Abstract
The RSM is a centre of excellent medical education where much of specialist interest emanates from section meetings and of general interest from the named/general lectures and the innovation and breakfast sessions organized by the Development Office. However, virtually none of this information is currently being reported in our Journal. Indeed, a search of the May and June editions of the JRSM failed to reveal any mention of our in-house activities – only a note of future events. I find this sad and do not believe that I am alone in wishing to see at least a partial return to the days and style of the ‘Proceedings’. I do realize that at 82 one tends to look backwards – but I appreciate that change is not always for the worse, and I am pleased to hear that the Editor is willing to consider publishing short articles based on section meetings. With Editorial Representatives for virtually all our sections, it really should be possible for the Editor to be asked to publish précis of meetings that have either a special or a general interest.
Likewise, a succinct digest of the content of some of the major/named lectures should also be published. With seven editorial staff listed in the Journal may I suggest that one of these could be asked to attend and to record these valuable and interesting presentations? Alternatively, perhaps one or more Honorary Editorial Secretaries should be appointed to do this work? Video recordings are being made of some of these lectures, but viewing the small screen is not the same as reading a short well-condensed précis.
The Retired Fellows Newsletter, which is a very worthwhile publication, devotes about a half of each edition to reports of its activities, and the other half to articles of general interest. I would like to see the JRSM adopt this format. I wonder if there are like-minded readers.
To see the Editor's response, see page 343.
Footnotes