PEDIATRICS Vol. 105 No. 3 March 2000, pp. 640-641

COMMENTARY:
The First Video-Based Study in Pediatrics

Despite its many virtues (durability, portability, and readability, to list a few), a paper-based journal cannot show motion or convey sound. When we received Dr Rich's article¹ on video intervention and prevention in asthma, published as the lead article in this month's issue of Pediatrics, it became apparent to us that we needed to cross yet another border on the electronic frontier, and integrate the presentation of videos into the journal.

There is a paper-based presentation of the videos, which consists of still frames selected by the authors and editors. These frames are intended to represent a meaningful sequence within each video, to convey some of the content while also providing a useful index of the materials within the archive.

Of course, the on-line version of the journal (available at www.pediatrics.org) is where each video can be seen in its entirety. In the on-line version, the videos are presented as figures in the text, but clicking on the figure will begin the viewing process. To view a video, simply click on the appropriate links. You will need to have a program called Apple QuickTime (Version 4.0 or higher) on your computer. If you don't already have this program on your computer (it is very common), it can be downloaded from a link we are placing in the Help section of the Pediatrics site. If you are unsure whether you have QuickTime installed, clicking on a video will make your Web browser software look for the program, and it will tell you whether you have QuickTime installed. Many browsers also will help you find and download the software quickly, if you don't already have it. (For Web-savvy readers, this means that the videos are presented in QuickTime 4.0, and should load seamlessly if your browser supports that plug-in.)

Each video is less than 1 minute long, partly to ensure that file download times over the Internet are not excessive. If you have a slow connection to the Internet, you may want to download the files during off-peak Web traffic times (nonbusiness hours). If you are an international subscriber, please check to see if we are currently providing enhanced service to your country via our intl.pediatrics.org site. If so, please download the videos from this site for best results.

We have also modified our instructions to authors to include instructions for submitting videos with their studies, if appropriate. Video submissions will be peer-reviewed along with the text of the article, and superfluous video presentations will be rejected. Videos should be integral to the study, and present information that is enriched by video. Of course, the study itself will be considered as an overall work, as well.

We are intrigued by the possibilities video creates for presenting findings that might seem less convincing if only described or merely be curious and puzzling unless seen. For certain studies, the potential to show and tell may be of significant value. We are pleased we can now support these instances via the on-line version of Pediatrics.

Kent R. Anderson^*
American Academy of Pediatrics
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

Jerold F. Lucey, MD
Pediatrics Editorial Office
Fletcher Allen Health Care
Burlington, VT 05401

FOOTNOTES

^* Kent R. Anderson is the Director of the Division of Medical Journals and Professional Periodicals at the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Jerold F. Lucey, MD, is the Editor-in-Chief of Pediatrics.

Received for publication Jan 6, 2000; accepted Jan 6, 2000.

Reprint requests to (J.F.L.) Pediatrics Editorial Office, Fletcher Allen Health Care, McClure 718, 111 Colchester Ave, Burlington, VT 05401.

Address correspondence to Kent R. Anderson, American Academy of Pediatrics, 141 Northwest Point Blvd, PO Box 927, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007.

REFERENCE

1. Rich M, Lamola S, Amory C, Schneider L. Asthma in life context: video intervention/prevention assessment (VIA). Pediatrics. 2000;105:469-477