Change in Editorialship

Founding Editors of Prosthetics and Orthotics International (from left to right): Professor John Hughes, Mr Ron G. Donovan, and Professor Norman A. Jacobs.

“Continuity gives us roots;

Change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights”

Pauline R. Kezer

Thank you!

A warm “Thank-you” to the founding editors of Prosthetics and Orthotics International, Professor Norman A. Jacobs, Professor John Hughes and Mr Ron G. Donovan, who launched the journal in 1977 as a successor to Prosthetics International (1964 – 1971). For the then newly established International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) establishing a platform for exchanging information and sharing professional experiences was a critical concern. In launching Prosthetics and Orthotics International the founding editors created such a platform: a medium that spans across all National Societies bringing together work within the field of prosthetics and orthotics for critical discussions. The combined effort of the retiring Editor and the outgoing Editorial board, as well as the many hundred authors and reviewers has created a journal that is well established in the field of rehabilitation.

Today, Prosthetics and Orthotics International has a wide readership characterised by its passion for prosthetics, orthotics and the related rehabilitation field. I am stepping into big shoes – but together with the new Associated Editors, we are a strong and dynamic team that is well equipped to face the responsibility. We would like to develop the journal further so that its scientific contribution to the discipline of P&O will be better recognised. We are assisted by a new equally strong Editorial Board whose members reflect the internationality of the society and represent a variety of different scientific subjects tightly connected with P&O.

What is new?

Manuscript Central: The most obvious change is the introduction of an automatic submission system, using Manuscript Central as the submission platform. The new platform is expected to streamline the submission method and thus the publication process in general. Manuscript Central will allow the authors, for example, to check the status of their paper(s) by themselves. For the reviewers, easy access to papers and corresponding resources will be available. And for the editorial team, keeping track of submitted papers, the reviewing process and printing status will be much easier.

Instructions for Authors: New, detailed instructions for authors have been set in place. Close adherence to these instructions will further facilitate the submission process. Papers not in line with these instructions will be sent back to the author(s) with the request for amendment.

Three distinct new sections: The journal format will incorporate three distinct sections to which papers can be submitted to: General Papers, Case Reports and Technical Reports. These sections will appear in each issue of the journal. We welcome contributions to each of them. Of course, letters to the Editors are also appreciated and will be published to the Editors' discretion.

These are exiting times and I would like to express my sincere appreciation towards the new Associated Editors and all new Editorial Board members for having agreed to participate in shaping a contemporary journal. Together, I am sure, we will be able to pay tribute to the legacy left by the outgoing Editor and his team by expanding the journal and thus increasing its impact on the field of P&O.

New Editorial Team (from left to right): Dr. Margrit-R. Meier, Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Dick H. Plettenburg, Associated Editor, Dr. Laurence Kenney, Associated Editor, Dr. Deirdre Desmond, Associated Editor.

In collaboration with the Associated Editors

Deirdre Desmond, PhD

Laurence Kenney, PhD

Dick H. Plettenburg, PhD