.” Certainly, as an individual, I have made my own errors, including editorial errors in accepting an article or a commentary that should not have been published. Nevertheless, even in error, I have always endeavored to do what I felt was best for The American Journal of Medicine and for our physician and wider health care audience. Bearing this in mind, it has been the explicit policy of The American Journal of Medicine throughout the 10 years of this editorial board’s tenure to publish only material that would assist physicians, medical students, and medical educators to adhere to the very best principles of medical care. We have not in the past, and we will not in the future publish nonmedical political material of any nature or from any side, because we feel that such communications belong in newspapers, political journals, and Web sites expressly dedicated to current events and politics, both national and international. I feel strongly that editorial content that is without basis in science or the delivery of health care has absolutely no place in a medical journal. Many of my colleagues in medical publishing have expressed similar feelings. Recently, 8 endocrine journal editors, together with a number of leaders of professional diabetic and endocrine societies in the US and Europe, published the following credo1-14: “We, as representatives of scientific organizations devoted to improving health care and advancing research, Funding: None. Conflict of Interest: None. Authorship: The author is solely responsible for the content of this manuscript. 0002-9343/$ -see front matter Ó 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2014.11.005
reaffirm that it is the mission of our respective medical journals to report and disseminate data from scientific investigation, evolving medical care, and innovative treatments. We believe these reports serve to unite basic scientists, clinical investigators, and medical professionals regardless of their country of origin, ethnic group, or political leaning. We believe that these efforts achieve the common goal of advancing scientific discoveries that lead to the improved health of people worldwide. On the basis of our goals and principles, our respective journals will refrain from publishing articles addressing political issues that are outside of either research funding or health care delivery.” As the editor in chief of The American Journal of Medicine, I am adding our unconditional support to this statement. The AJM will not publish nonmedical political material. As always, I welcome communications concerning this opinion piece at [email protected] or on our blog at amjmed.org. Joseph S. Alpert, MD Professor of Medicine University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson Editor-in-Chief The American Journal of Medicine
References 1. William T. Cefalu, MD, Editor in Chief, Diabetes Care. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i¼HEV_Iefok2SvLo82MSMcAw. Accessed November 5, 2014. 2. K. Sreekumaran Nair, MD, PhD, Editor in Chief, Diabetes. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i¼f9wNnjAjfyLEaWZ1wV7_oA. Accessed November 5, 2014. 3. Elizabeth R. Seaquist, MD, President, Medicine and Science, American Diabetes Association. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R? i¼QAZs3c6Zp5Xp8OCmkM4d_w. Accessed November 5, 2014. 4. Juleen Zierath, PhD, Editor in Chief, Diabetologia. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i¼buWSR3MuDiDO8kuMtQSB0w. Accessed November 5, 2014. 5. Andrew J. M. Boulton, MD, President, European Association for the Study of Diabetes. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R? i¼O0LMdXc8KtiKxnWw1LI2xQ. Accessed November 5, 2014. 6. Derek LeRoith, MD, PhD, Editor in Chief, Endocrine Practice. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i¼YoZB2_fcl9wtSSOTNH14uA. Accessed November 5, 2014. 7. R. Mack Harrell, MD, President, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i¼OAo DHlipPzqTM_LravJnxA. Accessed November 5, 2014. 8. George Grunberger, MD, President Elect, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R? i¼HTTMUD_WlMJrUoeHSfKmUw. Accessed November 5, 2014.
212 9. Leonard Wartofsky, MD, Editor in Chief, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/ site/R?i¼DH6I1a0vO2U6ZRHP7lT_qQ. Accessed November 5, 2014. 10. Andrea C. Gore, PhD, Editor in Chief, Endocrinology. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i¼bTsFp3CcszYO8FwZLvPyKQ. Accessed November 5, 2014. 11. Margaret Wierman, MD, Acting Editor in Chief, Endocrine Reviews. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i¼GC0bH0oBRkrmC3Y qhWmw6g. Accessed November 5, 2014.
The American Journal of Medicine, Vol 128, No 3, March 2015 12. Stephen R. Hammes, MD, PhD, Editor in Chief, Molecular Endocrinology. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i¼eUJt8LYZN9 awykx3NG_qGA. Accessed November 5, 2014. 13. Carol A. Lange, PhD, Editor in Chief, Hormones and Cancer. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i¼xYeUYwG7sh1nlDgtn_ gJKQ. Accessed November 5, 2014. 14. Richard J. Santen, MD, President, Endocrine Society. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i¼a824yrbn04P92k4tF58mWQ. Accessed November 5, 2014.
