American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology Relaunched to Better Serve the Needs of the Busy Physician

New York, February 14, 2007 – The American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology (AJOG), known popularly as “The Gray Journal,” has undergone a significant transformation specifically designed to improve the flow of information to its readers. Beginning with the January 2007 issue, it has adopted a multidimensional, multimedia approach, revamping its editorial content and format to help physicians deal with the challenge of the limited time to locate and read the relevant medical literature. An innovative Web edition of AJOG now complements a redesigned print version.

AJOG Editors-in-Chief, Thomas J. Garite MD, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of California, Irvine and Moon H. Kim MD, Director of the University of California, Irvine Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Division, explain, “Several years ago the editors of AJOG began to think about the future of the biomedical journal and how it can best meet the needs of its readers and contributors and, by extension, of patients. The new format launched with the January issue of the Journal is our first comprehensive response to this challenge. What we offer is a departure from the comfortable position of the print-based biomedical journal. We remain strongly committed to our scholarly mission, yet aspire to reach the largest possible audience while providing information-rich content. To accomplish this goal, we have redesigned the Journal both literally and philosophically.”

The official version of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology appears online at www.AJOG.org. This arrangement permits authors to convey information unconstrained by the limitations of print. In addition, the online version is published much sooner than was possible before, thus disseminating important information much more rapidly. Authors are now encouraged to submit supplementary material, including video clips, animations, illustrations, and downloadable slide presentations, taking advantage of the full scope of available Web technology to maximize the understanding and impact of their work.

Each issue of the print version of the Journal features abridged versions of all the research articles that are posted in full at www.AJOG.org. Running approximately two pages, each article summary highlights the key points of the study and discusses its rationale, methods and results. Elements found only in the summaries are an Overview (describes the point of the study in a sentence or two) and Clinical Implications (bullet points that quickly apply the significance of the study’s findings to daily practice, future research or both). References are included only in the online version.

Similarly, Clinical Opinions are published in abridged form in print and in full online. The print format contains unabridged review articles and editorials. Exciting new features that take full advantage of electronic media include a Journal Club discussion of a research article in the same issue, with the full discussion online and a recap in print; Images in Obstetrics alternating with Images in Gynecology; and Surgeon’s Corner, featuring a video clip online.

Associate Editor, Professor Roberto Romero, MD (Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Wayne State University and Chief of the Perinatology Research Branch of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH) comments, “As a way to provide our contributors with a platform for reaching as broad a readership as possible, we are pleased that the publisher, Elsevier, has instituted free distribution of the print version of the Journal to all obstetricians and gynecologists in the United States. The new print Journal is lean and easy to read. A glossary of symbols serves as a roadmap for icons that will mark certain article categories and internal cross-references. The goal of the print version is to concisely inform the reader, who may then visit our website for the full article, supplementary information and extra features. AJOG authors can be assured that their articles will appear in PDF form for printing anywhere, thereby providing the work with physical existence and maximizing distribution. More people than ever will be able to hold the printed article in their hands.”

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About the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
The American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, known as “The Gray Journal,” presents coverage of the entire spectrum of the field, from the newest diagnostic procedures to leading-edge research. The Journal provides comprehensive coverage of the specialty, including maternal-fetal medicine, reproductive endocrinology/infertility, and gynecologic oncology. It also publishes the annual meeting papers of several of its more than 30 sponsoring societies, including the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons. The American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology has the highest ranking for citation frequency of any ob/gyn journal and ranks in the top 1.7% of the 5,684 journals listed in the most recent Science Citation Index.

About Elsevier
Elsevier is a world-leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. Working in partnership with the global science and health communities, Elsevier’s 7,000 employees in over 70 offices worldwide publish more than 2,000 journals and 1,900 new books per year, in addition to offering a suite of innovative electronic products, such as ScienceDirect, MD Consult, Scopus, bibliographic databases, and online reference works.

Elsevier is a global business headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and has offices worldwide. Elsevier is part of Reed Elsevier Group plc, a world-leading publisher and information provider. Operating in the science and medical, legal, education and business-to-business sectors, Reed Elsevier provides high-quality and flexible information solutions to users, with increasing emphasis on the Internet as a means of delivery. Reed Elsevier’s ticker symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and ENL (New York Stock Exchange).