JAMA
Peer-reviewed medical journal published by the American Medical Association.
JAMA (The Journal of the American Medical Association) is a peer-reviewed medical journal published 48 times a year by the American Medical Association. It publishes original research, reviews, and editorials covering all aspects of biomedicine. The journal was established in 1883, with Nathan Smith Davis as its founding editor, and it superseded the earlier Transactions of the American Medical Association. In its early decades, medical journals were similar to other forms of journalism, and publishing in JAMA was considered a privilege of membership in the AMA. Before the 1920s, the editor’s primary concern was simply filling the journal’s pages, but between the 1910s and the mid-1920s, submission volume increased enough to allow rejections based on quality, marking the start of a selective editorial process. Routine peer review was not formally institutionalized until after World War II. The journal acquired its current title, JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, in 1960. The publisher describes it as the most widely circulated general medical journal globally, with over 101,000 print recipients, more than 2.9 million recipients of electronic tables of contents and alerts, and over 29 million annual website visits. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo became editor-in-chief on July 1, 2022, succeeding Howard Bauchner. According to Journal Citation Reports, the journal’s 2025 impact factor is 65.4, ranking it 4th out of 336 journals in the category “Medicine, General & Internal.” JAMA Network reports that the journal accepts 10% of more than 11,500 annual submissions and 4% of more than 5,400 research manuscripts. The journal has also been involved in notable events, including the publication of an article by sitting U.S. President Barack Obama in 2016, which was not subject to blind peer review, and a 2021 controversy over a podcast and tweet regarding structural racism that led to the resignation of the deputy editor and the editor-in-chief.
Lore & Background
In the late nineteenth century, medical journals closely resembled other kinds of journalism, and publishing in JAMA was understood as a privilege of AMA membership. Prior to the 1920s, the editor's main concern was filling the journal, but between the 1910s and the mid-1920s JAMA entered the 'turndown era,' when submission volume was high enough to start rejecting submissions based on quality. The journal did not institutionalize routine peer review until after World War II.
Reader's Guide
JAMA has played a central role in the dissemination of medical research and clinical knowledge for over a century. Its high impact factor and wide circulation reflect its influence in shaping medical practice and policy. President Barack Obama—the first academic paper ever published by a sitting president—which was not subject to blind peer-review. Lundberg, which led to the creation of a journal oversight committee to ensure editorial independence. These episodes highlight the journal's role at the intersection of medicine, politics, and social issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is JAMA?
JAMA, short for The Journal of the American Medical Association, is a peer-reviewed medical publication released 48 times per year under the American Medical Association's banner. It covers the full spectrum of biomedical research and clinical practice.
What types of content does JAMA publish?
The journal features original research articles, review pieces, and editorial commentary spanning every area of biomedicine.
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