SMJ 2005 50(3): 95
“A journal is a mirror reflecting the character and standards of its contributors and editors.”
These words, written by Professor RH Girdwood in the Health Bulletin in 1974, referred to the Scottish Medical Journal. At that time Professor Girdwood was Chairman of the Board of Management of the Journal. In January 1956, in the first issue of the SMJ, the Chairman, Professor Tom Anderson, said there is a place for a journal which on account of its national character will command the support of all four schools of medicine in Scotland. With the recent publication of a report by Calman on how we can integrate undergraduate medical education in Scotland and better deploy its workforce, and by Kerr on better integration and networking of medical services in Scotland it is appropriate that several articles in this issue of the SMJ illustrate how these philosophies are put into practise.
The new curriculum of problem-based learning taught in most of the medical schools in Scotland has been both praised and criticised over the way the new course tackles the teaching of anatomy. Most of the older generation, including myself, were brought up in the belief that ' . . he who does not dissect the dead will mangle the living!'. But with the advent of new technology, plasticised specimens, and computerised anatomy, some medical schools have totally done away with the science of anatomical dissection. However things change and I hope that the article on page 96 about anatomical teaching in Scotland will stimulate readers, young and old, to help revive interest in and teaching of anatomy in the medical schools in Scotland.
Case reports
This issue has published in full a number of peer-reviewed case reports. The reason is that these case reports were accepted for publication prior to our decision that new submissions will be peer-reviewed and will appear in an electronic format. This in no way demeans the value or credit when it comes to reporting one’s published work. If anything, it will speed up the processing of manuscripts. Please remember to keep abstracts to 200 words and manuscripts to 2,500 words. Titles should be kept short at 10-15 words.
Moving forward
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow has commissioned a new design for the Scottish Medical Journal. This design will integrate the College logo as a more prominent feature to indicate the greater involvement of the College in the Journal. After November 2005 The College Bulletin will become an electronic-based publication and the Scottish Medical Journal will be the only publication sent out by the College to all of its Fellows and Members in the UK. This will increase the circulation of the Journal by about 150%. We hope that a diary of College activities and events will be included in each issue of the Scottish Medical Journal.
The Jubilee issue
I would like to thank the two contributors who responded to my request for assistance in identifying key articles for the 'Jubilee Issue' next year. The first article suggested was one which transformed the understanding of myasthenia gravis and the second article concerned the management of patients who had heart attacks. I hope more key papers like these will be forthcoming in preparation for the ‘Jubilee Issue' in February 2006.
Acknowledgements and thanks
My thanks also go to Kay Byrne who co-ordinates the smooth running of the manuscripts, Frances Anderson, past Chief Librarian at Yorkhill Hospital, who helps with the organisation of peer-reviewing of the manuscripts and gives invaluable advice on impact factors etc, James Beaton, Librarian at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, who helps with the proof reading of the manuscripts and last, but not least, June Hopkinson, who produces the Journal.
Robert Carachi