Inside AFP

Peer Review Ensures Continued AFP Quality

Joyce A. Merriman

Clinical review articles published in AFP go through a rigorous peer review process before they are accepted for publication. This type of review process is one of the hallmarks of a highly respected, accurate, credible publication. Every clinical review article is scrutinized by several reviewers, including at least two family physicians. Last year, 425 reviewers donated their time by reviewing at least one AFP article.

Editor Jay Siwek, M.D., oversees the review process and conducts a preliminary review of every manuscript submitted. If he determines that the manuscript merits acceptance into the peer review system, he sends it to selected reviewers. They methodically evaluate the manuscript, which often requires hours of research and effort. The reviewers’ detailed evaluations and commentaries are returned to Dr. Siwek, who determines whether the manuscript is worthy of further consideration. Because of the substantial amount of time a review may require, AFP reviewers may receive up to two Prescribed credits per review. That, and our sincere thanks, are small compensation for their contributions to ensuring AFP’s continued quality.

The reviewers listed below are those who completed article peer reviews during 2005. We thank them for their contributions to AFP.