Robert Orenstein, DO: ‘The JAOA is a vibrant, dynamic and prosperous journal’

The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association published five studies named among the top 5 percent of influential research during the 2017 fiscal year and is attracting new researchers because of its increased visibility, JAOA Editor Robert Orenstein, DO, told the AOA House of Delegates Friday.

The emerging influence of the JAOA addresses a key strategic initiative by providing osteopathic medical students and DOs a robust platform to publish their research, Dr. Orenstein noted in his address to the delegates.

“The JAOA is a vibrant, dynamic and prosperous journal,” said Dr. Orenstein.

Expanding media reach

The JAOA’s focus on providing clinically actionable information for physicians has also resulted in significant media attention, with more than 1,100 stories featuring JAOA research placed so far this year. Coverage of the paper “Validation of a Functional Pyelocalyceal Renal Model for the Evaluation of Renal Calculi Passage While Riding a Roller Coaster” generated global print and broadcast reports following its publication in October. That visibility placed it in the top 1 percent of influential research published last year, according to Altmetric.

More than 1,158 media stories on JAOA have been published since January 1, 2017, a 36 percent increase over last year. The AOA media team received top honors from PRNews and the Public Relations Society of America for its work promoting JAOA research.

“Articles that are picked up in the JAOA are released to media outlets and then get amplification throughout the world,” said Dr. Orenstein, “particularly through avenues such as social media and electronic media.”

Increased visibility

More than 1.6 million visits to jaoa.org were recorded last year, and site traffic exceeds 900,000 views for the first six months of 2017. That visibility, combined with outreach to colleges of osteopathic medicine as part of the ENGAGE initiative, resulted in published research from seven student authors and an unprecedented number of submissions from new researchers. The ENGAGE initiative encourages and showcases scholarly activity at colleges of osteopathic medicine. So far, six schools have accepted Dr. Orenstein’s challenge to participate.

JAOA research cycle

The JAOA’s quality of research is cyclical in nature, with enhanced public engagement with osteopathic scholarly activity leading to more and higher quality osteopathic medical research. This, in turn, has led to greater media interest in osteopathic medical research and increased awareness of DOs.

“As our profession continues to grow … we need to continue to leverage what we do on a scholarly level to enhance our ability to show the public what we do,” said Dr. Orenstein.