MISSION OF THE PEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGY ONLINE JOURNAL (PROJ)

 

Welcome to the first issue of the pediatric rheumatology online journal. This peer-reviewed journal is the result of the labors of many pediatric rheumatologists and we are grateful to every single person. Two years ago we asked over 100 international pediatric rheumatologists if it was a good time to start a journal for our subspecialty. Over eighty percent said yes and many volunteered to help. The minority mentioned a number of important issues of concern, e.g., that they're already too many rheumatology journals, the likelihood of a second rate journal, the cost factor, the scarcity of excellent science in our field, and other concerns. We have tried to keep those issues in mind and establish a journal that both complements other rheumatology journals and makes important contributions to pediatric rheumatology.

After many meetings and discussions over the past two years, we've come up with a product we hope will be a useful addition of the field of pediatric rheumatology. It is first of all international. In each country we are a small subspecialty. Internationally we number over a thousand. We have the opportunity to communicate, collaborate, cross-fertilize to help our children and advance our field. We can assist the maturing pediatric rheumatologists in many countries develop their skills, expertise, and research. We invite contributions from all pediatric rheumatologists around the world and wish to emphasize regional issues and problems.

It's free as an internet based journal and easily accessible to everyone. There's no annual subscription fee of 175-300 American dollars that can be prohibitively expensive for many pediatric rheumatologists. We plan to keep PROJ free to everyone.

PROJ will focus on the continuing education of pediatric rheumatologists. We will regularly include reviews of the literature as well as review articles of clinical and basic science. We will emphasize cutting edge case discussions and case series. We will have regular contributions from members of the pediatric rheumatology team including nurses, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, and post-residency training fellows. It is our desire to be inclusive of all professionals in our field.

PROJ will be receptive to research articles in pediatric rheumatology, both clinical and basic, though at the same time respecting and recognizing the critical role of other journals as forums for these efforts.

Lastly, PROJ will have flexibility. We will be open to suggestions on how to improve the journal and what the needs of the readership are. Please e-mail us your comments or suggestions.

This is an exciting time in pediatric rheumatology. Despite the threats of war, terrorism, economic recession, currency devaluation, tight budgets in universities, and dysfunctional, inadequate health care systems, we have the opportunity to build upon the amazing progress of the first 50 years of our fledgling subspecialty. We are grateful to Barbara Ansell and the many pioneers in Europe, the Americas, and around the world. Following their example, we hope to develop and nurture pediatric rheumatology in every country without the subspecialty and increase the numbers and viability of the pediatric rheumatologists in those countries which already have a good start. We believe that as there are many children worldwide do not have the pediatric rheumatology care they need and deserve, we still have much work to do.

 

We, as editors of PROJ, hope that our online journal may play an important and worthwhile role in this endeavor.

 

Charles Spencer

Alberto Martini