ASTROnews: ASTRO to launch Practical Radiation Oncology journal in 2011

Seeks manuscripts, editors and reviewers

This time next year, you will have your first issue of Practical Radiation Oncology, a quarterly journal whose mission is to improve the quality of radiation oncology practice.

This journal will be a natural complement to the Society’s clinical research journal, the International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, and aims to be what Medline defines as a clinical or practice journal. These types of journals have as their dominant purpose either documenting the state of current practice, providing background for those in training or the continuing education of practitioners.

This is done through the publication of case reports, discussions and illustrations of new techniques, evaluations of current practices, and commentaries. PRO will strive to provide its readers content that emphasizes knowledge “with a purpose.” To ensure Medline listing, however, the content must have scientific merit. Journals consisting primarily of reprinted articles, reports of association activities, abstracts of the literature, news items or book reviews will not usually be indexed.

The anticipated content focus and features are:

• Official ASTRO documents - PRO will be the journal of choice for publication of ASTRO guidelines, position papers, consensus statements, etc. Invited commentaries are expected as well.
• Original research on practical issues - Manuscripts that focus on imaging, contouring, target delineation, simulation, treatment planning, immobilization and organ motion will be emphasized.
• Quality corner - Each issue will contain at least one contribution focusing on quality measurement, safety and quality improvement initiatives.
• Possible related topics include safe use of new technologies, integration of electronic health records and the importance of peer review.
• Point/counterpoint - Each issue will contain opposing expert views on current topics and controversies in the field of radiation oncology.
• Interesting case - Each issue will contain a case description. The description will include relevant images as necessary. Cases will be solicited and chosen based on pedagogical merit.
• Miscellaneous - PRO will also include periodic articles devoted to professionalism, biomedical ethics and practice management. Clinically oriented reviews of cancer biology will be considered.
• Professional development and education - Online CME will be available for the majority of the content and will be offered to all registered subscribers of PRO. PRO will highlight Maintenance of Certification by emphasizing quality measurement and improvement within the quality corner. Content will be solicited from related disciplines (medical and surgical oncology) to build collaborative, multidisciplinary knowledge that will benefit patients.

To ensure the utmost in fairness in the peer review process, PRO intends to employ a “double blind” peer review system, whereby the identity of the authors and the reviewers are hidden. Editors and manuscript reviewers for PRO will also be able to earn continuing medical education credits by participating in the review process.

PRO also aims to have all reviews completed within three weeks after submission, with author notification completed within five weeks.

Although PRO will not initially be indexed by Medline, we hope to apply for indexing in 2012. If we are successful, all papers will be indexed retroactively.

We will begin accepting manuscripts in early July. Submit your practical radiation oncology paper to PRO today!

Katherine Bennett, Director of Communications, katherineb@astro.org