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FAQs Regarding AAHPM and JPSM

The following is a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) compiled in response to calls and e-mails received by AAHPM leadership following the recent announcement that the AAHPM Board of Directors selected Journal of Pain and Symptom Management (JPSM) as the Academy's official journal beginning January 2009. Additional questions and comments may be sent to info@aahpm.org.

Why did AAHPM decide to review its relationship with Journal of Palliative Medicine (JPM) and Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.?

AAHPM's publishing, affiliation and subscription agreement with Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. (MAL) for Journal of Palliative Medicine (JPM) expires December 31, 2008. As a result, AAHPM was required to negotiate a new publishing agreement in 2008. MAL owns JPM, which has been the designated "official" journal of the AAHPM for the past seven years.

How did AAHPM identify journal publishers?

In early 2008, AAHPM leadership initiated a comprehensive process that included surveying members, consultation with outside experts, exploration of the broader medical publishing landscape, and extensive discussions regarding the Academy's strategic goals and journal affiliation. An independent journal consultant was retained to assist AAHPM and requests for proposals were sent to several publishers, including MAL. The AAHPM Board appointed a Journal Task Force to review all submitted proposals. After extensive review, analysis and in-person interviews, five options were narrowed down to three semi-finalists. Each of these groups presented and met with members of the task force in person. Ultimately two finalists were presented to the Board for review and consideration.

After additional analysis and significant deliberation, the AAHPM Board of Directors selected Journal of Pain and Symptom Management (JPSM) as the Academy's official journal, beginning January 2009.

Why did the Academy choose Journal of Pain and Symptom Management (JPSM)

The publisher proposals were carefully assessed on a number of categories outlined in the RFP including editorial content and processes, readership, reputation, subscription pricing, print/electronic mix, indexing, marketing/branding and other key areas for consideration. Each publisher was invited to submit information and supporting materials for review. In the end, Elsevier was selected by the Board because its JPSM proposal was considered the strongest based upon the established assessment criteria and submission.

A key factor in the decision to adopt JPSM as the Academy's official journal was the business environment in which AAHPM is currently operating. Elsevier's business offer provides AAHPM with a source of significant and guaranteed non-dues revenue over multiple years, in contrast to other offers which would have left the Academy in a negative cash-flow position. These financial returns will be used to support new and expanding programs and services for AAHPM members and the field over the next five years.*

Can you tell me more about JPSM?

JPSM is an internationally respected peer-reviewed journal with a strong reputation for promoting research and clinical information related to pain management and palliative care. The journal boasts a prestigious editorial board including leading researchers and clinicians from around the world. Elsevier has publishing relationships with 100+ health care associations and currently publishes more than 2,000 journals (450 medically-oriented).

Elsevier has published JPSM on behalf of the U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee (USCPRC) since 1988. Since that time, JPSM has made significant contributions to the literature, has continued to grow in terms of global reach and commercial interest, and its impact factor has either increased or remained consistent for many years.

AAHPM and JPSM will forge a strong editorial partnership. Additional editorial pages will be added to each issue to allow palliative care content to expand. Two associate editors and ten additional editorial board positions will be added to facilitate integration of expanded palliative care content.

An agreement between both organizations to distribute JPSM to AAHPM members brings along with it many other attractive opportunities and benefits, including access to the ScienceDirect online platform that makes JPSM accessible to 16 million users and a state-of-the-art online submission and review system that includes Scopus access for literature searches (15,000 journals from over 4,000 publishers).

What is JPSM's impact factor? How does it rank among other journals?

Thomson/ISI began indexing JPSM in 1993. Its 2007 impact factor, published earlier this year, was 2.324. JPSM is ranked well in several subject journal categories: 47/146 within Clinical Neurology, 9/56 journals within Health Care Sciences & Services, and 23/103 within Medicine, General & Internal. The impact factor is a measure of the citations to medical journals -- the frequency with which the "average article" in a journal has been cited during a specific period of time. Impact factors are calculated each year by Thomson Scientific for those journals which it indexes, and the factors and indices are published in Journal Citation Reports.

How were AAHPM members engaged in the process?

In April 2008, Academy members were asked to complete a survey about journals they typically review and their thoughts and opinions regarding each of them. Seven journals within the field were identified and rated in regard to "usefulness." JPM and JPSM were rated #1 and #2. Members also indicated they most frequently submit articles to these two journals. The survey also helped identify what other publications members like to read. Nearly 450 survey responses were received in total. This information was used to identify potential publishers and develop a Request for Proposals. Members also participated in the Journal Review Task Force and Board discussions.

When did AAHPM originally affiliate with JPM?

AAHPM went through a similar decision-making process in 2000 when MAL - publisher of JPM was selected by the Academy Board. Since then, JPM has grown and expanded. This is due to in large part to the extraordinary efforts of Editor-in-Chief Charles von Gunten and Founding Editor David Weissman, along with many Academy members and others, who have served on the editorial board, submitted and reviewed articles, and supported the journal in various other ways over the years. This dedication and collective effort helped to bring hospice and palliative medicine to the forefront of journal publishing.

Today, AAHPM is in a different place. The size, scope and strength of the Academy and the field attracted several publishers and a variety of appealing offers. The overall goal identified by the Board at the outset of the journal publisher selection process was to secure an affiliation agreement that was in the best interest of the Academy and its members, and incorporated elements commonly found in contracts between publishers and society partners.

The Academy's leadership believes that the field of hospice and palliative medicine is robust and diverse enough to support multiple outstanding palliative care journals. They hope and anticipate that JPM will continue to be widely read by AAHPM members and others, as it has since its inception.

