DOC News January 1, 2008
Volume 5 Number 1 p. 2
© 2008 American Diabetes Association
Farewell to DOC News
Irl B. Hirsch, MD
Approximately 4 years ago, I was approached by Peter Banks and Dr. Desmond
Schatz to become the first editor-in-chief of DOC News, a new journal
published by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Mr. Banks was the
publisher in the ADA Publications Department at the time, and Dr. Schatz
represented the ADA Publications Policy Committee. The idea was to create a
tabloid journal free of charge to nonspecialists that reviewed important
developments—from both journal articles and conferences—covering
diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease ("DOC"). As a
monthly journal, it would not compete with the other ADA journal, Clinical
Diabetes, which is geared to primary care providers and reports more
in-depth reviews of topics relevant to the practice of diabetes every quarter.
With 12 issues of DOC News each year, we aimed to bring our readers
important research much more immediately. Perhaps, we thought, that quick
access to news might even change practice patterns. The business model of
DOC News relied heavily on advertising income from companies that had
interests in this area of health care.
Much has happened since that initial telephone conversation and following
the publication of our first issue. I think it's safe to say that, from an
editorial content point of view, the publication has been a resounding
success. I have received verbal, written, and electronic compliments about
DOC News from around the world. A few of the articles and editorials
we have run even generated controversy, which I always welcomed, as open
discussion is good for the profession. Because our online version is
highlighted on the ADA Web site, it's viewed by thousands of health care
providers. One surprise: I didn't expect that a number of non-health care
providers, patients, and family members of people with diabetes also would
become regular
readers.
As a diabetologist, I worried at the start that I might not strike the
right balance and give as much attention to obesity and cardiovascular disease
as I gave to diabetes. But that turned out to be an easier problem to resolve
than I ever would have guessed, due partly to the unfortunate epidemic of
obesity, which has only grown since the beginning of DOC News.
I also must note now that DOC News never would have had its
tremendous start if not for the wonderful support and expertise of The
Magazine Group. In the early days, DOC News prospered thanks to the
work of Elizabeth Thompson Beckley and Bruce Goldfarb; more recently I have
been fortunate to work with Bridget Murray Law along with the rest of the
talented staff of The Magazine
Group.
Unfortunately, this will be the last issue of DOC News. The
reality of the economics of publishing a monthly publication has finally
forced the hand of the association, resulting in this difficult decision. Our
original business model did not take into account the number of competing
publications that have been introduced in the last few years. We also did not
appreciate how the pharmaceutical industry would change the way it markets its
products to primary care physicians. Perhaps the most important example of
this is use of the Internet and specific Web-based marketing instead of the
more traditional print-based advertising. Certainly we are not the only
publication with these challenges.
As I reflect about our accomplishments, I am proud of how we have handled
many controversial topics, editorials, and specific studies. This has
certainly been a busy time in the world of diabetes, obesity, and
cardiovascular disease. DOC News has been witness to the rise and
fall of the first inhalable insulin, Exubera, manufactured by Pfizer Inc.
(DOC News, December 2007, page 5); the benefits of thiazolidinediones
noted in Diabetes Reduction Assessment with Ramipril and Rosiglitazone
Medication (DREAM) and A Diabetes Outcome Progression Trial (ADOPT), and the
downfall of rosiglitazone starting with a now-famous meta-analysis (DOC
News, July 2007, page 1); the almost rise and at least temporary fall of
rimonabant (Acomplia, Sanofi-Aventis); the growing evidence in favor of
bariatric surgery (DOC News, May 2007, page 8); further debates about
the use of fibrates (DOC News, December 2007, page 1, and August
2007, page 1); the growing prevalence of diabetes and obesity in adolescence
(DOC News, September 2007, page 5); and more controversy and
discussion about which drug to use when for type 2 diabetes (DOC
News, October 2007, page 1). The DOC News Editorial Board has
brought you many pearls of wisdom in the "Ask the Expert" column;
its members also have dedicated much time to reviewing all articles prior to
publication.
Several other people deserve special thanks. First is Aime Ballard, who as
ADA's director of scholarly journal publishing guided me through the first few
years of our infant journal. More recently, Andrew Keegan as consulting editor
has been a tremendous help to me in addressing the many controversial topics
we covered. Sincere thanks also to Martha Ramsey, vice president of the
Publications Department at ADA.
Still, the vision of DOC News originated with Peter Banks. Peter
lost his battle with cancer in July 2007. I was fortunate to have known Peter
for over a decade. He understood the diabetes publishing world as well as
anyone I have known, and he is missed by all who knew him.
I trust DOC News has been as enjoyable to you, our readers, as it
as been for me. Through it, I have attempted to keep primary care providers as
up-to-date as possible in a world that is changing quickly.
Thank you all for your continued support.
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Irl B. Hirsch, MD, is editor-in-chief of DOC News and medical
director of the Diabetes Care Center at University of Washington Medical
Center.
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