Chief Cushie ~MaryO~ Posted November 12, 2004 Chief Cushie Report Share Posted November 12, 2004 Endocrine Society Urges NIH to Delay Public Access Plan CHEVY CHASE, Md., Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The Endocrine Society today asked the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to delay implementation of its plan to enhance public access to scientific research. While The Endocrine Society supports the concept of open access, it cannot support the NIH's proposal, as it raises several concerns and questions that must be addressed before any new policy can be applied. In a letter sent to NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D., The Endocrine Society shared several concerns regarding the NIH plan. "We not only support free access to literature," writes Endocrine Society President Anthony Means, Ph.D., "we have invested our financial resources in developing and implementing definitive Web technology to accomplish this." The Society currently makes all accepted manuscripts from its four peer- reviewed journals immediately available, without charge, to the public through its Web site. All of the Society's final published content also becomes available, free-of-charge, after 12 months. The Endocrine Society's letter notes that the NIH plan duplicates existing resources; uses an untested publishing model; and leaves several unanswered questions regarding costs and measurements. The Society also conveys disappointment that in developing its plan for public access, the NIH failed to consult with established members of the scholarly publishing community, many of whom have advocated for NIH funding increases in recent years. "The Endocrine Society is gravely concerned about the effect this wholesale shift in policy will have on the publishing models of the scholarly publishing community," notes the letter. While the NIH calls for publicly funded scientific research to be freely available after six months, it has not shared the methodology and data used to establish this timeframe. A majority of journal publishers have determined that a 12-month free access policy is more sustainable than a six-month policy. The Endocrine Society also points out the NIH's failure to provide information about how it will assess the effectiveness of its policy and monitor its impact on stakeholders. "We urge the NIH not to implement this proposal until sufficient data are collected to gauge the impact -- economic and otherwise -- of such a policy," said Dr. Means who offered to work with the NIH to revise their plan. "We suggest there are other models that the NIH can use to promote open availability of scientific information and manage its research portfolio, and we would be happy to be part of a process to develop such models." Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world's oldest, largest, and most active organization devoted to research on hormones, and the clinical practice of endocrinology. Today, The Endocrine Society's membership consists of over 11,000 scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in more than 80 countries. Together, these members represent all basic, applied, and clinical interests in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society is based in Chevy Chase, Maryland. To learn more about the Society, and the field of endocrinology, visit our web site at http://www.endo-society.org SOURCE The Endocrine Society CO: Endocrine Society; NIH; National Institutes of Health ST: Maryland SU: EXE Web site: http://www.endo-society.org http://www.prnewswire.com 11/12/2004 10:22 EST Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynneC Posted November 13, 2004 Report Share Posted November 13, 2004 All that double-talk doesn't explain why they don't want the NIH to go public on their findings so the rest of us can be informed. They afraid they're going to miss out on a few bucks? I don't get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Over 2000 Posts Kristy Posted November 13, 2004 Over 2000 Posts Report Share Posted November 13, 2004 I don't think it is about us. I think it is about donor fees, funds, grants, symposia, abstracts, speaker fees, and fame, not to mention admiration from friends and colleagues. Sadly, we have a few doctors who have forgotten why they are doctors. My uncle is a doctor - quite a surgeon amongst his colleagues, and he is quick to tell me all of the papers he has spent his lifetime on... and the lectures and the travels.... but I wondered as he once talked with me about his personal accomplishments amongst his colleagues... if he felt the same pride when he put humpy dumpty back together again... if he felt that same glow when he put shattered limbs, flesh, and soul back together again. Mother called me last week to tell me that my uncle was so upset, that he couldn't ski anymore, he tore his retina. I can't ski - too weak. Wonder if he can operate anymore. God thing? I went to a Healthcare Design Conference last week and had a blast listening to the case studies presented by design professionals solving problems in our hospitals and healthcare facilities. These people have the patients, doctors, and hospital staff as primary focus. It was like... here is the problem, and here are our constraints, and this is how we solved it and look at the result Whoo Hoo! The breakouts presented by the academia though... I wonder about those published studies. (Skeptic) But... I have a medical library card... and am glad to use it for you! Just ask! There is always another way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Over 2000 Posts DebMV Posted November 13, 2004 Over 2000 Posts Report Share Posted November 13, 2004 What's funded by the public ought to be made open to the public. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherylr Posted November 13, 2004 Report Share Posted November 13, 2004 Amen to that Deb!! If it comes from taxpayer money, it should be available to any taxpayer. I don't get it either. kristy-maybe there is a "smoking gun" somewhere in that medical library! Wouldn't that be a hoot!! Love, Sheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Over 2000 Posts LorrieI Posted November 14, 2004 Over 2000 Posts Report Share Posted November 14, 2004 All about the $$$$$$$ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.