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JAMA Network launches open-access journal

. 3 MIN READ
By
Kevin B. O'Reilly , Senior News Editor

The inaugural issue of JAMA Network Open has been published, with articles exemplifying the breadth of areas that readers should come to expect to see covered in the new journal—oncology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, pediatrics and cardiology.

The open-access journal, announced last year, is the 13th journal in the JAMA Network™ and the third journal launched by the AMA in the last three years. JAMA Oncology was launched in 2015, followed by JAMA Cardiology in 2016.

“For two decades, open-access publishing has risen to prominence, and we are excited JAMA Network Open is now providing a new platform for publishing the very best, peer-reviewed clinical research in new ways to meet the needs of the research community,” said AMA Executive Vice President and CEO James L. Madara, MD. “With this new journal, physicians can now access free and open research findings, allowing them to access, read and share content like never before as they can continue in their quest for lifelong learning.”

The founding editor-in-chief of JAMA Network Open is Frederick P. Rivara, MD, MPH, who formerly filled the editor-in-chief role at JAMA Pediatrics. Dr. Rivara is Seattle Children’s Guild Endowed Chair in Pediatrics, and professor of pediatrics and adjunct professor of epidemiology at the University of Washington.

Dr. Rivara is joined by deputy editor Stephen D. Fihn, MD, MPH, also of the University of Washington. In a joint editorial in the inaugural issue of JAMA Network Open, Drs. Rivara and Finn introduced the journal and detailed plans for a global focus.

“Given that there are more than 28,000 peer-reviewed journals, one might ask whether the world needs another. We believe the answer is yes,” they wrote. The journal, they added, “will be an international platform for investigators around the world, moving away from the U.S.-centric focus of so many journals. We seek articles that have both meaning for the communities in which patients live, work and seek health care as well as generalizability to other communities and countries.”

The new journal will feature health content from more than 40 medical and health subject areas, with new articles published each Friday. JAMA Network Open will follow the same rigorous peer review, editorial and publishing standards as do the other JAMA Network journals. On the journal’s home page, click on “Sign up for emails based on your interests” and opt for weekly or monthly topic-based updates on newly published research.

The first articles to be published examine melanoma staging definitions, the effect of chiropractic care for low back pain and disability, follow-up publication of randomized-controlled trials from an academic conference, and long-term outcomes of antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and ischemic stroke. The second set of articles, published May 25, feature original research in the areas of cardiology, pediatrics, emergency medicine, and physical medicine and rehabilitation.

As a physician, your learning never stops. An AMA membership provides you with the latest clinical research, innovations and perspectives that are shaping the future of medicine and patient care.

Every AMA member can access clinical research to improve patient well-being and improve the quality of care through JAMA Network. Your AMA membership provides many exclusive benefits that can help you better treat the patients in your care and keep your practice healthy and thriving.

Join the AMA today and leverage all the tools you need to grow your knowledge and expertise.

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