| Peer-Review Panelists
Mick J. Perez-Cruet, MD, is director of minimally invasive spine surgery and spine program at the Michigan Head and Spine Institute in Southfield, Mich. He serves on the Executive Committee of the Council of State Neurological Societies. Deborah L. Benzil, MD, is associate professor at New York Medical College, Valhalla, N.Y. She currently serves on the executive board of the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies. William E. Bingaman Jr., MD, is head of epilepsy surgery in the Department of Neurological Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio. He serves on the executive committees of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies. Frederick A. Boop, MD, FACS, is associate professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Tennessee, Memphis. He is a past chair of the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies. Fernando G. Diaz, MD, PhD, FACS, is a professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at Wayne State University in Detroit, Mich. He is the current chair of the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies. David F. Jimenez, MD, FACS, is professor and chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He is a past chair of the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies. Lyal G. Leibrock, MD, FACS, is a professor in the Department of Surgery as well as neurosurgery training program director at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is a past chair of the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies. Mark E. Linskey, MD, is chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of California, Irvine, and co-director of the multidisciplinary Neuro-Oncology Program at the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCI Medical Center. Richard N. Wohns, MD, MBA, is founder and president of South Sound Neurosurgery in the Puget Sound region and associate clinical professor of neurological surgery at the University of Washington. He is president of the Washington State Association of Neurological Surgeons and serves on the Executive Committee of the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies. |
In the clinical realm, evidence produced through specialty-specific, peer-reviewed research is the acknowledged standard on which to base decision making. Yet, for the important issues that affect both social and economic aspects of the neurosurgical profession, there has been a dearth of reliable data.
“In obtaining robust socioeconomic data, neurosurgery suffers from a triple threat,” said William T. Couldwell, MD, editor of the AANS Bulletin. “To this point professionals have had little incentive to spend time on socioeconomic research, standards for such research have been applied unevenly, and a constant vehicle for publication of the resulting articles has been lacking.”
Through establishment in late 2004 of a peer-review process for hypothesis-driven articles, the AANS Bulletin is changing that equation. As a magazine with a focus on both the social and economic aspects of neurosurgery, the AANS Bulletin is an appropriate and accessible vehicle for publication of rigorously researched articles exploring socioeconomic issues.
“The Bulletin is expressly charged with the exploration of topics related to the practice of neurosurgery,” noted James R. Bean, MD, who as Bulletin editor shepherded the peer-review project launch last winter. “By adding a peer-reviewed article to each issue of the Bulletin, we are encouraging the focused research that will allow development of sound policy that impacts neurosurgical practice.”
The Bulletin particularly invites submissions of research papers exploring workforce issues, patient safety, and practice management. There is an immediate need for papers on the impact of two topics on neurosurgical practice: resident work hour restrictions and the use of physician extenders.
Mick J. Perez-Cruet, MD, leads the peer-review panel of nine neurosurgeons, many of whom currently are or have been active in the Council of State Neurosurgical Societies, which is entirely focused on socioeconomic issues.
“These distinguished panelists all share an interest in socioeconomic topics and experience in neurosurgical leadership,” said Dr. Perez-Cruet. “Panelists bring the weight of their experience to bear when evaluating quality of data, analysis and methods, and conclusions, as well as a paper’s overall quality, originality, balance, writing, relevance to neurosurgery, and reader interest.”
Papers undergo rapid review by panelists and occasionally by others who have expertise in the topic. Instructions for authors are available online at www.aans.org/bulletin/peer_review_authors.asp.
“Obtaining reliable data on socioeconomic topics relevant to neurosurgery is crucial for our profession,” said Dr. Couldwell. “Establishment of peer review in the AANS Bulletin has removed stout barriers to conducting and publishing important research, and I hope that this will prove a strong incentive for potential authors who are interested in exploring such topics.”
Manda J. Seaver is staff editor of the AANS Bulletin, www.aans.org/bulletin.