www.smj.org.uk
Changes at the Scottish Medical Journal
SMJ 2002; 47(1) 3
Taking over as editor after the job had been done so well for such a long time by someone as well respected and well liked as Charles Forbes was slightly daunting. Charles has edited the Scottish Medical Journal for 20 years during which time it has retained its aim of publishing articles of interest to the whole of the medical population in Scotland and beyond. Since becoming involved in putting the journal on the Internet just over a year ago, I have had emails from Holland, USA and Australia with enquiries about published articles. Recently there have been submissions from China and Croatia. My primary aim in taking over the editorship is to maintain the standard set by Charles. I also aim to ensure the Scottish Medical Journal remains a Scottish journal. To that end I would like to hear from any specialist who would be interested in becoming a reviewer. Any interested party can email me on guy@smj.org.uk including their address and their area of specialisation.
There are other changes afoot. Last year Roche withdrew its sponsorship of the journal which has resulted in the management group to look at the most cost efficient way of publishing the SMJ. One possibility was to increase the use of the Internet which may actually increase the readership. In a recent editorial in the BMJ, Richard Smith discussed the reading practices of doctors.
1 One suggestion is that decreasing the volume of the journal published on paper, whilst putting more on the Internet, may increase the amount of the journal which is actually read. From this month the Scottish Medical Journal is changing along the lines discussed in the BMJ.Later this year I intend to publish all 'Original Articles' and 'Case Reports' in abstract form on paper and in full text on the Internet (www.smj.org.uk). My intention is that contributors should submit their research and include an extended abstract of 250 words which will be published on paper (see Guide to Authors). All Editorials, Comments and Historical articles will be published in full in both formats. All abstracts from societies will be published on paper. The publishing of the journal on the Internet will hopefully improve accessibility of the journal to all doctors throughout the world and make it easier for us to retain articles of interest. The Internet has other advantages. This year I am going to introduce a service which will email the content of the journal to any doctor wishing the service. If you are interested please email me on guy@smj.org.uk.
I hope these changes meet with your approval. I will be interested to hear your views.
Guy Fletcher
Editor
R e f e r e n c e
1 Smith R. The BMJ: moving on. Br Med J 2002; 324: 5-6