COVID-19 has forced the world to adapt in more ways than one. Medicine, at the forefront of change, has left many healthcare workers and physician organizations uncertain about the future. We spoke about these newfound complexities, rapid changes and the new direction of medical education with the nonprofit organization, American College of Spine Surgery.
“The current COVID-19 world of academic conferences is changing in step with the increasing online presentation, exchange and discussion of medical research and latest developments,” Anthony Dwyer, M.D. said.
Dr. Dwyer, a board member of American College of Spine Surgery and editor-in-chief of Back Bone Journal has been immersed in both the clinical and the academic sides of spine surgery throughout his career.
He underscored the importance of an online publication for the present and the future, citing how Back Bone reaches a large audience through its affiliation with the University of California and is equipped for technological and societal progress.
“As an open access online journal, Back Bone is established and provides the opportunity for meeting these requirements with online discussion between the authors and the readers, as well as providing the earliest publication,” according to Dr. Dwyer.
This platform brings together knowledge from spine and neurosurgeons, innovative concepts in surgery and a seasoned editorial board. Despite the strong presence of American College of Spine Surgery’s journal, Dr. Dwyer still believes in fostering communication between researchers and readers.
“The publication of an academic spine article should not be the final word on that subject and it is hoped that interested readers will take up the challenge of creating an online dialogue with authors,” he emphasized.