The principal purpose of the Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association is to publish worthy scientific articles of interest to the physicians of Oklahoma. It is also the objective of the Journal to publish articles that advance the education, competence, social awareness, ethical practice or public responsibility of Oklahoma physicians. In addition, the Journal may publish articles discussing political issues directly affecting the healthcare industry and news of the Oklahoma State Medical Association and Alliance activities. The Journal may also provide a forum in print for members of the OSMA to express opinions on matters of interest to Oklahoma physicians.

In order to preserve the integrity and quality of the Journal, all scientific and controversial articles are peer-reviewed before publication, and efforts are made to balance viewpoint articles for fairness. Articles reflecting partisan politics, sectarian religion, private agendas, personal publicity promotions or defamatory and/or inflammatory remarks are not appropriate for publication in the Journal. All manuscripts and advertisements are reviewed and screened for such material. The American Medical Association's published editorial guidelines and the AMA Principles of Medical Ethics are used as standards.

The OSMA is the publisher of the Journal. The Journal is published monthly under the direction of the OSMA Board of Trustees. The OSMA Board of Trustees is empowered under the Bylaws to appoint a Journal Editorial Board of three Editors with three-year staggered terms, one of whom is designated as the Editor-in-Chief, and a variable number of Associate Editors each with a one-year term. Any Editor or Associate Editor may be reappointed by the Board of Trustees without limitation.

The OSMA and the Board of Trustees vest in the Editor-in-Chief the duty and responsibility to administer the Publication Policy of the Journal, and the Editor-in-Chief, with the advice and assistance of the Editorial Board and the Managing Editor, determines the content, layout, and composition of each issue of the Journal. Changes or amendments to the Publication Policy must be approved by the Board of Trustees and shall be effective only after reasonable prior written notice is given to the Editorial Board and the Editor-in-Chief. Any such changes shall not apply to issues of the Journal which have previously been submitted by the Journal Editorial Board for publication but shall only apply to subsequent issues of the Journal.

—Adopted by the OSMA Board of Trustees, January 21, 1996