Peleg R, Shvartzman P. "Where should family medicine papers be published - Following the impact factor? " JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF FAMILY MEDICINE 19 (6): 633-636 NOV-DEC 2006

[Eugene Garfield]

E-mail Addresses: pelegr at bgu.ac.il 

Title: Where should family medicine papers be published - Following the 
impact factor? 

Author(s): Peleg R (Peleg, Roni), Shvartzman P (Shvartzman, Pesach) 

Source: JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF FAMILY MEDICINE 19 (6): 633-636 
NOV-DEC 2006 

Document Type: Editorial Material 
Language: English 
Cited References: 15      Times Cited: 0        

Abstract: Academic institutions weigh the research contribution of family 
physicians and take this factor into account when determining eligibility 
for the candidates' promotion. Among other parameters, these institutions 
consider the journals in which family physicians publish. In this respect, 
the impact factor ( IF) has gained a foothold as one of the most accepted 
means to measure this contribution. The IF may be a measure of the main 
importance of a scientific journal. IF has a huge, but controversial, 
influence on the perception and evaluation of published scientific 
research. It is important for family physicians to understand and be aware 
of the importance of the IF and the way it is calculated. The IF is one 
consideration in the decision-making process of a researcher as to where to 
publish because the IF of most family medicine journals is less than 2.0. 
Thus publication in these journals might not yield the proper "score" for 
academic promotion in many institutions. On the other hand, publication in 
journals with higher IF that are not necessarily widely read by primary 
care physicians could result in a small impact of their findings on direct 
patient care. 

Addresses: Peleg R (reprint author), Ben Gurion Univ Negev, Dept Family 
Med, Fac Hlth Sci, POB 653, IL-84105 Beer Sheva, Israel
Ben Gurion Univ Negev, Dept Family Med, Fac Hlth Sci, IL-84105 Beer Sheva, 
Israel
Ben Gurion Univ Negev, Sial Family Med, Fac Hlth Sci, IL-84105 Beer Sheva, 
Israel
Ben Gurion Univ Negev, Primary Care Res Ctr, Fac Hlth Sci, IL-84105 Beer 
Sheva, Israel

E-mail Addresses: pelegr at bgu.ac.il 

Publisher: AMER BOARD FAMILY MEDICINE, 2228 YOUNG DR, LEXINGTON, KY 40505 
USA 
Subject Category: Medicine, General & Internal 
IDS Number: 103AY 

ISSN: 1557-2625 

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