Assuming the task of editing The Foot is a time to evaluate our roles and responsibilities, and to consider how the Journal should develop in the future. In ensuring a high quality journal we adhere to the guidelines published by the Council of Science Editors [1].
A scientific journal such as The Foot has to fulfil a number of roles. The first, and most important, of these is to advance our knowledge and understanding of the specialist area. Scientists and investigators have a duty to publish the findings of their research for the benefit of other scientists, clinicians and, of course, our patients. The Foot provides a forum for the presentation of research in the field of foot and ankle, covering basic sciences, pathology, investigations and management of foot and ankle disorders. The selection of articles for publication is undertaken by peer review, and the editors acknowledge the vital work undertaken by reviewers. They have the task of selecting work that asks vital research questions, has been carefully undertaken, and is well presented. In accepting articles for publication modifications are often suggested in order to further improve their clarity and quality. The final product should then be of interest and value to others in the field.
This leads us to the important educational role of The Foot. All published scientific work adds to our knowledge and understanding of foot and ankle problems in some way. From the beginning The Foot has aimed to provide a forum for research from all disciplines involved in the investigation and management of the foot and ankle. It attracts articles from those with a specific interest in the foot and ankle, such as orthopaedics, podiatry, biomechanics and bioengineering. In addition, other clinicians such as diabetologists, rheumatologists and neurologists regularly deal with foot and ankle disorders. Consequently the Journal is relevant to a large multidisciplinary readership around the world. Scientists and clinicians have a duty to keep up to date by being familiar with this work. Awareness of the Journal and ease of accessibility are, therefore, important tasks for the editors and the publishers, Elsevier. Readers are increasingly using the internet for access to scientific information. The Foot can be found on the ScienceDirect website [2]. To further the educational role of the Journal we encourage the submission of review articles covering topical issues, summarising scientific literature and pointing the direction for further study and research, which should be of value to qualified clinicians, trainees and students. Articles on evidence-based medicine in relation to foot and ankle are planned for future editions.
By ensuring publication of good quality research and the education of the professions the editors fulfil their main duties. One of their more difficult tasks, however, is in dealing with potential conflicts of interest. We are familiar with financial conflicts, where authors or institutions have an interest in a product or service being studied, or where studies have been funded by commercial organisations. Research grants may be difficult to obtain, and so it is inevitable that commercial funding will play a role in supporting good quality research. We take the view that disclosure of such financial conflicts by authors is important so that readers can make their own judgement as to its relevance. In itself a financial conflict is not a bar to publication of research. The same financial conflicts may affect reviewers and editors when considering submitted articles. Reviewers should declare any such interest to the editors, and if necessary alternative reviewers may be sought.
It is more difficult to be objective about intellectual conflicts of interest. Authors, reviewers, and editors necessarily will have their own views on the structure, function, pathology, investigation and management of the foot and ankle, and not infrequently opposing opinions will be found. Reviewers are selected because of their expertise in particular areas and should provide an objective assessment of articles submitted. It is the editors’ task to assess these judgements, and if there appears to be any bias then, again, alternative assessments may be sought. When dealing with a multidisciplinary authorship professional conflicts and rivalry sometimes become apparent. It is our belief that such prejudices are not appropriate to a scientific journal, and The Foot is not the place to air such differences. Whilst it is difficult, if not impossible, to completely prevent problems associated with intellectual conflicts of interest, the important factor as editors is for us to recognise that they can occur, and therefore to try and be as impartial as possible.
In managing these issues The Foot continues to grow as a scientific publication. Our goal is to increase the usefulness and accessibility of the Journal for our authors and readers. By the time this editorial is published the facility for web-based submission of articles will be available, improving the accessibility of the Journal to authors, and facilitating the review process. We are conscious that speed of publication of articles is an important factor for authors, and this facility will help us to continue to reduce the lead-time to publication. The editors and publishers invite and encourage author and reader feedback about the Journal. Feedback and journal monitoring data is reviewed and will be published on an annual basis for the benefit of readers and those considering submitting articles. This will help us all take The Foot forward.
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