How will AAHPM ensure the specialty of Hospice and Palliative Medicine is represented in JPSM?

Part of the AAHPM agreement with the publisher provides the Academy with an additional 384 editorial pages each year to allow for expanded palliative care content. JPSM accepts and publishes numerous articles on palliative care - including over 60 in the past six issues. In addition, two new section/associate editors will be named and up to ten AAHPM members will be appointed to the editorial board to review the articles. These changes will ensure that the journal has the logistical and philosophical support to evolve into a seamless and integrated affiliated journal.

The agreement also includes an eventual change in the title of the journal to reflect the Academy's interest and commitment to the field. Beginning with the January 2009 issue, it will be noted on the cover of JPSM that it is the official journal of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. The current JPSM subtitle "Advancing Symptom Research, Hospice and Palliative Care" will also continue to appear.

Each year more than 100 journals listed in the ISI Journal Citation Reports change or adjust their title. Journals that change titles apply for a new ISSN (International Standard Serials Number), which is mostly a formality. Following the change, there is typically a strong communication campaign to librarians, authors, and advertisers so they understand the relationship between the former and new journal name.

Russ Portenoy is both the current Editor-in-Chief of JPSM and President of AAHPM. Does this represent a conflict of interest?

Dr. Portenoy has been the Editor-in-Chief of JPSM since its inception more than 20 years ago, and he is a member of the U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee (USCPRC), a small nonprofit foundation (501c3) that has owned the Journal during most of this period. Although the USCPRC provides some support to Dr. Portenoy's employer to offset his time as Editor, he receives no direct income and the USCPRC itself will actually experience a substantial reduction in royalties from JPSM as a result of the new arrangement. To avoid both the perception and potential reality of a conflict surrounding the review process, Dr. Portenoy recused himself from the journal selection process, which was managed by President-Elect Gail Cooney and CEO Steve Smith. Dr. Portenoy's term as AAHPM President ends in March 2009.

Dr. Portenoy did not participate in any of the Academy's discussion, deliberation or decision-making regarding the new agreement. All Board, task force members, staff and consultants involved with the process were required to complete Conflict of Interest Disclosure forms which were summarized and shared in advance of all meetings where journal issues were discussed. Several individuals identified past or current affiliation with several journals -- including but not limited to JPM and JPSM. These disclosures were used to encourage and ensure transparency throughout the process.

To assist the Academy with the transition to a new journal, the Executive Committee recently appointed a Journal Transition Task Force to provide oversight, consultation and counsel regarding communications, operations, and editorial elements related to building a productive ongoing working relationship with the journal publisher and editor. AAHPM Secretary Janet Abrahm, MD is chair of the task force.

Will JPSM provide any revenue to AAHPM? If so, where will it be directed?

Yes. The new publishing agreement guarantees significant annual financial returns to AAHPM - which in turn will be used to support new and expanding programs and services for members and the field. Each year, the Board will decide where the money is directed as it approves an operating year budget for the Academy.

Where will printed versions of PC-FACS appear?

PC-FACS (Fast Article Critical Summaries for Clinicians in Palliative Care) is delivered electronically 1-2 times each month to members of the Academy. PC-FACS includes comprehensive review and insightful commentaries on key articles from 30 medical and scientific journals. As an Academy product, it is scheduled to be included in JPSM in early 2009. Discussions are currently underway to expand the scope of PC-FACS to include reviews of articles published in other palliative medicine journals as well.

I currently subscribe to JPSM, what will happen to my subscription?

Any member who currently receives the JPSM under a different subscriber category will receive a refund of the unfulfilled portion of their subscription. For example, if your personal subscription expires with the June 2009 issue, you will receive a refund equal to 50% of the original nonmember subscription price you paid since there will be six issues (of 12) remaining on your personal subscription. However, if the address Elsevier has on file for you is different from the address you use for your AAHPM membership, then the de-duping process will not recognize you as having both a member and a nonmember subscription. Please contact AAHPM at info@aahpm.org to let us know, so we can work with Elsevier and address this issue, and you can receive your refund.

Will I be able to access JPSM online?

JPSM is published monthly by Elsevier in print and online. As a benefit of AAHPM membership, you will receive your first issue of JPSM in January 2009. At that time, a link will also be added to JPSM online in the Members Only section of the AAHPM Web site.

How can I get involved with JPSM?

The AAHPM Board will appoint up to two associate editors and ten members to the Editorial Board, subject to review by the Editor and the U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee. As soon as the criteria are finalized, position descriptions will be posted on the Academy Web site and included in future eNews bulletins. Interested members should visit http://www.aahpm.org/ and complete an interest form. Also, to learn more about how to submit papers visit the JPSM Web site.

Will I still receive JPM?

AAHPM members will continue to receive JPM as a benefit of membership through December 2008. Mary Ann Liebert Inc. will continue to publish and distribute JPM. According to the publisher, online access that comes via the password-protected portion of the AAHPM website for members will be turned off effective January 1, 2009. Members will not have any access after that date. AAHPM members that wish to continue their print and/or online subscriptions to JPM can renew directly by contacting info@liebertpub.com, or phoning 914/740 2100 -- make sure you ask for the special rate.

If you have other questions regarding the new journal, please send them to info@aahpm.org.

* Confidentiality agreements prohibit more detailed discussion or sharing of specific financial offers or elements contained in submitted publisher proposals beyond the confines of the Board of Directors and the appointed Journal RFP Review Task Force. Revenue and related expenses associated with a final publishing contract will be included in future AAHPM budgets, AAHPM Annual Reports, and annual IRS Form 990.