Medical Acupuncture
A Journal For Physicians By Physicians

Spring / Summer 2000- Volume 12 / Number 1
"Aurum Nostrum Non Est Aurum Vulgi"

EDITORIAL

MEETING THE CHALLENGES!

   The recent AAMA Symposium in Orlando, Florida brought a record crowd of attendees. Both new and old faces mixed in an atmosphere intoxicated with delight by the outstanding speakers. The magic reinforcement of bonding that can only be experienced from attending these symposiums was once again kindled. As we all stretched to share and better understand the mysteries of acupuncture, it was evident that we have the power to explore, probe, and conquer the secrets.

   Dr Nader E. Solomon and Dr Richard C. Niemtzow are Chairman and Co-Chairman, respectively, for the 2001 Symposium to be held in New Orleans in March. In particular, we wish to emphasize the importance of preparing your poster well in advance. We want to encourage you to participate. Further instructions will be communicated through the AAMA newsletter.

   No editor or author can work alone in these present times. A support team is required, albeit ad hoc, to complete any manuscript; especially, one that attempts to create a reality that never existed. And so with each new paper submitted, our editorial staff must strive to accommodate the harsh but necessary mechanics and rules that influence the outcome of your manuscript to its eventual publication in Medical Acupuncture. As the world around you continues to evolve, so does our "Instructions to the Authors." Please adhere as closely as possible to these printed guidelines in the front of the journal. For your manuscript to have the best chance to be published, please do not short circuit these guidelines and expect us to fill in the gaps.

   I have formed an ad hoc committee of members to help review the quality of the journal and to explore the challenges of meeting the indexing requirements of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) for inclusion into MEDLINE. I am happy to report that many recommendations are being made to the AAMA Board to enhance the overall improvement and credibility of Medical Acupuncture. Some minor changes affect this issue: changes in the abstracting of cases, placement of book and literature reviews at the end of the journal, and further revisions in "Instructions for Authors." The title, "Editorial," will now replace "Editor's Desk." All of this will help us in the preparation of the NLM application. It will be tedious, but the end result will be well worth it to all of us. Nothing goes forward until we have Board approval. It is important that the journal proceed as a team effort. And the team effort must start with you, the reader. If we can help you do a better job in writing your paper, all of us will profit. I would like to see a writing workshop at the next AAMA Symposium. Better case reports and joint efforts to perform clinical trials is not wishful thinking, but realistic for the very near future. It centers on the proper leadership that must come from you.

   I had the opportunity recently to travel to the University of Nevada as a consultant to Dr Denise McKee's clinical acupuncture trial involving acne. Medical students, residents, and staff are being exposed to acupuncture by the energetic efforts of Dr McKee. Another trial at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, spearheaded by Dr Peter A. S. Johnstone, Chief of Radiation Oncology, should be approved shortly to investigate the lowering of PSA in biopsy-negative prostate patients by the use of acupuncture. In the same department, Dr Niemtzow's work to convert xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients continues with the accumulation of data. I am sure that many of our members are involved in other areas of acupuncture and research, but word is not reaching the AAMA membership. Would you be interested in a special section in the next journal to cover news and activities of our members? How about writing me a letter expressing your opinion - and send us your news. Thanks.

   I wish to announce the addition of Ms Waine MacAllister to our staff. Waine is currently a Technical Publications Editor at the Naval Medical Center, San Diego, and is assisting both Roz and Stacy. Welcome, Waine!

   I want to thank in particular Roz Royal, who has faithfully kept the journal on time for over 21/2 years. Roz has managed to keep on smiling through it all! She has labored on all of the manuscripts and interacted with many of our members. She has called authors for additions and corrections, and has shaken many papers out of our membership and into print. As if that weren't enough, she has spent days at the publisher re-proofing and re-checking everything to make sure that things were as near "perfect" as possible. No one is perfect and mistakes do happen, but in this business, Roz seeks perfection. Stacy Christiansen has helped Roz tremendously. Some of you have been fortunate enough to receive a phone call from this young lady who energetically checks every footnote and reference that goes into your papers against Medline. She also helps Roz and I edit many manuscripts. I salute you ladies, and wish to state that we are lucky to have you!

   Finally, I wish to express my utmost appreciation to the authors who contributed to this edition of Medical Acupuncture. It is always a pleasure to work with professionals who have made a sacrifice of their time to help make this journal a world class act.

- Richard C. Niemtzow, MD, PhD, MPH

EDITOR INFORMATION
Dr Richard Niemtzow is a Colonel in the United States Air Force (USAF), on loan to the U.S. Navy for a special acupuncture project. Dr Niemtzow is the first physician practicing acupuncture full-time at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California, with special interest in oncology.

Richard C. Niemtzow, MD, PhD, MPH
1835 E. Main St.
El Cajon, CA 92021-5255
Phone: 619-447-6806
Fax: 619-447-6881
E-mail: N5EV@aol.com

Back to Top | Table of Contents | On-line Journal Index