For the inaugural issue of Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology I wrote my Editorial on “Do we need yet another journal?” As I welcome fellow members of the American College of Gastroenterology to the readership, a review of why we need another journal in addition to The American Journal of Gastroenterology is relevant. In particular, as both journals are targeted at clinicians, the positioning and relevance of another journal for clinical gastroenterologists is pertinent.

I view Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology as a complementary publication, and not as a competitor of the 'red journal'. The ACG Board obviously has a similar viewpoint.

Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology has a significant number of international editorial advisors, which gives the journal a more international tone, but, as Editor-in-Chief, I work with the editorial office to ensure that the articles we publish are relevant to all readers, independent of an author's geographic location.

The mission of Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology is to provide clinicians with easy-to-read articles of the highest quality. The journal filters information from research journals (including The American Journal of Gastroenterology) and promotes the chronology of medical research by reporting, interpreting and offering informed opinions over time.

Each issue of the journal contains timely and topical articles that are organized into different sections. Research Highlights are short summaries of relevant articles published in other journals. Practice Points are unique articles that translate influential research papers into clinical practice. Viewpoints are authoritative and topical opinion articles or debates. Then there are the Review articles, of which there are several types. For example, Therapy Insights discuss the impact of medical conditions managed by physicians from other specialties. Drug Insights pertain to the mechanisms and applications of a drug or drug class. Technology Insights focus on advances in treatment and diagnostic equipment. Surgery Insights cover particular surgical procedures or techniques and discuss their advantages and limitations. Mechanisms of Disease articles look at the science underlying disease etiopathogenesis and treatment, and Primer articles give jargon-free explanations of clinical research methodologies and evidence-based medicine. Finally, there are Case Studies, which provide a thorough discussion of diagnosis and management, and give readers the opportunity to earn Category 1 Continuing Medical Education credits.

I look forward to [providing] the membership with the highest caliber of pertinent information that will impact on all of our practices

All journal content is peer-reviewed, with the exception of Editorials and the Research Highlights, which are written in house. In contrast to The American Journal of Gastroenterology, most articles are solicited, although the reputation and success of Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology has already stimulated the submission of a substantial number of unsolicited manuscripts and article ideas. All unsolicited manuscripts and article ideas are carefully considered by the editorial office to maintain both standards and a balance in subject area coverage. Indeed, we work with our expert Advisory Board to make certain that all aspects of the field are covered by the journal.

I want to conclude by adding my personal thanks to the ACG Board for adopting Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology and for giving the ACG membership the opportunity to read this complementary publication. As a longstanding member of the ACG, I look forward to fulfilling the commitment of Nature Clinical Practice Gastroenterology & Hepatology and Nature Publishing Group to provide the membership with the highest caliber of pertinent information that will impact on all of our practices.