História resumida da Acta Cirúrgica Brasileira

Abstract

What is the truth about being an Editor of a Scientific Journal in Brazil? I am going to tell you about my 22 years of experience as an Editor. I have learnt a lot, and I wish to transmit the experience acquired in this position. When have I decided that I wanted to be an Editor of a scientific journal? My intention was clear and I had a specific target-the Experimental Surgery. The choice of a specific field was criticalthe Experimental surgery. I was the Coordinator of the UNIFESP Post-Graduation, Master and Doctorate Programs in Operative Technique and Experimental Surgery from 1982 to 1997. In so far as the theses were being concluded, they were published in clinical journals. Then, a mixture between clinical and experimental articles took place. I decided to create a journal that could gather the investigative articles in surgery, mainly in experimental surgery. A journal with such features did not exist at the time. It was a totally new experience. I have been thinking to name it Acta Cirúrgica Paulista (after the Paulista Medical School and São Paulo). Soon, I figured out that the journal should be nationwide rather than local. The Acta Cirúrgica Brasileira was born just like that. It became the official publication of the Brazilian Society for Development of Research in Surgery (SOBRADPEC) with 23 regional offices throughout the country. I tried harder to learn the Editor's profession. I got the hang of it. The beginning was hard. I have made many mistakes until I have become renowned. I have attended many courses at ABEC, I have literally fulfilled all the recommendations proposed by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (www.icmje.org). Likewise, I have fulfilled the determinations issued by SciELO, CNPq, and FAPESP, and eventually, the journal was accepted and approved by these very same institutions. Furthermore, the journal was also evaluated by Medline/ PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and ISI (Thomson Reuters), achieving a high grade at CAPES. The selection of the names to compose the Editorial Board and the Peer Reviewers was critical. I have tirelessly exerted myself to keep both graphic art and impression quality. From the beginning I sought to adopt and keep conventional standards regarding scientific publication. The time elapsed between submitting the manuscript and its publication was as lower as possible. The admission to SciELO increased the journal visibility and accessibility, as well as the journal selection for Medline indexing at NLM. Currently, the journal is consolidated, and it is internationally recognized by its peers. I consider that dedication and constant action were important in order to achieve the goals proposed. I am much obliged to you all by the supportive appreciations since the beginning of this journey. I am grateful to the authors by submitting their articles and to the CNPq due to its continuous financial