Periodically, studies with implications for important changes in clinical practice emerge. Such reports are most often presented at scientific meetings and then submitted for publication. Although this is usually the most expeditious method of communicating such important developments to the clinical and scientific community, this process has major limitations. The appropriate scientific meeting is often held only yearly. The immediate dissemination of this information is then limited to those attending the meeting and subsequent word-of-mouth communications. By the time the study is submitted for publication, there is substantial delay because of the necessity to write the article, the peer-review process, and journal-publishing delays. Few journals have the option of expedited review and publication devoted to articles with potential major clinical impact.
Recognizing this need, the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology has now created a process for articles with the potential and immediate impact for the clinical and scientific community. We will refer to these articles as “Reports of Major Impact.” These articles will initially be brief reports of 1000–1500 words in print and online, to be followed by the entire article online some months later.
Articles considered for this feature may be accessed in 1 of 2 ways. Authors may request consideration for this venue, and the editors will make a decision whether the report meets the criteria of a Report of Major Impact, or the editors will note such potential in a routine submission and offer this option to the authors. Conflicts arising from the timing of publication relative to presentation at a scientific meeting may be communicated to the editors, who will delay publication until the study has been presented, if the authors request this option. Details of the requirements and methods of submission can be found in the Instructions for Authors either in the print Journal or online at www.ees.elsevier.com/ajog/ or www.ajog.org. Feedback regarding this new feature from authors and readers is welcome.
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