The Pros & Cons of Themed Issues Kathryn Schroeter, PhD, RN, CNOR, CNE Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Trauma Nursing Associate Professor – Marquette University College of Nursing Adjunct Assistant Professor – Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities at the Medical College of Wisconsin Nurse Scientist & Clinical Ethicist – Froedtert Hospital Milwaukee, WI

An International Organization that Spans the Continuum of Trauma Care The Society of Trauma Nurses is a membership-based, non-profit organization whose members represent trauma nurses from around the world. Members are nurses involved in trauma care in clinical, administrative, research and educational roles. Membership ranges from 1000 – 1400

STN Definition of Trauma Nursing Trauma nurses are licensed professional nurses who work to ensure that all injured patients and their families are provided complete physical and emotional care. Trauma nurses practice in all care delivery settings where injured patients are treated. This includes the pre-hospital setting, emergency department, the perioperative arena, intensive care units, surgical floors, rehabilitation and outpatient services. They include bedside clinicians, educators, prevention specialists, researchers, administrators, clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners.

Journal of Trauma Nursing Began in 1994 Self published by the STN Two members of STN functioned as co-editors Contracted with professional publisher - LWW in 2006 Published quarterly STN Board of Directors hired an editor who serves as a non-voting member of the STN Board of Directors 6 issues/year with 2 online only issues

The goals of JTN are to provide readers with articles that: Will become the standard of care for the trauma patient. Reflect the multidisciplinary nature of trauma care and the care of the injured patient. Represent the broad range of issues related to the trauma patient. Emphasize the vital role of trauma nurses in healthcare. Provide a forum for stimulating medical, editorial and legislative information.

Themes Nursing as a profession is diverse and contains many specialized areas of practice. One method to highlight this diversity is to publish Themed issues or Special issues in nursing journals as even within specialty practices there are subspecialties as well. Themed issues may be unsolicited or specifically solicited, invited and refereed

Trauma Nursing Themes Pediatric / Geriatric Advanced Practice Military Injury Prevention Surgical Rural Trauma Preparedness Leadership Trauma Systems Ethics Performance Improvement / Outcomes

Pros 1.Functions as a resource on specialty topics. 2. It is an opportunity to compile focused data on a special topic. Highlights current information in one package. 3.May be applicable to multiple organizations. 4.Advertisers can focus specific attention to topics related to the themes. 5.Nurses feel supportive of their specialty practice areas and are motivated to write. 6. Encourages new authors – publishing is rewarding and motivational for authors

Cons 1.It may be difficult to secure enough manuscripts r/t the theme 2.Some themes are self limiting. 3.New authors…more time and overall coordination. It depends on the author(s) and the theme 4. Difficult to get a variety of submissions 5. Some themes are more amenable to advertising than others, e.g. clinical 6. Difficult to find the right guest editor(s) 7. Too many themed issues can work against the journal

Editor / Guest Editor Plan the content of the issue to ensure broad coverage of the Theme Ensure that all authors know what is expected from their manuscripts Provide directions/tips/timeline for the issue so that all authors are aware of the process and content of the issue

Guest Editor(s) The Guest Editor(s) may have the responsibility of defining the subject matter of every article in the issue. Editors should give each author an idea of what their article should cover so that it fills into the issue as a whole. The Guest Editors should work to cover all the relevant angles of the topic, while minimizing any redundancy between the articles.

Process – Planning Selecting a theme: Environmental scan Editorial board members Organization Board of Directors Membership / Readers Use Journal website online survey Specialty Interest Groups Meet with leaders Conferences / Conference calls Involve other specialties Work with your online editor (if you have one!)

Process –Recruiting Plan in advance: Distribute information at conferences Editorial Board members Educational presentations Publisher Use Journal website Print call for manuscripts in your journal Organizational contact methods Facebook blasts newsletter listserv

Process –Coordinating Find a person or persons who are passionate about the topic Meeting with specialty interest groups to confirm topics and deadline/dates Recruit authors / guest editor(s) Secure a guest editor Provide the guest editor with information on writing an editorial or introduction to the issue Include the organization’s President or other Board Members to structure messages which highlight the theme of the issue

Process –Coordinating Work closely with the editor/authors Talk with them: Person/Phone/ Provide guidance or structured checklists as needed Keep in contact – send reminders / reach out to them Pair up co-authors if the topic has too much overlap Review manuscripts and/or abstracts or outlines so that redundancies can be avoided

Process –Coordinating Find a person or persons who are passionate about the topic Meeting with specialty interest groups to confirm topics and deadline/dates Recruit authors / guest editor(s) Secure a guest editor Provide the guest editor with information on writing an editorial or introduction to the issue Include the organization’s President or other Board Members to structure messages which highlight the theme of the issue

Process –Coordinating Find a person or persons who are passionate about the topic Meeting with specialty interest groups to confirm topics and deadline/dates Recruit authors / guest editor(s) Secure a guest editor Provide the guest editor with information on writing an editorial or introduction to the issue Include the organization’s President or other Board Members to structure messages which highlight the theme of the issue

Process – Coordinating The introduction is critical to the Themed Issue. A strong introduction can convince the readers that the topic is important and relevant to them. The introduction will often be the first article of the issue that readers will read so as to get a sense of the issue. They will use it to judge whether they should go on to read the rest of the issue. The introduction should discuss the other articles in the issue and set the context for the rest of the issue. This information needs to be provided to the designated author of the introduction.

Process – Strategies for Promotion Work with your publisher CE opportunities Collections Use your journal website Promote in advance Use your organizational website(s) blasts newsletters Consider potential advertisers - New Contact other organizations

Summary Themed issues are designed to address an important topic and are expected to make a significant and original contribution to the existing literature. Focused planning and time is required to produce a relevant themed issued. There are pros and cons inherent to the process of producing a themed journal issue.

Questions?