Medicine, Yes; Politics, No! In recent months there has been a great deal of discussion about whether a scholarly journal should publish content involving political events with no obvious connection to medicine. As an Editor-in-Chief of a journal owned and published by Elsevier, I have listened long and hard to many respected colleagues and academics debate the topic of whether a medical journal should ever publish content that strays into the arena of nonmedical politics. My own personal response to the letter recently published in The Lancet was both visceral and outraged. But this editorial is not about my feelings, or about what one might think of the editorial policies that started this debate. Rather, the issue at the heart of the angry public response to this published material is as follows: Should a medical journal ever publish material that relates to current events having little or nothing to do with medicine? We all know the famous quotation, “To err is human.” Certainly, as an individual, I have made my own errors, including editorial errors in accepting an article or a commentary that should not have been published. Nevertheless, even in error, I have always endeavored to do what I felt was best for The American Journal of Medicine and for our physician and wider health care audience. Bearing this in mind, it has been the explicit policy of The American Journal of Medicine throughout the 10 years of this editorial board’s tenure to publish only material that would assist physicians, medical students, and medical educators to adhere to the very best principles of medical care. We have not in the past, and we will not in the future publish nonmedical political material of any nature or from any side, because we feel that such communications belong in newspapers, political journals, and Web sites expressly dedicated to current events and politics, both national and international. I feel strongly that editorial content that is without basis in science or the delivery of health care has absolutely no place in a medical journal. Many of my colleagues in medical publishing have expressed similar feelings. Recently, 8 endocrine journal editors, together with a number of leaders of professional diabetic and endocrine societies in the US and Europe, published the following credo1-14: “We, as representatives of scientific organizations devoted to improving health care and advancing research, Funding: None. Conflict of Interest: None. Authorship: The author is solely responsible for the content of this manuscript. 0002-9343/$ -see front matter Ó 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2014.11.005
reaffirm that it is the mission of our respective medical journals to report and disseminate data from scientific investigation, evolving medical care, and innovative treatments. We believe these reports serve to unite basic scientists, clinical investigators, and medical professionals regardless of their country of origin, ethnic group, or political leaning. We believe that these efforts achieve the common goal of advancing scientific discoveries that lead to the improved health of people worldwide. On the basis of our goals and principles, our respective journals will refrain from publishing articles addressing political issues that are outside of either research funding or health care delivery.” As the editor in chief of The American Journal of Medicine, I am adding our unconditional support to this statement. The AJM will not publish nonmedical political material. As always, I welcome communications concerning this opinion piece at [email protected] or on our blog at amjmed.org. Joseph S. Alpert, MD Professor of Medicine University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson Editor-in-Chief The American Journal of Medicine
References 1. William T. Cefalu, MD, Editor in Chief, Diabetes Care. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i¼HEV_Iefok2SvLo82MSMcAw. Accessed November 5, 2014. 2. K. Sreekumaran Nair, MD, PhD, Editor in Chief, Diabetes. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i¼f9wNnjAjfyLEaWZ1wV7_oA. Accessed November 5, 2014. 3. Elizabeth R. Seaquist, MD, President, Medicine and Science, American Diabetes Association. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R? i¼QAZs3c6Zp5Xp8OCmkM4d_w. Accessed November 5, 2014. 4. Juleen Zierath, PhD, Editor in Chief, Diabetologia. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i¼buWSR3MuDiDO8kuMtQSB0w. Accessed November 5, 2014. 5. Andrew J. M. Boulton, MD, President, European Association for the Study of Diabetes. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R? i¼O0LMdXc8KtiKxnWw1LI2xQ. Accessed November 5, 2014. 6. Derek LeRoith, MD, PhD, Editor in Chief, Endocrine Practice. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i¼YoZB2_fcl9wtSSOTNH14uA. Accessed November 5, 2014. 7. R. Mack Harrell, MD, President, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i¼OAo DHlipPzqTM_LravJnxA. Accessed November 5, 2014. 8. George Grunberger, MD, President Elect, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R? i¼HTTMUD_WlMJrUoeHSfKmUw. Accessed November 5, 2014.
212 9. Leonard Wartofsky, MD, Editor in Chief, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/ site/R?i¼DH6I1a0vO2U6ZRHP7lT_qQ. Accessed November 5, 2014. 10. Andrea C. Gore, PhD, Editor in Chief, Endocrinology. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i¼bTsFp3CcszYO8FwZLvPyKQ. Accessed November 5, 2014. 11. Margaret Wierman, MD, Acting Editor in Chief, Endocrine Reviews. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i¼GC0bH0oBRkrmC3Y qhWmw6g. Accessed November 5, 2014.
The American Journal of Medicine, Vol 128, No 3, March 2015 12. Stephen R. Hammes, MD, PhD, Editor in Chief, Molecular Endocrinology. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i¼eUJt8LYZN9 awykx3NG_qGA. Accessed November 5, 2014. 13. Carol A. Lange, PhD, Editor in Chief, Hormones and Cancer. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i¼xYeUYwG7sh1nlDgtn_ gJKQ. Accessed November 5, 2014. 14. Richard J. Santen, MD, President, Endocrine Society. Available at: http://main.diabetes.org/site/R?i¼a824yrbn04P92k4tF58mWQ. Accessed November 5, 2014.
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