Franz J. Ingelfinger
Encyclopedia
Franz Joseph Ingelfinger (August 20, 1910 – March 27, 1980) was a German-American physician
. He served as Chief of Gastroenterology
at Evans Memorial Department of Clinical Research, part of Boston University School of Medicine
. He also served as Editor of the New England Journal of Medicine
(NEJM) from 1967 to 1976. His work was influential in the field of science journalism
.
, Germany
. He came to the United States with his family in the early 1920s. Ingelfinger earned degrees from Phillips Andover Academy, followed by Yale University
in 1932 and Harvard Medical School
in 1936.
The Ingelfinger rule
is named after him. In 1969, one of Ingelfinger's first acts as editor of NEJM was to draw up rules for authors forbidding prior submission or publication of their work in other media. This stipulation for authors and the related press embargo were designed to ensure that the articles published were original and "newsworthy." It also helped prevent what later NEJM editors called science by press conference
, the practice of going directly to the media with scientific results rather than waiting for the peer review
process designed to check the work for errors and flaws.
He served as president of the American Gastroenterological Association
. In 1979 he was presented the George Kober Medal of the Association of American Physicians
, given to leaders in academic medicine, research and teaching. He died from complcations of esophageal cancer
in Boston, Massachusetts.
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
. He served as Chief of Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine whereby the digestive system and its disorders are studied. The name is a combination of three Ancient Greek words gaster , enteron , and logos...
at Evans Memorial Department of Clinical Research, part of Boston University School of Medicine
Boston University School of Medicine
Boston University School of Medicine is one of the graduate schools of Boston University. Founded in 1848, the medical school holds the unique distinction as the first institution in the world to formally educate female physicians. Originally known as the New England Female Medical College, it was...
. He also served as Editor of the New England Journal of Medicine
New England Journal of Medicine
The New England Journal of Medicine is an English-language peer-reviewed medical journal published by the Massachusetts Medical Society. It describes itself as the oldest continuously published medical journal in the world.-History:...
(NEJM) from 1967 to 1976. His work was influential in the field of science journalism
Science journalism
Science journalism conveys reporting about science to the public. The field typically involves interactions between scientists, journalists and the public, and is still evolving.-Aim of science journalism:...
.
Life and career
Ingelfinger was born in DresdenDresden
Dresden is the capital city of the Free State of Saxony in Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. The Dresden conurbation is part of the Saxon Triangle metropolitan area....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. He came to the United States with his family in the early 1920s. Ingelfinger earned degrees from Phillips Andover Academy, followed by Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in 1932 and Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School is the graduate medical school of Harvard University. It is located in the Longwood Medical Area of the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts....
in 1936.
The Ingelfinger rule
Ingelfinger rule
In scientific publishing, the Ingelfinger rule stipulates that a scientist may not publish the same original research in two different outlets. It was created in 1969 by Franz J. Ingelfinger, who at the time was editor of The New England Journal of Medicine , as an effort to prevent NEJM from...
is named after him. In 1969, one of Ingelfinger's first acts as editor of NEJM was to draw up rules for authors forbidding prior submission or publication of their work in other media. This stipulation for authors and the related press embargo were designed to ensure that the articles published were original and "newsworthy." It also helped prevent what later NEJM editors called science by press conference
Science by press conference
The term science by press conference is a phrase referring to scientists who put an unusual focus on publicizing results of research in the media. The term is usually used disparagingly...
, the practice of going directly to the media with scientific results rather than waiting for the peer review
Peer review
Peer review is a process of self-regulation by a profession or a process of evaluation involving qualified individuals within the relevant field. Peer review methods are employed to maintain standards, improve performance and provide credibility...
process designed to check the work for errors and flaws.
He served as president of the American Gastroenterological Association
American Gastroenterological Association
The American Gastroenterological Association "AGA" is a medical association of gastroenterologists. About 17,000 scientists and physicians are members of the organization.-Overview:...
. In 1979 he was presented the George Kober Medal of the Association of American Physicians
Association of American Physicians
The Association of American Physicians is a medical society founded in 1885 by the Canadian physician Sir William Osler and six other distinguished physicians of his era, for "the advancement of scientific and practical medicine." Election to the AAP is an honor extended to individuals with...
, given to leaders in academic medicine, research and teaching. He died from complcations of esophageal cancer
Esophageal cancer
Esophageal cancer is malignancy of the esophagus. There are various subtypes, primarily squamous cell cancer and adenocarcinoma . Squamous cell cancer arises from the cells that line the upper part of the esophagus...
in Boston, Massachusetts.