Policy Committee Meeting 9_28_2023

Publication Policy and Development Process

Publication Policy This document represents American Urogynecologic Society’s (AUGS’) overarching policy on the development and public dissemination of publications commissioned and/or created by society members on behalf of AUGS. The principles expressed are general by intent and provide for some flexibility. By way of definition, a Publication is any document (Guideline, Policy Statement, Editorial, Best Practice Statement, Joint or Consensus Statements, Systematic Review, Manuscript, etc.) developed by an AUGS taskforce, committee, network, registry or the PFD Research Foundation for publication or public dissemination. Publications generated through an AUGS-sponsored (supported) or AUGS organized volunteer structure are to be published on the AUGS Website and/or in FPMRS , the official journal of AUGS. Alternative journals or periodicals may be considered depending on the intended audience, but require approval by the Board prior to submission. All Publications must be reviewed and approved in their final form by the Board of Directors prior to submission for publication. Because acknowledgment may imply endorsement by acknowledged individuals, AUGS will require that all members of the writing group and related Committee complete a contributor agreement. It is the responsibility of AUGS staff to collate a list of contributors to a Publication and document their approval to be acknowledged in the Publication. chaired by the Guidelines Committee Chair. The process must include the following steps: 1) development by experts on the topic, 2) peer review by members outside the writing group, 3) legal review and 4) Board approval. Authorship on these documents will be based on the type of document that is being developed: • Policy Statements – issued by the Board • Position Statements – approved (issued) by the Board • Best Practice Statement or Guideline – individuals contributing to the document may be listed • Systematic Review or Manuscript – individuals contributing to the document will be acknowledged as the authors • Joint or Consensus Statements – acknowledgement will be determined at the onset by the AUGS board and the partnering organizations. Research Network and Registry Project Manuscripts – AUGS-funded research network and registry manuscripts will follow their own process for development and finalization. This process will be consistent amongst all networks and registries and must include a review outside of the writing group and Board approval of the final version. Authorship on these documents will follow the ICMJE guidelines for authorship and those of the journal. Statements and Guidelines – These documents will follow a process for development and finalization as approved by the Board. This process will be administrated and coordinated by AUGS staff and will be