Journal of Genetic Counseling, Vol. 7, No. 2, 1998
Editorial Introduction: New Journal Features Robert G. Resta1,3 and Kathryn Spitzer Kim2
This issue of Journal of Genetic Counseling takes one small step and one large step in encouraging its readers to submit manuscripts for publication. The small step is an expanded and more detailed Instructions to Contributors, which will hopefully make manuscript preparation easier. The large step is the announcement of a new feature that will focus on case reports. Detailed reports and critiques of individual genetic counseling sessions are critical to patient care and to the growth of the profession. Case reports teach us about ourselves and our patients, and capture the deeply human side of genetic counseling in ways that large-scale research studies never can. For these reasons, Case Reports will be a new feature of the journal. Under the guidance of Kathryn Spitzer Kim who will coordinate the new feature, our goal is to ultimately include at least one case report with each issue of the journal. We would like to present a broad range of cases, therefore, the criteria for submission are loose and simple. Case reports should focus on the psychological and counseling issues that arise in working with patients and families. The journal is not interested in case reports that demonstrate new technologies, difficult diagnoses, or medical breakthroughs so much as reports that illustrate the psychological implications and counseling difficulties which result from advances in medical genetics. Counselors are encouraged to present routine or unusual cases that challenged their skills and created dilemmas, as well as the interventions they used. The reports need not have a "good" outcome where everybody lived happily ever after. Indeed, unresolved cases are as interesting and useful as those where the counselor was able to help resolve the situation. 1 2
Center for Perinatal Studies, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Genetic Counseling Program, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts. Correspondence should be directed to Robert G. Resta, Perinatal Medicine, Swedish Medical Center, 747 Broadway, Seattle, Washington 98104.
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131 1059-7700/98/0400-0131$15.00/1 C 1998 National Society of Genetic Counselors, Inc.
132
Resta and Kim
Authors may want to discuss how a particular counseling model was successful or unsuccessful, or how alternative models could have been applied. Manuscripts should be submitted to the Editor-in-Chief, and follow the guidelines of the journal's Instructions to Contributors. Reports should include background information on medical management, a summary of the genetic counseling session(s), discussion of the psychosocial issues, and a review of the counseling that was provided. Although there is no formal guideline for length, most case reports should be no more than ten manuscript pages. An abstract and pedigree are not required but may be included as needed for clarity. At the discretion of the editors, a third-party commentary may be provided to critique the approach or to suggest alternative counseling strategies. Readers are encouraged to submit Letters to the Editor to express their opinions on a particular case report. We encourage all of the journal's readers, including students, to submit manuscripts. The review process is designed to be constructive. Reviewers and commentators are needed as well as authors to help make this feature a success. If you would like to be involved in any aspect of this effort, contact Kathryn Spitzer Kim; phone (781)736-3108; e-mail: [email protected]. Or contact the Editor-in-Chief. We look forward to reading and publishing your manuscripts.
Editorial Introduction: New Journal Features Robert G. Resta1,3 and Kathryn Spitzer Kim2
This issue of Journal of Genetic Counseling takes one small step and one large step in encouraging its readers to submit manuscripts for publication. The small step is an expanded and more detailed Instructions to Contributors, which will hopefully make manuscript preparation easier. The large step is the announcement of a new feature that will focus on case reports. Detailed reports and critiques of individual genetic counseling sessions are critical to patient care and to the growth of the profession. Case reports teach us about ourselves and our patients, and capture the deeply human side of genetic counseling in ways that large-scale research studies never can. For these reasons, Case Reports will be a new feature of the journal. Under the guidance of Kathryn Spitzer Kim who will coordinate the new feature, our goal is to ultimately include at least one case report with each issue of the journal. We would like to present a broad range of cases, therefore, the criteria for submission are loose and simple. Case reports should focus on the psychological and counseling issues that arise in working with patients and families. The journal is not interested in case reports that demonstrate new technologies, difficult diagnoses, or medical breakthroughs so much as reports that illustrate the psychological implications and counseling difficulties which result from advances in medical genetics. Counselors are encouraged to present routine or unusual cases that challenged their skills and created dilemmas, as well as the interventions they used. The reports need not have a "good" outcome where everybody lived happily ever after. Indeed, unresolved cases are as interesting and useful as those where the counselor was able to help resolve the situation. 1 2
Center for Perinatal Studies, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Genetic Counseling Program, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts. Correspondence should be directed to Robert G. Resta, Perinatal Medicine, Swedish Medical Center, 747 Broadway, Seattle, Washington 98104.
3
131 1059-7700/98/0400-0131$15.00/1 C 1998 National Society of Genetic Counselors, Inc.
132
Resta and Kim
Authors may want to discuss how a particular counseling model was successful or unsuccessful, or how alternative models could have been applied. Manuscripts should be submitted to the Editor-in-Chief, and follow the guidelines of the journal's Instructions to Contributors. Reports should include background information on medical management, a summary of the genetic counseling session(s), discussion of the psychosocial issues, and a review of the counseling that was provided. Although there is no formal guideline for length, most case reports should be no more than ten manuscript pages. An abstract and pedigree are not required but may be included as needed for clarity. At the discretion of the editors, a third-party commentary may be provided to critique the approach or to suggest alternative counseling strategies. Readers are encouraged to submit Letters to the Editor to express their opinions on a particular case report. We encourage all of the journal's readers, including students, to submit manuscripts. The review process is designed to be constructive. Reviewers and commentators are needed as well as authors to help make this feature a success. If you would like to be involved in any aspect of this effort, contact Kathryn Spitzer Kim; phone (781)736-3108; e-mail: [email protected]. Or contact the Editor-in-Chief. We look forward to reading and publishing your manuscripts.
