Twenty years ago, the Journal of Medical Toxicology (JMT) became the official print journal of the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT). At its inception, the journal aimed to become “an international, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to advance the science and practice of medical toxicology, a medical subspecialty focusing on the diagnosis, management, and prevention of poisoning/toxicity and other adverse health effects resulting from medications, chemicals, occupational and environmental substances, and biological hazards” [1]. This early vision by our first editor, Dr. Kevin Osterhoudt, was an ambitious statement for our small young medical specialty. Today, under the current leadership of Dr. Mark Mycyk and hard work of the entire Editorial Board, our journal is positioned exactly as intended.
Likewise, the vision of ACMT is “every patient and population benefits from the expertise of medical toxicologists” [2]. This is similarly ambitious to Dr. Osterhoudt’s vision. Nonetheless, as the Journal of Medical Toxicology has become more widely recognized with its expanding global reach and impact factor score, so too, have medical toxicologists, ACMT, and its individual members. The success of our specialty and the international prestige of our work is promulgated by JMT, allowing the aspiring vision of ACMT to flourish.
We recognize our vision is far from complete, yet ACMT continues to work toward that goal. Not only does our specialty affect change, JMT provides the opportunity to illustrate this value. High impact scholars on the editorial board elevate JMT by recruiting outstanding research studies and providing judicious oversight to the review process. Specifically, peer-reviewed literature published in JMT by Dr. Curry, Dr. King, and other investigators demonstrates medical toxicology has merit in providing better healthcare at a lower cost [3, 4]. More research is urgently needed in this arena, and JMT provides a venue to constructively critique and illustrate the worth of medical toxicologists to other stakeholders in healthcare, research, and policy. In addition, position statements are regularly published in JMT. These statements are invaluable, as they provide a platform to advance policies that improve the quality of health for our patients. For example, the increasing need for our expertise in addiction and withdrawal, along with our well-defined ability to treat patients with substance use disorder, is clearly articulated in this manner [5]. JMT is the conduit to provide a consequential and respectful voice for medical toxicologists.
In this landmark year, we reflect on our past efforts, enjoy our present successes, and plan for the future. JMT has and continues to play a critical role in advancing medical toxicology and quality care for all patients. Medical toxicology will continue to thrive and grow in our ever-changing healthcare landscape [6]. Thanks to the vision and energy of JMT’s entire Editorial Board, medical toxicologists will continue to have a recognized voice in this uncertain terrain. Realizing the combined visions of JMT and ACMT, we eagerly anticipate the future of medical toxicology, as we continue to have a positive impact on our patients and healthcare overall.
Funding
None.
Declarations
Conflict of Interest
The authors have the following to disclose: AP is currently the President of ACMT, LK is the past-President of ACMT, and PW is the Executive Director of ACMT.
Footnotes
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
References
- 1.Osterhoudt KC, Burkhart K. Back to the future: introducing the Journal of Medical Toxicology. J Med Toxicol. 2005;1(1):1–2. doi: 10.1007/BF03160897. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Vision Statement. In: American College of Medical Toxicology Strategic Plan 2024–2029. https://www.acmt.net/strategic-plan/. Accessed 15 Feb 2024.
- 3.Curry SC, Brooks DE, Skolnik AB, Gerkin RD, Glenn S. Effect of a medical toxicology admitting service on length of stay, cost, and mortality among inpatients discharged with poisoning-related diagnoses. J Med Toxicol. 2015;11(1):65–72. doi: 10.1007/s13181-014-0418-z. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 4.King AM, Danagoulian S, Lynch M, Menke N, Mu Y, Saul M, Abesamis M, Pizon AF. The effect of a medical toxicology inpatient service in an academic tertiary care referral center. J Med Toxicol. 2019;15(1):12–21. doi: 10.1007/s13181-018-0684-2. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 5.Stolbach AI, Mazer-Amirshahi M, Cienki J, Dye LR, Nelson LS, Marino R, Weiss ST, Warrick BJ, Wax PM. ACMT position Statement: role of the medical toxicologist in the management of patients with Substance Use Disorder. J Med Toxicol. 2023;19(4):411–3. doi: 10.1007/s13181-023-00945-3. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 6.Pizon AF, Kao L, Mycyk MB, Wax PM. Demand for Medical Toxicology Fellowship Training is at an All-Time High. J Med Toxicol. 2023;19(1):1–3. doi: 10.1007/s13181-022-00920-4. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]