This is a visual explainer based on the Wikipedia article on The New England Journal of Medicine. Read the full source article here. (opens in new tab)

The Journal of Medical Authority

A comprehensive exploration of The New England Journal of Medicine's enduring legacy and influence on global healthcare discourse.

Discover NEJM ๐Ÿ‘‡ Explore its Impact ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!


When you are ready...
๐ŸŽฎ Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game๐ŸŽฎ

Journal Overview

Scholarly Publication

The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) is a weekly peer-reviewed medical journal published by the Massachusetts Medical Society. Established in 1812, it is recognized as one of the most prestigious and influential medical journals globally.

Academic Standing

With a 2024 impact factor of 78.5, NEJM ranks second among 168 journals in the "Medicine, General & Internal" category. This high citation rate underscores its significant influence in disseminating medical research and clinical findings.

Global Reach

The journal publishes original research, reviews, and commentaries, making its content accessible to a worldwide audience of healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers. Its online platform extends its reach significantly.

Historical Trajectory

Foundational Years

The journal's origins trace back to September 1811, with a prospectus for the New England Journal of Medicine and Surgery and Collateral Branches of Science. The first issue appeared in January 1812, initially published quarterly.

  • 1812: First issue of New England Journal of Medicine and Surgery and the Collateral Branches of Medical Science.
  • 1828: Merged with Boston Medical Intelligencer to become the weekly Boston Medical and Surgical Journal.
  • 1928: Renamed to The New England Journal of Medicine, marking a significant rebranding.

Society Ownership

In 1921, the Massachusetts Medical Society acquired the journal for one US dollar. This transition solidified its institutional backing and commitment to advancing medical knowledge.

Digital Transformation

NEJM embraced digital publication early, launching its website in 1996. By 1998, it offered full-text access to articles from 1993 onwards, pioneering online access to medical literature.

  • 1996: Announcement of a new website publishing abstracts and full text of editorials, cases, and letters.
  • 1997: Introduction of prepublication releases online.
  • Ongoing: Development of features like Videos in Clinical Medicine, Interactive Medical Cases, and podcasts.

Influence and Recognition

Prestigious Standing

The journal's influence is recognized by accolades such as the George Polk Award in 1977, highlighting its growing prestige. Its consistently high impact factor places it at the forefront of medical publications.

Research Dissemination

NEJM is instrumental in disseminating groundbreaking research. Its articles often set standards and influence clinical practice, making it a critical resource for medical professionals worldwide.

Critical Perspectives

While highly influential, the journal's impact has also drawn criticism. Some analyses suggest that certain conclusions in published articles may not be fully supported by the evidence presented, or that the journal's influence may be disproportionate.

Landmark Publications

Anesthesia Breakthrough

In 1846, Henry Jacob Bigelow reported on the first public demonstration of ether anesthesia, revolutionizing surgical procedures by enabling pain management during operations.

Hematology Insights

James Homer Wright's 1906 article described bone marrow components, including megakaryocytes and platelets, contributing significantly to the understanding of hematopoiesis.

Neurology and Physiology

Charles-ร‰douard Brown-Sรฉquard's 1872 lecture proposed the concept of hemispheric influence on both sides of the body, laying groundwork for understanding lateralization and neurological syndromes.

Cancer Treatment Advances

Sidney Farber's 1948 report on temporary remissions in childhood leukemia using aminopterin marked an early success in chemotherapy. Brian Druker's 2001 article on BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors heralded the era of targeted cancer therapy.

Infectious Disease Reports

In December 1981, NEJM published early clinical descriptions of patients with what would become known as AIDS, providing critical initial documentation of the emerging epidemic.

Psychedelic Research

A 2021 study by Robin Carhart-Harris et al. compared psilocybin with escitalopram for depression, finding comparable antidepressant effects and opening new avenues for psychedelic research in mental health.

Key Policies

Ingelfinger Rule

The Ingelfinger rule mandates that articles published in NEJM must not have been previously published or released elsewhere. This policy aims to preserve the newsworthiness of findings and ensure peer review precedes public dissemination.

First described by editor Franz Ingelfinger in 1969, the rule is intended to maintain the integrity of research reporting. Exceptions are recognized, particularly when immediate public health implications warrant prepublication release of findings.

Open Access

NEJM provides immediate free access to articles deemed of global and public health importance on NEJM.org. It also partners with initiatives like Research4Life to grant access to low-income countries. For articles submitted after February 1, 2024, authors receive an Author Accepted Manuscript PDF for repository deposit.

Notable Controversies

Vioxx Publication Issues

In the early 2000s, NEJM faced scrutiny over the publication of research on the drug Vioxx. A 2000 study noted increased myocardial infarctions, but concerns were raised about the authors' disclosure of adverse events and potential conflicts of interest with Merck.

Despite early concerns raised in 2001, NEJM published an "Expression of Concern" in 2005 after discovering authors had knowledge of additional myocardial infarctions prior to publication. The journal's response and financial ties to Merck for reprints were criticized by other medical publications.

Political Editorial

In October 2020, NEJM published an editorial signed by all editors condemning the Trump administration's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. This marked a rare instance of the journal taking a public stance on political matters.

Opioid Crisis Citation

A 1980 letter published in NEJM, claiming addiction from opioid use was rare, was later described by the journal as "heavily and uncritically cited." This publication was reportedly used by pharmaceutical companies to promote opioid use, contributing to the ongoing addiction crisis.

Editorial Leadership

Past and Present Editors

The journal has been guided by distinguished editors throughout its history, shaping its content and editorial direction. The current editor-in-chief is Eric Rubin.

  • Walter Prentice Bowers (1921โ€“1937)
  • Robert Nason Nye (1937โ€“1947)
  • Joseph Garland (1947โ€“1967)
  • Franz J. Ingelfinger (1967โ€“1977)
  • Arnold S. Relman (1977โ€“1991)
  • Jerome P. Kassirer (1991โ€“1999)
  • Marcia Angell (1999โ€“2000)
  • Jeffrey M. Drazen (2000โ€“2019)
  • Eric Rubin (2019โ€“present)

Teacher's Corner

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Edit and Print Materials from this study in the wiki2web studio
Click here to open the "The New England Journal Of Medicine" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit

Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Learn about the_new_england_journal_of_medicine while playing the wiki2web Clarity Challenge game.
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!

Play now

Explore More Topics

Discover other topics to study!

                                        

References

References

  1.  Boston Patriot. September 28, 1811
A full list of references for this article are available at the The New England Journal of Medicine Wikipedia page

Feedback & Support

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not medical advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.