Comparison of Altmetrics with Conventional Bibliometrics in the Surgical Literature (Preprint)

BACKGROUND The impact of a research publication has traditionally been quantified by its citation count. Newer bibliometric indices such as Altmetric Attention Score (AAS) and article page views are emerging as supplementary measures to quantify the academic influence of research. OBJECTIVE The aim of the current study was to interrogate the relationship between novel and traditional bibliometric indices for research published in a leading surgical journal and evaluate the role of these newer indices in measuring the impact of surgical research. METHODS All articles published in JAMA Surgery between 1 January 2019 and 1 September 2021 were examined. The literature database PubMed was used to identify all articles published within the specified time period. The cumulative citation count, AAS, and article page views were retrieved from the journal website. Statistical analysis using the Pearson rank correlation coefficient (r) was performed on Minitab 19. RESULTS : A total of 1,071 articles were retrieved for further analysis. The correlation (95% CI) between ranks for all articles was 0.396 (0.344-0.445) for AAS and citation scores, 0.541 (0.497-0.582) for citations and article page views, and 0.413 (0.362-0.461) for AAS and article page views. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated a medium correlation between citations and AAS for articles published in a leading surgical journal. The inter-year correlation between 2019 and 2021 was similar, suggesting that AAS could be predictive of future citations. AAS may be useful in evaluating the wider societal impact of the surgical literature and could serve to promote greater public engagement in surgical research.

758 Online Surgical Journal Clubs: Are They Effective?

Aim Much of medical education has been abruptly forced online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Traditional journal clubs thrive on group interaction and debate. The aim of this project is to assess whether an online surgical journal club could replicate this experience and learning. Method A fortnightly, chat-based online surgical journal club with national reach was re-launched under SCALPEL (Manchester Medical School’s surgical society) with defined learning objectives, inclusion of studies from different surgical sub-specialities and a proforma to aid critical appraisal. Anonymous feedback forms were sent to participants to assess confidence in critically appraising the literature before and after attendance, and differences in means were analysed using paired t-test. Results 32 feedback forms from participants, the majority of whom were final year medical students (34.4%) were analysed. 28.1% had previously attended a journal club. 65.6% of attendees had prior involvement in a research project which led to a publication for 18.8%, while 59.4% were interested in applying for the Academic Foundation Programme (AFP). The self-reported confidence of participants to identify the study design, interpret the results and statistical analyses; and scrutinise the strengths and weaknesses of a study increased by 12.2%, 14.7% and 15.9% respectively (p = <0.001). Furthermore, 96.9% of attendees stated they would attend another online journal club in the future, with 59.4% favouring an online format. Conclusions Online surgical journal clubs are effective and are here to stay following the conclusion of social distancing. They have the advantage of further outreach and may encourage greater participation than traditional journal clubs.

Surgical Oncology in Romania: An Analysis of Research and Impact Based on Literature Search in PubMed and Web of Science

Background. With a long tradition and outstanding contributions over time, medical scientific research in Romania has experienced major changes in the last two decades, marked by an increase in scientific publications, originating especially from university centers and fostered by national regulations on publication standards required for professional promotion. This study is aimed at assessing the literature on surgical oncology in Romania, published by Romanian authors in journals indexed in international databases. Materials and Methods. A literature search was performed, focused on surgical oncology performed in Romania. Two databases, PubMed and Web of Science (WoS), were finally selected and included in the study, which included bibliometric parameters and subject analysis. Results. The PubMed search retrieved 464,295 articles being published in only 3 Romanian journals, Chirurgia, The Medical-Surgical Journal (Iasi), and Romanian Journal of Morphology and Embryology. The search of the Web of Science retrieved 494 records on the subject of surgical oncology in Romania, 449 of which were published after 1989. The 494 articles received 2,102 citations, 4.26 per year, and an overall Hirsch index of 21. Most articles were published in the same 3 Romanian journals as in PubMed. Neoplasms of the digestive system prevailed, followed by articles on general surgical oncology issues, cancer research, and therapy. Bucharest has the highest number of authors, followed by Cluj-Napoca and Iasi. Conclusion. Research originating from Romania in the field of surgical oncology is present and visible at an international level mainly through Romanian journals. Sustained effort is required from surgical oncology authors to be published in international journals on this subject, as it is the only way to increase global visibility and impact.

Irreducible anteromedial radial head fracture-dislocation: value of pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging

We describe a case of an anteromedial fracture-dislocation of the radial head in an adult patient, which was initially irreducible using closed means, and remained challenging to reduce despite open surgery. Further advanced CT/MRI revealed entrapment of the radial head due to the interposition of the brachialis tendon posteriorly, thereby preventing sustained reduction. While three other cases of irreducible anteromedial radial head dislocation due to the brachialis tendon have been reported in the English surgical literature, none of the imaging findings have been described in the radiological literature. Only one other case published in a surgical journal briefly demonstrated pre-operative MRI imaging. We would like to share the value of pre-operative MRI in this rare presentation, which would be helpful in diagnosing not only cases with interposition of the brachialis tendon, but potentially other types of soft tissue interposition which also limit closed reduction. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this would be the first report on the imaging findings in a radiological journal. Awareness of this phenomenon would assist radiologists in the diagnosis and management of this rare condition.

Obtaining and Sharing Medical Literature, 1780–1820

The quest for timely medical literature was a concern for elite as well as rural physicians in the United States, as evidenced by comments from Drs. Benjamin Rush of Philadelphia; Benjamin Vaughan of Hallowell, Maine; and Lyman Spalding of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It was the focus of an 1800 correspondence about the new cowpox (vaccination) between Barker and John G. Coffin of Boston who, in 1823, would found and edit the Boston Medical Intelligencer, precursor to the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, now the New England Journal of Medicine; smallpox inoculation is also discussed. Topics include obtaining and sharing medical books and journals, the importance of both personal correspondence and newspapers for dissemination of medical information, problems with and for booksellers, medical nationalism, and publishing by subscription.