PCOM Launches Academic Journal Focused on Integrated Care
May 3, 2023
With an emphasis on reaching the entire spectrum of allied health professionals working
within primary care, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) is launching
its first peer-reviewed scientific journal, the Journal of Integrated Primary Care (JIPC).
Covering primary care, internal medicine, family medicine, nursing, behavioral health,
pharmacy, physical therapy, pediatrics, health education, healthcare administration
and social work, JIPC aims to grow the evidence base related to integrated primary care professional education,
practice and intervention.
“This combined topic, primary care with integrated care, is rarely considered by scientific journals,” said Jay S. Feldstein, DO '81, president and CEO of PCOM. “Yet, bringing these fields together is intrinsic to
the holistic approach to health care we, as a college, emphasize in our teaching.”
An open-access online journal, JIPC was spearheaded by editors-in-chief Robert A. DiTomasso, PhD, ABPP, dean of the School of Professional and Applied Psychology, and Michelle R. Lent, PhD, associate professor, and is designed to highlight the work of PCOM's integrated
primary care researchers as well as researchers around the world. DiTomasso and Lent
also envision the journal as an opportunity for student authorship and publication.
”Integrated treatment in primary care is patient-centered and can be both clinically
and cost-effective,” said Lent. “We hope that this new journal will spotlight the
incredible advantages of integrated care and add to the growing evidence base in support
of this approach.”
JIPC accepts original research papers, reviews, meta-analyses and case studies of interest
to primary care professionals at graduate schools, academic medical centers, public
health institutes, health systems, clinics, in private practice and working at health-related
community organizations. Journal content is intended to guide and inform the multidisciplinary
clinical care of primary care patients. There are no fees for publishing articles
selected for inclusion in the journal, following peer review.
DiTomasso and Lent say the launch of JIPC coincides with market factors—the expanding inclusion of allied health services within
primary care, and the documented cost savings associated with integrating physical
and behavioral health within primary care—that enable primary care providers to more
effectively treat the “whole” patient.
The field of primary care is continuing to expand treatment services through the integration
of a variety of healthcare professionals across disciplines, including physicians,
nurses and nurse practitioners, pharmacists, psychologists and behavioral health consultants,
peer specialists and social workers. Given the high patient volume and limited time
availability of many primary care physicians, an integrated care approach allows for
the consideration of essential social, behavioral and environmental educational domains
that can impact both the physical and mental health of patients.
The targeted readership includes primary care practitioners and academicians from
diverse disciplines, applied clinical researchers, health profession educators, and
healthcare administrators. The first issue of JIPC will be published this fall and follow a quarterly schedule. Each issue is expected
to contain four to five observational and experimental studies of integrated care
treatment approaches and best practices related to collaborative delivery models.
Of historical interest, from 1899 to 1913, the College published the Philadelphia Journal of Osteopathy. This quarterly publication shared early research as well as student, alumni and
event notes. It was a precursor to today's Digest Magazine, for PCOM alumni and friends, which has been published since 1927.
Learn more about the Journal of Integrated Primary Care.
Explore more of PCOM's research focus areas.
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About Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Founded in 1899, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands
of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists
who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms.
PCOM operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic
medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy and school psychology, and graduate degrees in
applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic
medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, non profit leadership
and population health management, organizational development and leadership, physician
assistant studies, school psychology, and public health management and administration.
PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service
to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care
to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
For more information, contact:
Daniel McCunney
Associate Director, News and Media Relations
Email: danielmc1@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6304 | Cell:
267-449-1360